1860's Grover and Baker MOP in Incredible Parlor cabinet
 

Allow me to introduce our new crown jewel.....

I have done NO cleaning what so ever.

Due to the kindness of a fellow collector, the previous owner of this machine was put into contact with me about a possible sale. That was a little while ago. I was upfront with the owner that I could only afford a certain amount and that his machine was most likely worth a bunch more in the right sale. The owner decided to follow that route and we bid each other a kind farewell.


Fast forward to a few weeks ago, the owner contacts me and says that they have not been able to sell it as expected and that they would accept a offer that was a little bit above my limit. I looked at the pics for a week and caved... I have now sold my other MOP G&B in the oak parlor with non-original internal hardware, and bought this stunning beauty. It is 99.9% complete (it is missing the bolt on patent plate, but we have a donor machine with one)

The previous owner is on vacation as of the moment we left them, but when they return in two weeks they will scan and forward a copy of the original Bill of Sale..... oh wow...

The front - Closed up
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The Front Open - The right door is folded all the way around the back
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This is the hinge up close
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Here is the side and back
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a better shot of the back(yes, the back) - this wood is amazing in person....
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the Back open
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here is the interior... - I LOVE the arrow on the drive wheel for direction....
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here is a close up of the pedal and the remaining color
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That is really special. I hope I can see it in person some day. Thanks for sharing!

Steve, it is stunning! That cabinet is wonderful!

Jeanette

Wow. You find the most amazing pieces! That cabinet is to die for.

Beautiful! Thank you for showing us. Before you know it, you're going to have a museum full. Steve where do you think this was made?

Kinda the plan...hehe

That is one incredible machine. Wow. The cabinet, the ironwork, the decals -- amazing. I wish I had words worthy of it. Museum-worthy, no doubt.

Steve ..............

Where's the pics of the head?

Joe

He must be saving the best for last. ;) It has to be something truly special in a cabinet like that.
That is a drop dead gorgeous cabinet with some really elegant hardware. I can't wait to see the rest.
Rodney

Chuckle.... Yeah. I figured that this rare cabinet and irons deserved their moment in the sun prior to the head being shown off.

...and to see how long before someone asks. hehe

as found - no flash
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so, we know that flash shows what is under dirt and grime....
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I just finished cleaning the top half of the head. It is still frozen, but that is expected until I get the underneath cleaned

cleaning the slide plate

Before
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During
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After
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here is how I protect the machine while polishing the silver. The polish would THRASH the decals so...
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but the results... (you can see here the silver plated spring that 1/2 has been protected in the handle of the tension. This shows the original shine level used)
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You are going to need a new profile picture with that one. :)

Last two...

center design
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corner detail
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That MOP head in that beautiful parlour cabinet really is something special

Oh WOW! I don't collect old machines, but this one is a beauty! Love it! :)

My goodness, you've introduced me to something I never could have imagined. Unbelievable the amount of craftsmanship and care that went into manufacturing this machine. It obviously found the right home with you. Congratulations and thank you for sharing with us!

Exquisite!!!!

I can hear angels singing!

Steve,

First, I want to pay you a visit one of these days with a grimy old machine so you can show / teach / tutor me in doing the magic you do to these machines.

Second, This machine is from the 1860s? So somewhere around a 155 ± years old. In that condition it couldn't have been used much, or if it was it was used very delicately.

Third, Do you have any idea what this machine / cabinet combo would have cost new in 1860?


and last but not least .... I wanna see your museum.


Joe

Beautiful machine Steve! That machine ended up in the right place. I would love to see your museum in person someday too.
Rodney

That's just absolutely beautiful.

Let us know when to sign up for museum tours!

Steve, quick question. The wood on the cabinet almost looks like rosewood from here. Is it rosewood or walnut?
Rodney

The Museum is open anytime with a weeks notice....

I am not a "wood dude" so I am not really sure. Here are a couple close ups.

So the story goes that the machine came to the seller from his dad who got it from a Great Aunt who felt that the Dad should have it. Her name was Irma. and she "sewed everything"

The back of the cover, mostly undamaged/unfaded
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the back door
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I LOVE the gloss on the protected part
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one hinge is now clean
Here is the lower hinge (still dirty)
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upper hinge clean
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open to show the mount.
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Looks like rose wood to me.
Skip

Glenn,

Any suggestions about the top cover stain and the sun fading around the deck?

Unfortunately Steve there is no cure for sun fading. This is an antique and I would not do any thing to the cabinet but clean and wax it. You can reduce the fading effect but you will not like the method and I don't recommend it. What I do recommend is getting a good paste wax like bri wax. I would wipe down the piece with solution #1 and then wax it with the bri wax. Use the dark bri wax. This may help the fading. If this was mine this is all I would do to it. This piece from what I can tell as a true age patina so don't mess with it. If it really bothers you you can take aniline dye stain in walnut and wipe the faded area down and french polish the area. Then a coat of wax. I strongly recommend you don't do this. Lets keep this one as a museum piece please. I see some broken areas to the turnings also leave them alone. I hope I have answered you queation. Clean and preserve only here.
Skip

Steve you can get button shellac flakes that when mixed with the alcohol will make a dark shellac. You can franch polish the areas that are faded but will take many polishings. I still don't recommend this unless you really are having trouble with the faded areas. More you do to it the less antique value.

Wouldn't it be fun to sew on something like this machine?

that is one of the most incredible machines I have ever seen. And the cabinet is beyond words. She really did end up with the right person.

wow, that is really beautiful!!!!

That is truly a high end machine and cabinet. The close ups look like rosewood to me too. True Brazilian rosewood is illegal to import anymore due to over harvesting. I agree with Skip. That's not some average Singer treadle stand. I'd follow his advice and just preserve it.
Rodney

What an absolute treasure, and your work on it is amazing. Beautiful.

Glenn - Nothing but cleaning and waxing, fear not... My usual process is to de-neglect, not refinish. ESPECIALLY in the case like this.