Beautiful certificate from the
Mills' Button-Hole Attachment Company issued
in 1886. This historic document was printed by Breuker & Kessler on red tinted paper and has an
ornate border around it with a vignette of a woman working on her trendle sewing machine. This item is hand signed by the Company's President ( Joseph Hey ) and Secretary and is over 130 years old.
Certificate Vignette
The following is from a review of the company in the Manufacturer and Builder, vol. 17, issue 11 (November 1885):
The Mills Button-Hole Attachment for Sewing Machines developed a newly
patented machine for working button holes in all
classes of goods, which is claimed to meet the needs of the times.
This device could be attached to
any sewing machine, in the factory or at home, and
it would demand no special skill to use it and keep
it in order.
The device was shown at the Novelties Exhibition
in Philadelphia, where it attracted much attention,
and from an inspection of its operation we glean the
following points in relation to it.
It can be placed upon any of the ordinary sewing
machines in the market without requiring any altera-
tion of the machine. It is entirely automatic, and
requires no skill to make a perfect button bole, since
it can be worked by any one accustomed to a sewing
machine. The attachment, after being placed on the
machine, can readily be adjusted to vary the length
of the hole, the width of the stitch, and its fineness.
It will make a perfect bar at each end, which can be
made as wide as required without regard to the width
of the button hole; or, if required, it will make a bar
at one end and a plain round finish at the other. It
makes the button hole the same distance from the
edge of the material regardless of the length of the
hole.
It is claimed that it will do work equally well on all
kinds of materialsflannels, linen, cloth, etc., and
that it can be worked at the rate of five button holes
per minute, although the recommendation of a more
moderate rate of speed is made,especially for home use.
Where, as in many manufactories, a hole of special size
is desired, the attachment is made to suit the require-
ment, and the adjustable feature is dispensed with.
The simplicity of this attachment, its automatic
action; the fact that it can be attached to any ma-
chine without necessitating alterations; the ease with
which it may be adjusted to vary the length and
width of hole and flnene~ of stitoh; the fact that
any person accustomed to the use of a sewing ma-
chine can readily use it, and the rapidity with which
it can be operated, are notable features of merit. It
appears to fully meet every important requirement
which is demanded of such a device, and to be wor-
thy of special commendation.
The Mills Button-Hole Attachment Company, of
312 Stock Exchange Place, Philadelphia, are the
manufacturers.