So, this is the New Toy.. Tiny, cast-aluminium hand-cranked Ideal sewing machine. I've wanted one of these for ages, but they have tended to be beyond my pocket.. This one is missing a spool pin but seems otherwise complete. It's a chain stitch machine with a foot feed, so no feed-dogs.. Remarkably simple and extremely charming..
I haven't attempted to get it to sew yet, but I will report on that soonest...
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Badge from the lid (tin..)
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Machine in all its glory
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Patent mark on the cloth plate
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Head and foot. Apparently this is the earlier type A (of two sorts), and was probably made between 1919 and 1922. Although the design was patented by Leslie Salter before the First World War, this interfered with production..