Very early Elias Howe Treadle Sewing Machine Only two patent dates/latest August 24, 1858 Start Price USD 9.95 Current Price USD 349.00 Time Left - Bid Count 8 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, September 04, 2008 End Time Thursday, September 11, 2008 Location Boston, by the sea See more about 'Very early Elias Howe Treadle Sewing Machine' Description  While we don't know much about sewing machines, based on some research, we think this is a pretty early model made by Elias Howe.  Most of the ones we were able to find had a minimum of three patent dates, some as many as six ending in 1872.  This has only TWO patent dates:  September 10, 1846, and August 24, 1858.  From what we can tell, the next date on his machines would be 1867, so ours at least predates that and presumably could be as early as 1858.  There is also what looks like serial number on it - 31490 - a much lower number than we found on other machines we found in our research.  Finally, there is a medallion that states - Elias Howe Jr., Inventor & Maker, New York, USA.  Size of the unit - measured from the top, it is 26" wide and 14&1/2" deep.  From the floor to the top of the cover is 39."  Condition is as shown.  We did clean off the wood a bit so the finish would show through.  We did not clean the machine itself or the base.  The original paint on the machine looks pretty good, showing its age gracefully.  The design of the cover looks simpler than others we have seen, which may be due to it being an earlier machine.  There is a side drawer as you can see - however, one of the wood tracks under the base where the drawer slides in is missing - you will need to glue on a small wooden track.  There are a couple of things in the drawer - one piece that goes on the machine itself, and what I was told is a belt for the gears.  It has four wheels on the base of it, one of which was recently reattached with solder.  That's all I can tell you, other than the fact that this recently came out of a Massachusetts house located south of Boston.  Howe was born in Massachusetts. Because of the size, this is PICK UP ONLY.  Machine is located just south of Boston.  Fair reserve.  Good luck! Place a Bid!