: Olde Tyme Stuffe, 26 Lamartine Street, conducted a recent
antiques and collectibles auction featuring items from
Massachusetts estates.
The surprise of the sale was a Thomson sewing machine in good
condition. Thomson was believed to be the first company to
produce sewing machines for the masses.
"We were told that [the company] purchased the patent from Elias
Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine," said Denise Fanion,
the gallery's general manager and administrator. "One authority
we consulted said that these machines were very rare and
difficult to find in good condition."
The sewing machine came to the block with one phone participant
and several bidders in attendance vying for the lot. It opened at
$500 and climbed to $4,200, plus buyer's premium.
According to the gallery, the winner was in attendance and was
thrilled with his purchase.
