Ms. Susie over at 1st Floor Flat is a bit under the weather and not from the snow storm that has chilled England. Nothing alarming, just enough to keep her off her feet for a few days. I’ve been promising for years now to upload pics of my vintage sewing supplies. Here is a start, to cheer Susie up, The “Macey” Hook & Eye.
At one point the owner of this card folded it into thirds. Possibly it fit better into a purse for emergencies or a sewing kit. Although it is torn, the paper is rather thick and held tightly together by the actual hooks, eyes and threads. I could not straighten it out.
The first known machine manufacturers of the hook & eye is in the city of Redditch, England, famous for their needles. I happen to have packet of those, too.
However, our subject, Macey Hook & Eye Company, was located in Dearborn, MI. Other than a few lawsuits, I could not find any more detail. It does seem that Michigan manufactured many types of wire products in the 19th century.
Macey did advertised in Home Talk Magazine. The monthly publication, established 1881 in New York by the Woodward Publishing Company, was sent out to over 4 million and cost the reader 50 cents. Certainly, even the bathing outfit on the cover employed several hooks and eyes. (This is for sale on eBay by someone if you are interested.)
We can be thankful for more comfortable clothing, but who can resist dreaming of that Edwardian period which the Duchess of Downtown Abbey inhabits?
