This is an Antique Shaw & Clark 'Monitor' Sewing Machine,

manufactured in Biddeford, Maine (USA), from 1860-1864.

(Just as a time reference: ... Lincoln Dies & Civil War ends 1865. )

Dating: The sewing plate is not marked on early Shaw & Clark machines, so we know this unmarked machine was manufactured early in the business. Later, in 1864, they were forced by the "Combination" to pay royalties for the patents they'd been infringing upon, & began placing badges on all their machines from then on - specifying that they were legit (& implying all others weren't).

They also altered the style of their machines after 1864, to the Pagoda style (open & closed versions), & their Fat & Skinny Pillars now come with a skirt - so no more paw feet.

This machine also has a walking foot, which was very short lived in other New England machines, so I'd date it to the very early 1860's - especially since they were only in business until 1866.

This machine sold on Ebay - July 2020

This is an Antique Shaw & Clark 'Monitor' Sewing Machine,

manufactured in Biddeford, Maine (USA), from 1860-1864.

Dating: The sewing plate is not marked on early Shaw & Clark machines, so we know this unmarked machine was manufactured early in the business. Later, in 1864, they were forced by the "Combination" to pay royalties for the patents they'd been infringing upon, & began placing badges on all their machines from then on - specifying that they were legit (& implying all others weren't).

They also altered the style of their machines after 1864, to the Pagoda style (open & closed versions), & their Fat & Skinny Pillars now come with a skirt - so no more paw feet.

This machine also has a walking foot, which was very short lived in other New England machines, so I'd date it to the very early 1860's - especially since they were only in business until 1866.

(Just as a time reference: ... Lincoln Dies & Civil War ends 1865. )

Details: This Sewing Machine is a wonderful early "Monitor", by Shaw & Clark. The Fire Hydrant style of the pillar, and the incredible paw feet are so well detailed - it's just incredible!

This machine was in need of a lot of work, but a joy to bring it back to such beauty. I really love this Hydrant style.

Once I got it apart, & all the rust off, I painted all her originally painted parts. After, I applied decorations (Gold decals & hand painted the colors), then applied a clear coat, to protect the decorations. Finished off with a good quality car wax, to further protect & seal all painted parts.

Unpainted parts are polished to as high a shine as they are able to take. (Most are not chromed, so some pitting is inevitable in any machine of this age.)

This machine is pretty much in tact & original, underneath her new paint job, though missing or damaged screws & nuts are replaced, as needed.

- There are No cracks or repairs in the machine.

- Hand crank wheel turns easily.

- Gears have no chips, no missing teeth, & turn smoothly, with no chatter.

- Needle bar travels easily, & as intended.

- Walking foot looks good, but does not feed.

- Looper is there, & turns as intended ***.

*** UPDATED: I was informed that the looper on this machine is not intended to turn all the way over, so I was incorrect in my original assumption that it was defective in not doing so.

- Stitching - It still does not sew, & I don't have a needle that fits it. Not sure what needle size it takes.

The feed dogs do not feed properly, & this machine does not come all the way apart, so I can't fully tear it down without risking breaking it.

I'm no mechanic, & as far as I can tell, it is assembled properly. I'm still at a loss as to what might be causing the feed dogs to not feed. (I've never worked on one of these before.) ** Thank you so much to the lovely gentleman who informed me that the looper is not supposed to turn over fully, as that at least relieves my concern that I did something wrong in reassembling it. : )

This machine is being sold "As is" - Not as a functional sewing machine.

*** Any item of this age is going to show nicks & dings, as well as some pitting, which can be seen in the photos.

Measurements (approximate):

* 13" Wide Base (Includes Knob on the wheel).

* 8" Deep at the Base

* 9" Tall (with needle bar in the up position).

* Wheel is 4.5" across.

I think this one is sooo cool looking, & I love that Hydrant pillar.

I hope you feel the same, & Good luck bidding. : )

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Shaw & Clark Sewing Machine Co. 1857 – 1870.

Factory: Biddeford, Maine 1865.

Founders: Charles A. Shaw, Timothy Clark

Moved to: Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts 1867 – 1868

Became: Chicopee Sewing Machine Co. 1868 – 1870

Note in 1870 Charles A Shaw was General agent for this company

Machines Made - Year:

Monitor - 1861

16$ & 20$ Family machines – 1864

New Chicopee Family Nos 1, 2, 3, 4 - 1869

Production: 1866 - 1867 2,692

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Shaw & Clark

Early 1860s, Shaw & Clark were unlicensed pirate operators who produced machines without paying license fees to the big patent holders.

The Biddeford, ME company was probably the most successful, with its Monitor machine proving the mainstay of its business.

Early 1864: the Sewing-Machine Combination forced it to go legitimate, paying license fees of $7 per machine.

Charles A Shaw was a former Mayor of the city of Biddeford.

James R Clark was a member of the ME Legislature, & his son -

Timothy Clark, was a registrar of deeds for York County.

Shaw & Clark ‘Monitor’ 1860-1864

Each Shaw & Clark machine made after the company began to pay license fees (1864) was sold with a brass plate listing the patents for which licenses had been bought. Later badged models are far rarer than the Monitors.

Two basic models were produced:

- one with a round fire-hydrant top & skirted bottom

Shaw & Clark ‘Fat Pillar’ 1864-1870

- one with a square pagoda-type Tower which came in open & closed forms.

Shaw & Clark ‘Closed Tower’ 1864-1870 … ‘Open Tower’ 1864-1870

Shaw & Clark ‘Skinny Pillar’ & ‘Open Tower’ 1864-1870

Of the 2 later designs, the circular fire-hydrant tower is by far the rarer