This is further to my post of Sep 13th regarding my recently acquired antique bobbin winder. Repeated below is some of the same information posted then and I now enclose a photo.
http://community.webshots.com/user/arachne2003 (Copy this address into your web browser, open, go to "new albumer", and the thumbprint of the photo should appear. Click to enlarge the print.) You will see that the winder is clamped onto a stool. The seller had no information about it. It is 7" (18 cm) high and the top is 8-3/4" X 6" (22 cm X 15 cm). Whatever its original purpose it appears it was used indoors and has likely been refinished at some point in time. The bobbin winder is reputed to be from the 1830s and Welsh. I haven't been able to find anything on the Internet to authenticate its age, location of manufacture, rarity, or value. A friend did some research in her personal library and found something similar in "Charles Freeman's "Pillow Lace in the East Midlands", page 42, figure 3. A wooden screw mechanism holds the winder onto the edge of a table. It seems this design was made "later" than the earliest winders, but there is no indication of when "later" was. I have no idea what kind of wood it is made from. The bottom part that clamps to the table appears to have been stained (not painted) with a black ink-like colour and there is evidence of this colour in some of the grooves on the flywheel. The winder is in wonderful condition and runs smoothly. It shows evidence of gentle use and could be used again (but with the risk of breaking the bobbin holder by forcing a bobbin into it). The cord on the flywheel has been replaced by a modern elastic band. Does anyone have information to assist me in learning more about this antique winder? Thanks for your help. Ruth Johnson Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
