Wheeler and Wilson ad with a young seamstress.
The framed poster on the left advertises the Paris
Exposition Universelle of 1867
In looking for illustrations for the post a few weeks ago on the quilted lining for Lincoln's coat I realized I'd collected several photos of people demonstrating sewing machines during the mid-19th century.
Most of them---I know nothing about the source
for the picture and certainly nothing about the machines.
I'm guessing the 1850-1870 dates by costume, hair
and photo format
One of the best, 1850s?
from the Library of Congresss
About 1870: Laura Bridgman showing
that a Wheeler & Wilson machine was so easy to use that a blind woman
could use it. From the files of the Perkins Institute.
Here is her sewing machine
