Vintage Sail Makers Upholstery Needle Set
This lot is a vintage sail makers upholstery needle set housed in a hinged wooden case with a cardboard-lined interior. The lid is fitted with a board of mounted needles arranged in rows and grouped by type, with handwritten labels identifying sections for sail, harness, mattress and collar needles. The case contains a number of orange-lidded tins, several of which carry handwritten labels for sail, mattress and collar needles, along with smaller boxes. A wooden-handled tool with a metal shaft also sits in the lower compartment, alongside further items. The needles display a range of curved and straight profiles, reflecting the varied demands of sail, harness and upholstery work.
Condition and Collector Appeal
The case shows clear signs of age, including wear to the card lining, marking to the labels and general handling marks. The handwritten labels on the lid and tins are original to the set and add to its character as a working record of the trade. The lot is offered as seen, and buyers should satisfy themselves as to the contents before bidding. Items of this kind appeal to collectors of trade tools, maritime and sailmaking memorabilia, and those interested in traditional upholstery and harness crafts, particularly where the original organisation of the set remains intact.