As I turned the corner into another section of a new auction house I was previewing, a well-lighted case caught hold of me. From where I stood, I could make out small spools of thread and shelf after shelf of beautiful wooden boxes.
I had to get closer to see what was calling me. In one full case and part of another were some of the loveliest antique sewing boxes and other paraphernalia – more than I had seen in one lot at auction. This was obviously one person’s collection and she (I’m quite certain it was a woman) or someone else was giving it all up.
I come across sewing items all the time – coarse threads long forgotten in old sewing boxes, needle packs, needle holders, Singer and other sewing machines with unfamiliar names. But such a large grouping of boxes was extraordinary.
The auctioneer mentioned that they had come from a Victorian home in Cape May, NJ. When the owner first sent him photos, he said, he was a bit indifferent. But when he saw the actual collection, he was very impressed.
And I understood why. Anyone who appreciates the art of sewing would love these old boxes. And I’m one of those folks. I used to sew a lot, but sewing takes time and I found other things to do with that time. I’ve picked up a few small vintage sewing items from time to time, though.
These items were in relatively good condition and intact. Dust had settled on the tops of several and on others, the wood looked to have absorbed the dust after too many years of not being polished. All they needed were a good cleaning and they’d be proud again.
Most were boxes with spool holders that still held thread wrapped around wooden spools, the way they used to be made. At least two trays contained needle holders of all shapes, sizes and materials. Most of the boxes had drawers, and each pull revealed small items tucked inside.
Pincushions were apparently a favorite of this collector, and there were plenty of them – as toppers on miniature shoes, sewing boxes and metal contraptions, one of which was attached to the edge of the glass on a shelf.
Lying flat on one shelf was a small white leather sewing kit with the words “Lady’s Companion” imprinted in gold leaf on the side. Inside were tools tucked into deep pockets for that emergency sewing job away from home. It was adorable. On the Barnum Museum website, I found a red leather one with gold lettering that had belonged to P.T. Barnum’s daughter.
When the time came to sell the items, the auction staff laid them out on a table in front of about a dozen of us who had attached ourselves to the edge of the table like magnets. We fingered items we had touched many times before (at least I had because I had previewed them the day before. On auction day, the case was locked).
One woman standing next to me held up a black wooden item with a short handle and oval head. What’s this, she said. A darner, I told her. You put a sock over the round head, and “darn” or mend a hole. It is actually called a darning egg, and some are in the shape of an egg.
Then she picked up a short deceptively simple-looking cylindrical case. What’s this? she asked again. I unscrewed it as I explained that it was a needle holder. Inside were several needles.
I was her once, before I started going to auctions. I had never seen a darning egg before, and knew nothing about needle holders and tatting shuttles, which were also in this collection. But because I am interested in sewing, I’ve learned about many of its tools after having stumbled across so many at auctions – and still do.
The woman bidded on a few small pieces, but she was outbidded on most of them. Another female bidder took home most of the items, which generally sold in the $50 to $100 range. The cheapest went for $7 and the highest for $160, an egg-shaped needle holder that the auctioneer said was either ivory or bone.
The Lady’s Companion kit sold for $125. A very decorative one sold at another auction last year for $300. A couple were selling on eBay for less than $100.
I didn’t bid on anything because I thought the prices were too high. Besides, I wasn’t sure what I’d do with the boxes, except allow them to collect dust like the other sewing items I have at home. I’m sure the buyers at the auction will sell them, because most of the folks there were dealers.
Many of the other items sold at auction also came from the Victorian home in New Jersey, including a lovely Black Forest German clock with a thermometer, glassware, loads of old tintype and studio photos, and vintage dolls. This family seemed to be cleaning house.
