0 inches, but lighter in weight. The frame design was the
patent of L. Porter, May 11, 1869, and the mechanism was patented by
Alonzo Porter, February 8, 1870. The latter patent model bears the
painted legend "Atlantic" and is stamped "Aprl 1, 69," indicating that
it was probably already in commercial production. This date possibly may
refer also to L. Porter's design patent, since actual date of issue was
usually later than date of application. (Smithsonian photo 48329-A.)]

[Illustration: Figure 72.--A. BARTHOLF SEWING MACHINE, 1853. Abraham
Bartholf of New York began manufacturing Blodgett & Lerow machines (see
fig. 20) about 1850; the style and mechanics of these machines, however,
were primarily those of the Blodgett & Lerow patent as manufactured by
O. C. Phelps and Goddard, Rice & Co. For this reason they are considered
Blodgett & Lerow--not Bartholf--machines.

The true Bartholf machine evolved when the manufacturer substituted
Howe's reciprocating shuttle for the rotary shuttle of the Blodgett &
Lerow machine, continuing to manufacture the machine in his own adapted
style. Bartholf manufactured reciprocating-shuttle machines as early as
1853, and his was one of the first companies licensed by Howe.

All Bartholf machines licensed under Howe's patent carry the Howe name
and patent date. They are sometimes mistakenly referred to as Howe
machines, but they are no more Howe machines than those manufactured by
Wheeler & Wilson, Singer, or many others.

On April 6, 1858, Bartholf was granted a patent for an improvement of
the shuttle carrier. He continued to manufacture sewing machines under
the name "Bartholf Sewing Machine Co." until about 1865.

Using serial numbers, Bartholf machines can be dated approximately as
follows:

_Serial Number_ _Year_

1-20 1850
21-50 1851
51-100 1852
101-235 1853
236-290 1854
291-321 1855
322-356 1856
357-387 1857
388-590 1858
591-1337 1859

No record of the number of machines produced by Bartholf after 1859 is
available.

The Bartholf machine illustrated bears the serial number 128 and the
inscription "A. Bartholf Manfr., NY--Patented Sept. 1846 E. Howe, Jr."
This machine is in the collection of the Baltimore County Historical
Society. Note the close similarity between it and the 1850 Blodgett &
Lerow machine manufactured by Bartholf. (_Photo courtesy o