Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-09-06
SeaCi7ag Machines.
1NHE WILCOX & GIBBS
TT Sewing Machine.
Il .CHALLENGE!

Whereas the several agents of so-called lock-
stitch machines in Staunton have not been scru-
pulous in misrepresenting the WILCOX AND
GIBBS Sewing Machines, / therefore give the
following CHALLENGE to any agent in Staun-
ton for Wheeler s. Wilson's, Weeds, Singers,
Howe's, or any other, so-called, Lock-Stitch
Sewing Machine: E Ir od no
1st, With the Wilcox s Gibbs Sewing Ma
chine. will sew with any size of thread, from
No. ~ to $50 cotton, upon any kind of material
from the finest gauze to the coarsest brown cot
ton or bagging-they sewing seam with the
same parallel with mine-we will then cut the
threads of both seams and cut the cloth across
the seams, and then they shall take hold on one
side of the material and on the other and pull
when it will be found that their so-called lock-
stitch will rip out and the Wilcox & Gibbs will
not. osssac B
End, I will demonstrate that when the thread
is broken or the seam is cut, the so-called lock-
stitch will invariably rip and that the Wilcox &
Gibbs seam will not, and that cutting or break
ing the thread in Wilcox 81 Gibbs seam is no
material injury to it, while it is fatal to the lock-
stitch. p '-ts+sess Il f
3rd, will sew a seam bias of the material, and
they one parallel with mine and will rip out
their entire seam with strain upon the material
that will not injure the Wilcox & Gibbs seam.
4th, will sew two strips together, they doing
the same. and apply a weight to the end of the
strips which will rip their work apart and the
same weight will not injure the Wilcox and
Gibbs seam. :
9th, I will demonstrate that the so-called lock-
stitch is practically similar to the old running
stitch made by hand and only used to run up
skirts, &C.. where strength is not required. and
that the Wilcox & Gibbs stitch has the elias
ITCHY and strength of the back stitch invariably
used by hand, where strength is required.
9th, will sew four seams of any given length
and fasten Oft the seam, while the lOck-stitch
machine sews three seams of the same length and
fastens.
It'll, will take the thread from the drawer on
the original spool-they doing the same-and 1
will sew two yards of seam before they are ready
to begin.
9th, will change needles blindfold or in the
dark and insure them to be adjusted right, which
they cannot do.
9th, will change needles twice while they
change once on an average-both TO adjust
10th, l will sew on thicker and more solid ma
terial, with finer needle than they can.
llth, will do three kinds of work which they
cannot do at all.
18th, l will sew from thinner and finer material
to thicker and coarser material, without change
OF !, tension ten or 81, stitch than they can.
18th, l will make more stitches in given time,
with less power applied.
18th, will change from one kind Of work to
another. with less labour and in less time
18th, 1 will do all my sewing from the original
spool, while they can do none without re-wind-
ing. oa1 81 z1t9 lGl5-s s1-9 '--
~ will demonstrate that the WILCOX s.
GIBBS Machine is SUPERIOR to any lock-
stitch machine in the following points =
| It is the simplest in construction. FzH
1t is the least liable to get out of order.
1t is the cheapest. 7 sst.Hlt>E III
1t runs the stillest.
1t sews the fastest fl e-2-i.i +7'"
6 1t will not run backwards and spoil the work.
1t requires less skill to operate it.
1t requires less time and skill to learn to use
Its needle is shorter and consequently best
10 Its needle is self-adjusting. a77l 7 a7-f--
IL 1t uses but one thread and avoids complicated
machinery
II Ituses the thread from the original spool and
requires no re-winding
IL Its seam is stronger than the lock-stitch.
IA Its seam is much easier taken out when de-
sired.
Is Its seam is much more elastic.
16 1t fastens off its own seam -.-i
II Its tension is more easily managed
II 1t will do a greater variety of work.
10 1t is more easily changed from one kind of
work to another.
20 1t makes embroidery, braid, hair nets, inser-
ton, &c, which the lock-stitch machines
cannot do.
81 1t WASTES less thread
Y 1t wears the thread less in sewing.
~ 1t has the best hemmers, felers, fuckers cord
-ers, braiders. &C., of attachment
"a 1t has the best belt connection.
Is 1T Is THE BEST MACHINE.
1fthe challenge be accepted the trial must take
place before the 10th of September proximo, in
some public place in Staunton, in the presence
of three judges who shall be men of known pro-
bity and sound judgment, and acceptable to both
parties. Terms of trial to be that the decision of
a majority of the above propositions in favor of
either machine shall constitute it the vctor-each
point to be tested and decided upon separately.
The looser to pay all the costs of the trial and
S1OO penalty to the winner; the opponents to each
operate their own machine without assistance the
public to be invited to the trial. Personal no
tice of the acceptance of this challenge must be
given to be valid.
Not wishing to take advantage of the inexpe-
rience ofthe challenged party, think it but fair
to inform them that each and every one of the
above points have been repeatedly decided in
favor of the Wilcox & Gibbs Machine in elabo-
rate trials, before the most competent Judges
WOODS & GILKEsON AGENTS IN Stanton for
the lViItcor & Gibbs Seacing Machine.
3 aul6-4t JAS. E. A. GIBBS.