Images(22)

Kit, Sewing

Object number2018.105.5 a-w

Manufacturer Belding Brothers & Company

Manufacturer O.J. & Company

Datec. 1930

MediumWood; Thread; Fabric; Chalk; Plastic

Credit LineGift of Patty Sims

DescriptionSewing kit consisting of a wooden box with lid, sixteen thread bobbins, a wooden spindle, a fabric sample, two pieces of chalk, and a collection of buttons.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 2.875 × 7.5 × 5.563 in. (7.3 × 19.1 × 14.1 cm)
Height x Length x Depth (b): 3.875 × 7.188 × 0.125 in. (9.8 × 18.3 × 0.3 cm)
Height x Diameter (c): 1 × 1.5 in. (2.5 × 3.8 cm)
Height x Diameter (d): 1 × 1.5 in. (2.5 × 3.8 cm)
Height x Diameter (e): 1.125 × 1.5 in. (2.9 × 3.8 cm)
Height x Diameter (f): 2 × 1.375 in. (5.1 × 3.5 cm)
Height x Diameter (g): 1.438 × 0.938 in. (3.7 × 2.4 cm)
Height x Diameter (h): 1.25 × 1 in. (3.2 × 2.5 cm)
Height x Diameter (i): 1.25 × 0.938 in. (3.2 × 2.4 cm)
Height x Diameter (j): 1.25 × 1 in. (3.2 × 2.5 cm)
Height x Diameter (k): 1.25 × 0.938 in. (3.2 × 2.4 cm)
Height x Diameter (l): 1.25 × 1 in. (3.2 × 2.5 cm)
Height x Diameter (m): 1.25 × 0.938 in. (3.2 × 2.4 cm)
Height x Diameter (n): 1.25 × 1 in. (3.2 × 2.5 cm)
Height x Diameter (o): 1.25 × 1 in. (3.2 × 2.5 cm)
Height x Diameter (p): 1.25 × 1 in. (3.2 × 2.5 cm)
Height x Diameter (q): 0.75 × 1.375 in. (1.9 × 3.5 cm)
Height x Diameter (r): 2.375 × 1.563 in. (6 × 4 cm)
Length x Diameter (s): 3.75 × 0.313 in. (9.5 × 0.8 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (t): 3.5 × 4.313 × 0.125 in. (8.9 × 11 × 0.3 cm)
Length x Width x Depth (u): 1.875 × 0.5 × 0.125 in. (4.8 × 1.3 × 0.3 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (v): 0.75 × 1.313 × 0.125 in. (1.9 × 3.3 × 0.3 cm)
Diameter x Depth (w, smallest button measurements): 0.563 × 0.125 in. (1.4 × 0.3 cm)
Diameter x Depth (w, medium sized button measurements): 0.75 × 0.125 in. (1.9 × 0.3 cm)
Diameter x Depth (w, biggest button measurements): 0.875 × 0.188 in. (2.2 × 0.5 cm)
Inscriptions(a) Inscription on side of box is cut off, but legible text reads "[...] 49 / [...]many".

(c) "500 YDS" stamped in black ink on bottom.

(d) "450 YDS / 167" stamped in black ink on bottom.

(e) "450 YDS" stamped in black on bottom. Handwritten "D.F." on bottom. "90" stamped on bottom.

(f) "1145" handwritten on bottom.

(g) "WARRANTED / 200 YDS" printed on bottom.

(h) Below maker's mark reads: "SHADE 514". Below maker's mark on other side reads: "100 A YDS".

(i) On one side, below maker's mark, text reads: "SHADE / 496". On the other side, text below maker's mark reads: "100 A YDS".

(j) On one side, below maker's mark, text reads: "SHADE / 010". On the other side, text below maker's mark reads: "100 A YDS".

(k) On one side, below maker's mark, text reads: "SHADE / 518". On the other side, text below maker's mark reads: "100 A YDS".

(l) On one side, below maker's mark, text reads: "GUARANTEED PURE SILK / MADE IN THE U.S.A. / SHADE / 7250". On the other side, text below maker's mark reads: "100 A YDS".

(m) On side with maker's mark reads: "100 YDS / O.N.T. / 50". Text on opposite side reads: "COLOR / [illegible] / 37".

(n) On one side is printed: "100 A YDS". Text on other side reads: "SHADE / 517".

(o) On one side below maker's mark reads: "SHADE 5580". On the other side, text below maker's mark reads: "100 A YDS"

(p) On one side below maker's mark reads: "SHADE 457". On the other side, text below maker's mark reads: "100 A YDS".

(q) "R & C - Pure Linen - 55 Yards" printed on one side.

(r) "WARRANTED / 1200 YDS." printed on one side.
Marks(c) Text on top of spool reads: "BELDING BROS & CO / PRIZE MEDAL / WARRANTED / PURE DYE / 1/2 OZ. / SPOOL O SEWINGS".

(d) Text on top of spool reads: "BELDING BROS & CO / PRIZE MEDAL / WARRANTED / PURE DYE / 1/2 OZ. / SPOOL A SEWINGS".

(e) Text on sticker reads: "CORTICELLI GILT EDGE / PURE / DYE / SILK A SEWINGS".

(f) "BELDING BRO'S & CO. / PRIZE MEDAL / WARRANTED / Pure Dye / 1 oz. / O / MACHINE SILK".

(g) "O. J. & CO. / THREE 40 CORD.".

(h) One side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / MADE IN U.S.A.". Other side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / PURE SILK".

(i) One side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / MADE IN U.S.A.". Other side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / PURE SILK".

(j) One side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / MADE IN U.S.A.". Other side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / PURE SILK".

(k) One side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / PURE SILK". Other side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / MADE IN U.S.A.".

(l) One side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / PURE SILK".

(m) On one side reads: "CLARK'S" at the top, and "MERCERIZED SEWING" printed at the bottom of the maker's mark.

(n) One side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / PURE SILK". Other side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / MADE IN U.S.A.".

(o) One side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / PURE SILK". Other side reads: "GUARANTEED PURE SILK / MADE IN U.S.A.".

(p) One side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / PURE SILK". Other side reads: "BELDING HEMINGWAY CO. / MADE IN U.S.A.".

(q) Text on side reads: "ROGEZ / A / LILLE". Text next to this in a circle reads: "MADE / IN / FRANCE".

(r) "CHALLENGE / 40" printed on one side of spool.

Historical NotesThis sewing box was stored in a steamer trunk that was found in the home of sisters Jo and Dolly Ferrara. The donor's father, James Hahn, was close to the Ferrara family and, when the parents passed away, he continued to help daughters Jo and Dolly who never married. After they died, the donor and her father cleaned out the house and discovered this trunk and its contents. The trunk belonged to the Ferarra’s cousin, Domenico Ferrara. Originally from Rivisondoli in the province of L’Aquila, he lived in various places around Pittsburgh, as well as Detroit and Atlanta, before moving in with his relatives at 1431 Denniston Ave in the early 1950s. Untouched since Domenico’s death in the 1970s, the trunk contained many items that offered clues about his life. He served in WWI for the United States, was a tailor by profession, and invested in the stock market, which financed his travels around the U.S.

Previous owner Domenico Ferrara

Related person Jo Ferrara

Related person Dolly Ferrara

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