The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-18
THE SEWING MACHINE TRADE IN BAL
TIMORE

Scarcely ten years ago a sewing machine in this
city was novelty, and many doubted the practi-
cability of any piece of mechanism being invented
which could be adapted to the uses claimed for the
sewing machine. Now, however, some of the
largest and handsomest stores in the city are
pied by private firms and agencies for the disposal
of the different patents of this invention.
GROVER BAKERS agency, under the superin-
tendence of Mr.. G. W. Eddy, is one of the most ex-
tensive in the city occupying the building No. 18l
West Baltimore ST. which has depth ofover 70 feet,
and is four stories high, independent of the base
ment The first floor is used as an exhibition a
sales-room 1t has just been re-ftted and is one of
the most beautiful rooms in the CITY, The walls
have been newly papered, in the panel style, and
the ceiling in imitation of fresco work. The floor
is richly carpeted and the room presents more the
appearance of an elegant parlor than of a salesroom
The second floor is used as the sewing department.
in which are employed about dozen women; and
although each may be employed in working sew
ing machine, so perfect is the movement of the
chinery, that the noise made is not much louder
than the ticking of a clock. The sales of machines
from this agency alone amount to several hundred
per dnnum. Messrs. Grover Baker are continually
increasing their facilities for manufacturing ma
chnes but the demand increases still more rapidly
Their chief agency is in New York CITY, and sub
agencies exist in almost all the principal cities and
towns of the Union. The machine is able to take
1000 stitches per minute, and will heavy and
light goods without any change in the needle or
re-adjustment of the machinery.
WHEELER & Wilson'S agency, OF which Mr. Mer-
ril has charge, is established No. 205 Baltimore
street. This agency was established in 1855, and
its business has been increasing very rapidly. In
this city alone thousand machines of this patent
are now in use, while great numbers of them have
been sold and distributed from this point through
out the States of Maryland, Virginia ant North
Carolina. This machine makes what is called the
clock stitch, and is capable of taking 900 stitches
per minute Messrs W. & w. advertise very ex-
tensively throughout the country, and publish
pamphlets by the tens of thousands, in which are
set forth the advantages of the patent and also
testimonials from various persons who have grown
eloquent from the possession of machine.
SINGERS agency, Mr.. w. E. Broderick, agent,
is located at No. l59 W est Baltimore street. 1t
was established in 1858, and was the piou eer Of
sewing machines in this section of the country
The business of the agency is hourishing, and it
has been found necessary several times to seek new
and enlarged accommodations for this exhibition
and sale of these machines.
LADD, WEBSTER Co.'s agency is at No. 202 Bal
tmore street, and was established about one year
ago. Their business is fast growing into import
ance, and arrangements are being made for large
ly increased facilities in the manufacture of the
machines. The principal agency is in New York
city.
l.. D. CHASE, No. l63 Baltimore street, is the
agent for Testers machine, and also for Sloat E
Co.'S The fastest machine of the aforementioned
patent is able to take 1000 stitches per minute and
will pass from the coarses style of work to the finest
without any readustment of the needle or any pare
of the machinery The agency has been in existencU
1S months, and has averaged business of Sl2,OO
per annum, which is rapidly increasing.