It is tempting to assume the patriotic theme of American flags on the cover and on page 9 was in response to the Spanish-American War, but that conflict did not begin until February of 1898. More likely it was simply general expression of American patriotism which was common.
But this one is a mystery. It’s a catalog for the “Davis Machine Company,” not the “Davis SEWING Machine Company.” The header on the lefthand pages says, “THE DAVIS MACHINE CO., CHICAGO.” There is no mention in the entire catalog of the Davis Sewing Machine Company or Dayton, Ohio.
However, the following all undeniably point to these being the same companies:
p. 8 references the Davis Machine Company’s address as “64 & 66 Wabash Avenue, corner Randolph Street” in Chicago. This is the same address listed on contemporary advertisments as the Chicago office of the Davis Sewing Machine Company (see e.g., here & here listing the address as simply “64 Wabash Avenue).”
Even more definitive proof comes from the back cover of this catalog. On it is an image of two women standing with a women’s tandem, the exact image used on a advertisement May 1897 McClure’s Magazine advertisement, and especially an 1897 Davis Sewing Machine Company advertising card, which also indicates the full address listed on p. 8 of the Davis Sewing Machine Company catalog – “64 & 66 Wabash Av Cor. Randolph St.”
Finally, the Davis Model “D” on p. 21 is identical in general to the “Model D” listed on pp. 8 & 9 of the 1897 Davis Sewing Machine Company Dayton Bicycle catalog, though the technical details vary somewhat. The other models in the Davis Machine Company catalog are not included in the 1897 Davis Sewing Machine Company catalog which may not feature the complete line of models offered, at least not anymore by the Davis Sewing Machine Company. The 1896 Davis Sewing Machine Company Dayton Bicycle catalog includes a Model E though it looks somewhat different.
Interesting to note the difference in price for the Model “D” listed in the Davis Machine Company catalog ($26.50, 2025 $1,042), and the the Model D listed in the 1897 Davis Sewing Machine Company catalog ($100 – 2025 $3,933). An enormous price difference (though still pricey by today’s standards) which implies the Davis Machine Company models are lower grade discount versions of the Davis Sewing Machine Company models.
Decent condition given its age and the low quality paper used. Staples are rusted and center page has pulled away. Front cover is split at the bottom.
Dating: apparently a catalog published at the end of 1897 looking forward to 1898.
P. 21 “1898 Davis Bicycles”
P. 23 “The conclusion of the ’97 season . . .”, “. . . our 1898 wheel will not fall short . . .”
