jlhmnj

Was checking out the Davis machines on CL and spotted this interesting ad with sales receipts:

http://visalia.craigslist.org/atq/4862943378.html

Note reads: " Please send sample needle back as it is a hard job to get needles to fit my machine. Respectfully"

Looks like a sales order form for Sears with inexpensive items listed. The machine uses a Davis Long needle. Machine probably dates to 00's.

Well used needles must have been pretty dear to want the sample back!

Jon

jlhmnj

Sears needles c. 1910 cost 15 cents per dozen and 2 cents shipping.

Jon

J Miller

That would explain why many of the old machines I've acquired had very dull worn needles in them.

Joe

J Miller

ARRGGGGHHH!!!! Get that D@MN flower pot of that treadle top!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh that fries me.


Joe

SteveH

That is cool! Do you have a representative example of the buying power of that? (i.e. What a loaf of bread or dozen eggs cost at that time)

Jeanette Frantz

Me, too, Joe. There's no way to protect the top from damage when you've got a plant on top of it that has to have water periodically. Water and wood cabinets DO NOT MIX! So, Yeah, I echo your sentiments: "GET THAT ****** FLOWER POT OFF THE TOP OF THAT TREADLE!"

Jeanette

jlhmnj

Sure. http://www.gti.net/mocolib1/prices/1910.html

SteveH

Very cool. so needles were about 1/2 the price of eggs... .15/dozen vs .28/dozen

J Miller

According to my inflation calculator .15 in 1910 = $3.93 in 2015.
But that's really not accurate because a 10 pack of needles at JoAnn Fabrics costs about twice that.

Joe

jlhmnj

Sounds like highway robbery but the cost of maintaining a store must be high.

Jon