LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS TEXTILE ARCHIVE

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

A fabulous archive of (170) pieces, 1843-1862, from an historical textile locale. Highlights include autographed items by two Lowell founders - Patrick Tracy Jackson (1780-1847), ALS [see below] and Nathan Appleton (1779-1861), a copy of his “Introduction of The Power Loom and Origin of Lowell”, pub. 1858, signed, ink, front cover, “With Regards of N. Appleton.” In addition (5) ALSs of Richard Kitson (1814-1885); (2) ALSs Alanson Crane [possibly the individual by this name who invented the fire extinguisher in 1863]; (3) ALSs, Ebenezer Howe, Jr. , Waltham agent; and a signed receipt by George Wellman [self stripper inventor], 1p., quarto, listing, “Deeds conveying patent rights”, noting companies and quantities of strippers being used. Also of interest is an 1851 printed circular, octavo, for Wm. C. Pickersgill, announcing that he furnishes plans for Turbine Wheels and recently completed wheels for Props. Locks & Canals; and (10) receipts from the Lowell Machine Shop. There are (155) manuscript letters, with many ALSs from assorted mill agents. The companies with approximate number of letters include: Prescott Mf’g Co (15); Tremont Mills (17); Hamilton Mf’g Co. (19); Lawrence Mf’g Co. (9); Suffolk Mf’g Co. (25); Lowell Machine Shop (18); Merrimack Mf’g Co. (7) Appleton Mills (13); and Boston Mf’g Co. (4). Among the correspondents: Homer Bartlett; Charles F. Battles; William A. Burke; Isaac Hinckley; Geo. Motley; J. Clark; John Avery; John Aiken; and John Wright. The letters represent incoming correspondence to P. Whitin & Sons, a large textile machinery manufacturer in Whitinsville, MA, with brief to lengthy content. Among the highlights and excerpts: Patrick Tracy Jackson, 1p., quarto, ALS, “P. T. Jackson”, Treasr, Great Falls Man. Co., Boston, Nov. 28, 1845 - “We have lost 2 Pickers by fire & wish to replace them immediately. Have you 2 on hand which you can let us have? Or how soon can you furnish them? They are for cards 36 inches wide…If you have none wholly or partly finished please say how soon you can build two for us & what difference in price with 1, 2 & 3 beaters.”; Benj. P. Battles, [Prescott Co.], Lowell, Nov. 13, 1847 - “I am a carder on[?] the Mass. Corp. in this City - employed by H. Bartlett Esq. I have in my room 56 cards - double carding - and make my finished laps with the old fashioned ‘Doubler’ - the long tapering machine. With this machine I am dissatisfied on account of its occupying too much room &c. The object of this note is to say that if you will send me a draught or plan of your lap winder & breaker railway…I will endeavor to have them introduced into this and two other mills in this yard.” Chas. F. Battles, Agent, Tremont Mills, Lowell, Mch 17, 1860 [lengthy letter on Tremont Mills letterhead] - “A claim is being made by a Mr. Crane under a patent for the use in a cotton cleaning trunk of a wire screen in which the cracks scales &c have been removed from the wire...Will you inform me whether you have used at any time wire screens over which you blew or conveyed cotton when the wire had been made smooth?”; “The late patterns of Railway Heads made in Lowell have a very simple mode of weighting the rolls by one weight…I should like to have the same mode applied to those you are making for us.” [More]. A. & A. Lawrence, Boston, Aug. 1, 1858 - “At the suggestion of Henry W. Ward Esq Treasr Tremont Mills we forward…one bale each Tremont Sheetings & Shirtings…which you will please pass through the machine described by your Mr. Whitin for removing specks &c. When finished you will please return the goods to us in the original baling.” John Avery, Agent, Hamilton Mf’g Co., Lowell, Dec 19, 1844 - “Understanding that you have used the spinning frames called the Ring Spinner to some extent I take the liberty of asking a few questions…viz - Does the frame spin as much yarn and of as good quality as the throstle? [More]. John Wright, Agent, Suffolk Mf’g Co., Lowell, Dec 19, 1844 - “I write to enquire the earliest day & the lowest price at which you will furnish us with about 2,000 spindles of the ring spinning…to fill the space in our new mill.”; “We find the travelers we get of Mr. Mason too light or too heavy. He makes none on his machine heavier than No 7’s.”; “Our frame works well & has been steadily gaining in favor with our overseer & the girls that have tended it since it first started & nothing seems wanting but travelers of the right size & weight. Jan 22, 1849 - “I have rec’d yours advising me that the spinning for the Suffolk Man Co was ready for delivery & I have been trying to get cars for bringing it over, in which I find much difficulty on account of the lack of…long platform cars. I have at length found one that I can have of suitable length 30 feet large, which will hold four frames but now another vexation appears. Their full load for a double car is from 8 to 10 tons & they must charge for 8 at least…At this rate all my saving of expense in quietly waiting till the rail road to Nashua was completed to get it transported all the way by Railroad seems to be an illusion…To meet this emergency I have a plan to build a strong frame of timber upon a long platform car & take two tiers of frame one above another by which I think I can give them a load to their satisfaction.” [More.] Jan. 14, 1850 - “I am desirous to learn what progress is made in the spinning designed for us…We rely upon having those alterations & improvements introduced into the frames…I deem this alteration so important that I would give a thousand today if I could have the ring spinning we are now running as well arranged in this particular as our throstle spinning is.” [More]; “I should like to have the frames painted with some color that will reflect light & not black. I will leave that to your taste - any color but black.” Overall clean condition with scattered flaws. Back cover of the Appleton booklet missing, with some loosening of binding. Otherwise VG+.

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