Continuing our study of St. Anne postcards, today's card features a little sewing machine romance! This French postcard was probably produced sometime between 1910 and 1920. Usually St. Anne cards depict a woman and a sewing machine, but occasionally a man makes it into the picture as well. It's fun to imagine scenarios inspired by this photograph, although I hope the romance isn't meant to stem from the gentleman gifting the sewing machine to the lady - it would be like the modern equivalent of getting a vacuum cleaner for your birthday!
I used a magnifying glass to look for the name of the sewing machine. It's not visible on the machine itself, but the treadle stand has the name "Durkopp" worked into the metal curlicues. Durkopp was a German sewing machine manufacturing company founded in 1867. They essentially copied American sewing machines. They also branched out into making bicycles and automobiles. The company persisted in spite of economic ups and downs and two World Wars. In the 1960s, the company ceased production of household sewing machines and focused on industrial sewing equipment. Most recently, a Chinese company bought controlling shares in the company.
I'll be celebrating St. Anne through the end of July. I hope you'll join me on Tuesdays for more St. Anne postcards and sewing machine history. At the end of the month, in honor of St. Anne's Feast Day, I'll host a linky party where you're welcome to share any current or special sewing project.
Vive Ste. Anne!
