Looking for a book
 

Does by any chance, anyone have one or all of the four volumes of Encyclopedia of Antique Sewing Machines? There are 4 volume/editions. They are by Carter Bays. I am wanting to buy one if anyone is wanting to sell a copy. I have several vintage machines and was told these are the books I need to learn about them. Thank you.

CollectorBooks.Com has a pdf of the 3rd edition. Their statement is that it's out of print. It can be purchased and downloaded from their site. I've not seen one in the wild.

Library? The second edition is available at my local library in the nonfiction section (646.2044 BAYS).

four volumes or four editions? I don't think there would be any reason to get all four editions - unless they removed old stuff to make room for new stuff.

Encyclopedia of Antique Sewing Machines is written by Charles Basebase Law

the one by Carter Bays is a slightly different name.

ISMACS says the first is the "must have for the collector".

http://www.ismacs.net/booklist/collecting.html

I'm going to download the ebooks one, and see if I can find the free download from the Smithsonian.

I have the one from the Smithsonian. And I have the correct title and author. Thank you all for your help.

Interesting - could you please share the link that shows Carter Bays wrote "Encyclopedia of Antique Sewing Machines"

Every link I've found so far lists his book (all editions) as "Encyclopedia of Early American Sewing Machines"

I'm not trying to be snippy - I've found a lot of misinformation, and sometimes there is a less common book out there and it gets real hard to wade through all the other information out there.

looks like an actual book (the second title) can run a lot of money - if you find one. Probably not any reason to get an early edition unless you collect books along with sewing machines. I collect cooking books, so often I'll pay more for a 1st edition over a later one. But I'm not buying them as reference books. I also like to collect early sewing instruction books - those are fun to read and see how things have changed, even terminology - and for sure the writing style.

I have the 2nd edition and most likely bought it at Barnes and Noble. I'd be happy to look up a particular machine, if that would be of any help. Sorry, but I'm no interested in parting with it.

If you look on Amazon, type in Encyclopedia of 'Antique Sewing Machines', it will come up. Or just type in antique sewing machines. Green cover, around $200. Don't put in 'Early American' Sewing Machines, different book. I ordered from there last week, listed as new, got it, was in bad shape. Sent it back. Will not order from there again.

I still can't find it! When I type in what you said, I only get the book by the other author (Basebase Law) - not the one by Bays. And when I look for Bays as the author, I only get the other book - very frustrating!

I looked at the one the Smithsonian has, and it's great - but I'm more interested in 1890-1940 era machines.

This is the only green one I've found, and it's the other title - but it is by Carter Bays.

http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-A...ds=carter+bays