Posted 2 years ago
dpauld
(32 items)
Found this vintage Goodyear Precision-Built DeLuxe Model Sewing Machine at a garage sale today! I have found several Precision-Built machines (by Universal), but none with the Goodyear logo. Were sewing machines custom-manufactured for specific companies? I do not know the year it was made. The serial number is SK-79730, I haven't been able to find a resource for checking serial numbers on this machine. There was a Texas Senate Campaign fingernail file in the accessory bin that stated "Relect Hill Hudson to State Senate". He was a Texas Senator from 1949-1953....maybe this is the general time period of manufacture? If anyone has information they can share, it would be greatly appreciated!
Hi, dpauld. :-)
Good sleuthing on that fingernail file. That might be as close as you'll get on dating your machine, because insofar as I know, there are no databases of serial numbers for what are called Japanese clone sewing machines.
I did find one near-twin Goodyear Precision Built Deluxe sewing machine:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-goodyear-precision-built-1852367646
The differences between the one at Worthpoint and yours are that the Goodyear name is in black on a rectangular gold background and the gold decal border on the bed seems a touch more elaborate.
What's very interesting to me is not merely the Goodyear name, but that it appears to be painted or applied via decal onto the machine and that there are holes on either side, suggesting that at some point there was something bolted/screwed there. Either that, or the holes are a casting remnant of a time when something would have been bolted/screwed there.
I would think that a big outfit like Goodyear would have had a legal hissy fit if anybody dared use their name without their permission.
There was a "Goodyear" sewing machine company, but it was Goodyear & McKay and they specialized in shoe making:
*snip*
Goodyear & McKay Sewing Machine Company 140, Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts
*snip*
http://needlebar.org/main/makers/usa/index.html#g
Charles Goodyear Jr. was actually kin to the Goodyear tire giant:
https://dp.la/exhibitions/shoe-industry-massachusetts/inventors?item=1692
https://dp.la/exhibitions/shoe-industry-massachusetts/inventors/charles-goodyear-jr
When you say that the other Precision Built DeLuxe sewing machines you've found were made by Universal, do you mean that they have a little plaque like this?:
https://sewingiscool.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/The-Universal-Sewing-Machine-Company.jpg
If so, that's actually a U.S. trademark for the Standard Sewing Equipment Corporation:
https://tsdrsec.uspto.gov/ts/cd/casedocs/bundle-download.pdf?rn=523537
You can see that it was in use starting in 1948, but there's not a breath of mention about the Standard Sewing Equipment Corporation's foreign affiliations.
Here's a 1951 document that names a few names (and a design patent):
https://casetext.com/case/barclay-co-v-necchi-sewing-mach-sales-corp
Here's a document from 1955 when Standard Sewing Equipment Corporation got into some hot water over their imports:
https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/commission_decision_volumes/volume-51/ftcd-vol51july-june1955pages1012-1113.pdf
Your machine (and the one at Worthpoint) are Japanese 'clones' of Singer model 15, specifically the model 15-90.
I call out the 15-90, because these 'clones' seem to have belt driven motors:
http://needlebar.org/main/15chart/
However, the casting is more 'square' than the Singer model 15, suggesting that the Japanese maker was already busy changing the last to suit their taste/needs.
If you're curious about the actual maker, you could examine the underside for clues, e.g., JC/JA numbers:
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/jajc-numbers-9835916?&trail=50
I'm afraid I don't have any answers for you on the Goodyear mystery.
If you need a manual, probably the one for the 15-90 or the generic 15 manual would help:
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/singer-sewing-machine-manual-model-15-90.pdf
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/ha-1-ib-wgh-instruction-manual.pdf
Ya know, perhaps I overlooked this question, because it seemed like you already knew a few things about vintage sewing machines:
"Were sewing machines custom-manufactured for specific companies?"
Are you familiar with the practice known as "badging?":
*snip*
In the 1890 to 1940 period there was a fad with large retailers and mail order houses to sell "own brand" sewing machines.
To do this they entered into contracts with established sewing machine manufacturers who would supply standard models but with the name of choice substituted for the normal brand name.
ISMACS has records of nearly 5000 such "exclusive" names produced by half a dozen makers during this period.
The situation is further confused in that retailers might switch makers at the end of a contract period and the same name would then appear on a completely different machine by another manufacturer.
Shortly after WW2 the new Japanese sewing machine industry, funded by US aid, flooded machines into America and Europe.
Distributors in those countries gave them various western-sounding names to help sales.
*snip*
https://ismacs.net/faq.html
That still doesn't explain a badge name like "Goodyear," however.
Thank you, keramikos! I am not very familiar with sewing machines and only have this one because it was $5 at a garage sale lol.... I just liked the way it looked and figured someone else might want it for a few dollars more than I paid for it.
The info you sent is extremely helpful - I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into your response! I'll definitely download a copy of the 15-90 manual to put with it! Thanks again!!
dpauld, You're welcome. :-)
The "Goodyear" name on it remains a mystery.
BTW, don't get the idea that the term "Japanese clone" is some kind of slur or an indication of poor quality.
Many knowledgeable people are fans, because the Japanese took the basic designs and improved them:
https://www.quiltingroomwithmel.com/2017/01/singer-15-clone-vintage-sewing-machines.html
One of the users at the victoriansweatshop forum has some interesting theories about the Japanese acquisition of the Singer blueprints:
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1312658359&postcount=354&forum=501752
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/show_single_post?pid=1312659848&postcount=356&forum=501752
It's probably true that Singer wasn't overly concerned at the time, because back in the mid-1940s, they were working on their new slant-needle machine which they thought was going to be the bee's knees:
https://www.singer301.com/about/default.html