Posted 7 months ago
Lediva
(1 item)
This belonged to my mother in law and it has been passed along to us - it will end up with my daughter.
Just interested in knowing more about this machine. I’m thinking around 1950-ish? Or is it later ?
I am yet to see if it still works. Although I have been told it is working fine.
Just very curious. Thankyou for any information.
Welcome to C W ! You should get some answers here.
Hi, Lediva. :-)
Yup, I'd say that you're on the right track with your estimate of 1950s-vintage.
This sewing machine head appears to be a classic Singer model 15 clone, and the "JA-12" on the underside pegs it as having been made by Brother (scroll down):
https://www.doubleveil.net/zssmp/resources.htm#jajc
About Brother:
https://www.brother-usa.com/home/sewing-embroidery/history
Your MiL's machine does have its interesting aspects. The JA-12 seems to have been stamped into the body, that is, not stamped with ink on the surface, but rather stamped using a machine that used sufficient force to make impressions into metal.
"Universal" was a name trademarked by the Standard Sewing Equipment Corporation, a USA business entity that imported sewing machines and accessories:
https://tsdr.uspto.gov/documentviewer?caseId=sn71566249&docId=ORC20060310230440#docIndex=0&page=1
However, I also see that the motor seems to have been made in Brisbane, Australia. Hmmm.
I'm linking this post to the Victorian Sweatshop forum to see what the serious vintage sewing machine enthusiasts there might have to say about it:
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/universal-badged-singer-model-15-clone-with-a-ja12-stamp-13369422
In the meantime, here is a generic Singer HA-1 15 Class manual that should give you decent usage guidance:
https://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/manuals/ha-1-ib-wgh-instruction-manual.pdf
Hi again, Lediva. :-)
I just thought I'd look up that address on the motor, because sometimes old addresses yield some interesting tidbits.
Unfortunately, the area surrounding 329 Adelaide St., Brisbane seems to have been entirely rebuilt, and that address has long since been swallowed up by a high-rise for student housing accomodations.
However, a Google Books e-version of an issue of The Australian Sugar Journal reveals that back in 1921, that address seems like it might have been in an industrial neighborhood, and housed a company called Gardner, Waern, & Co. I shouldn't be surprised to learn that the neighborhood was still industrial in the 1950s.
Neither should I be surprised to learn that your MiL's sewing machine still works.
The term "Japanese clone" is a bit misleading, because it suggests some kind of inferior copy.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the Japanese manufacturers didn't just copy the Singer model 15, they went on to improve it.
Cyndy Kitt had some interesting things to say about Japanese HA-1 sewing machine heads:
https://cyndykitt.com.au/machines/info-J-HA1.htm
So the information I gave you earlier about Universal being a USA trademarked name might be a bit of a red herring.
Some Australian maker might well have just decided to use that name as a badge without bothering themselves about some USA trademark.
Sewing machine companies have historically sued the pants off of each other, and in fact there was a business entity name the Universal Sewing Machine Company that sued the Standard Sewing Equipment Corporation:
https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/universal-sewing-mach-co-890139061
I'm considering adding your machine to the JA/JC topic at the Victorian Sweatshop, if you'll permit me to copy your pictures:
https://www.victoriansweatshop.com/post/jajc-numbers-9835916
Oops:
"Some Australian maker"
Should read:
"Some Australian retailer"
Anyway, one thing I've neglected to mention thus far is that medallion on the pillar.
Google Lens hasn't turned up any twins.
Because it has trademark language on it, I tried searching the Australian trademark database. No joy.
The British trademark database was down for maintenance when I tried checking it, so I'll have to check it again after it returns to service.
That crown on it is interesting.
Something else of interest:
*snip*
In the US and Australia, trade mark registration can protect a business name, logo, slogan or anything else that differentiates your business’s goods and services from others. However, a trade mark you registered with the US Patents and Trademarks Office (USPTO) will not enjoy protection in Australia unless you apply for additional protection.
*snip*
https://trademark-registration.com.au/uncategorised/trade-mark-registered-in-us-valid-in-australia/
So that's in addition to the trouble the Standard Sewing Equipment Corporation had with the Universal Sewing Machine Company.
It's actually a bit comical that anybody would try to trademark a word like "Universal."
Well, the British trademarks database is back up, but no joy.
You can search by images; however, not by uploading one.
I think I was on the right track, because I did find trademarks for Willcox & Gibbs, Singer, and Pfaff, e.g.:
https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00000002512
https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00000613289
https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00000741387
They did seem sorted on age, with Willcox & Gibbs being the oldest at 1876; however, the oldest Singer trademark image they had was 1940, and the oldest Pfaff was 1955. Hmmm.
Nevertheless, I worked my way through the next few pages of results (there were 33), but by the time I got to the end of the third page, I was up to 1984, so I don't think it's in there.
Hi again, Lediva. :-)
I contacted Cyndy Kitt about your Universal-badged sewing machine head, and she said:
"It would have been exported as a naked cleanskin and then finished and furnished with Aus branding, motor and carry box by Universal. I would date it between 1955-65."
That 'trademark' medallion on the pillar, and thus the identity of the retailer, remains a mystery. :-(
I was able to upload a cropped, brightened, and contrast-enhanced copy of the pillar medallion to the Australian trademark database and conduct a search for it, but no joy.
I went back into the Australian trademark database, performed a search for the term "Universal" and Class 7 (which includes sewing machines), and got 130 returns.
I only saw two with any promise.
The first is one for which I've actually seen the logo before, but it appears to be German-owned:
https://search.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademarks/search/view/278801?s=036ce9e5-4a4b-40b9-8294-ac936b344313
The other one is "UNIVERSAL SEWING MACHINE." That sounds like the USA business entity that sued Standard Sewing Equipment Corporation:
https://search.ipaustralia.gov.au/trademarks/search/view/308529?s=036ce9e5-4a4b-40b9-8294-ac936b344313
Unfortunately, there is no history for the latter trademark, and it sounds like it was never registered.
Cyndy Kitt suggested that the "NM" on the pillar badge/medallion might stand for "Nippon Machine" which, given the JA-12 Brother stamp on the bed, would be a correct characterization.
I think I've reached the stage of diminishing returns on finding out anything more about this machine.
I feel like there 'have' to be twins out there, but they're probably still hidden in cellars, attics, and storage sheds.
I'd still like to add yours to the Victorian Sweatshop post about vintage JA/JC Japanese sewing machines, complete with copies of your pictures, if you'll permit.