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Little Betty

Sewing Machine
1965-1969
Place of origin

Small manually operated sewing machine which produces a chain stitch. The base is metal enamelled red. It is reactangular with rounded corners; the bottom flattens out at the edge. The base of the machine is steel, now mottled with small rust patches. The machine is cream moulded plastic with steel plate, foot and needle operation. The turning handle is a disc of steel with black wooden knob. There is a battery compartment in the base and an on/off switch. The reel is held on a metal post with coil spring and a pink paper base. Through the base is a length of steel, curved round at one end and scalloped to provide a clamp to secure the sewing machine to a table top


Object details

Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Sewing Machine
  • Instructions
TitleLittle Betty (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
cream moulded plastic with steel parts, black wooden knob to turning handle, and a base of mild pressed steel enamelled red; the reel is wood
Physical description
Small manually operated sewing machine which produces a chain stitch. The base is metal enamelled red. It is reactangular with rounded corners; the bottom flattens out at the edge. The base of the machine is steel, now mottled with small rust patches. The machine is cream moulded plastic with steel plate, foot and needle operation. The turning handle is a disc of steel with black wooden knob. There is a battery compartment in the base and an on/off switch. The reel is held on a metal post with coil spring and a pink paper base. Through the base is a length of steel, curved round at one end and scalloped to provide a clamp to secure the sewing machine to a table top
Dimensions
  • Height: 7½in
  • Of base width: 9in
  • Of base depth: 5in
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • LB italics with the L larger and the B sat within its boundaries (side of machine; transfer)
  • LITTLE BETTY MADE IN ENGLAND in an oval design (sewing plate; incised)
Credit line
Given by Nicola Gale
Object history
Belonged to Nicola Gale, born February 5, 1961 and given to her by her paternal grandmother between 1965 and 1969
Production
Manufacturer - E M Gheysens Ltd, Lorne Road, Dover, Kent; established 1937, private company 1949; toymakers who made sewing machines under the trade name Little Betty

Reason For Production: retail
Bibliographic references
  • Dunn & Bradstreet British Middle Market directory, 1968
  • British Toy Fair Cat, 1969
  • Toy Trader, 1969
Collection
Accession number
B.92:1-1998

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Record createdApril 27, 1998
Record URL
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