Alex has spent a lifetime in the sewing industry and is considered one of the foremost experts of pioneering machines and their inventors. He has written extensively for trade magazines, radio, television, books and publications world wide.

A brief and amazing history of Isaac Singer

The Singer 48k

Singer 48k Circa 1890-1910

The Singer model 48 is a bit of an enigma. If we are to believe some of the statistics that have surfaced a production run of nearly 50,000 was started but why do so few turn up? I have only seen a handful of these superb machines in a lifetime in the trade.

The internet has allowed us to track them down world-wide but the only hot-spot for them seems to be Britain. In Britain, where they were manufactured, more turn up than anywhere in the world and they are mainly hand-crank models, though treadles were exported from the 1890's. Charles Law's book has an advert of a Swedish-export model 48k treadle dated 1893. There is also mention of a court case for the 48k in the 1890's, Though production did not really get going until the early 1900's. By 1910 it was gone! None of the models I have come across have a pre-1900 serial number. The main period seems to be 1902-1905.

Manufactured in Kilbowie, Clydebank, Scotland, the machine was a beauty. It ticks all the boxes that collectors like. Pretty, unusual, limited numbers and works.

The brief was simple, the engineers were to design and build a modern forward-looking machine for the new, fast approaching, century. It was to appeal to people buying the old-fashioned German models. It was to include all the features of Singers best selling, widely-copied, model 12 but with new features to compete with the foreign, mainly German, high-arm machines.

It was to have more clearance under the bed, improved better bobbin winder, improved bearings, better tension adjuster, German style stitch-length slide-knob and a modern, boxy-look to keep ahead of the competition. It also used both old 12k needles, that most the foreign machines were using, and standard new-style needles which are still used today.

As well as all their normal machines Singers also had other models in the pipeline, the model 15 was selling well the 66 and 99 were coming on line with no bobbin case so the 48 was up against some stiff competition even from its own stable-mates!

I have more on these models and pictures, Singer through the years.

The big mistake for longevity was using the old transverse or reciprocating shuttle. This was really obsolete by the 1890's and did not compete with the new shuttles and bobbin cases for perfect stitching. Why they chose to go back to a 40yr old design even if the German's were using it, is one of the enigmas that will probably never be answered! The model 66 knocked spots of it for performance. Even the 17/27/18/28 models were better, easier to use and more reliable.

It could explain the sudden halt of production and limited numbers. It simply did not cut the mustard! Or with the storm clouds approaching and the coming of WWI and the sudden drop of people buying German machines there was no need for this fill-in model anymore. Or, I do love my or's, with Singer involved in arms manufacture did they simply drop unnecessary models from their range? We will probably never know.

All 48's had similar decals or design except a few export models on the bed.

Singer 48k Ottoman Carnation decals

The design, used on several models, often called peacock or orange slice, is actually based on a 15th century Turkish design. It is know as the Ottoman Carnation design and very pretty it is too.

Values

Values are high for the 48k, some perfect machines fetching great prices amongst the keen collectors. Put a Singer 12k next to a Singer 48k and you see 40 years of sewing machine evolution in action, a great display.

With the Internet, some 48's have turned up and have been missed by collectors but the ones that do get spotted are always snatched up, so grab one if you can. Always remember there is only three things worth noting in collecting, condition, condition and condition!

The one in my collection, pictured above, is a stunner and stitches like new. I had it on display at my local Marks & Spencer's until I found out how valuable it was!

Bye for now.

The end

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