{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O7517"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O7517/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O7517","accessionNumber":"B.92:1&2-1998","objectType":"Sewing Machine","titles":[{"title":"Little Betty","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"Small manually operated sewing machine which produces a chain stitch.  The base is metal enamelled red.  It is reactangular with rounded corners; the bottom flattens out at the edge.  The base of the machine is steel, now mottled with small rust patches.  The machine is cream moulded plastic with steel plate, foot and needle operation.  The turning handle is a disc of steel with black wooden knob.  There is a battery compartment in the base and an on/off switch.  The reel is held on a metal post with coil spring and a pink paper base.  Through the base is a length of steel, curved round at one end and scalloped to provide a clamp to secure the sewing machine to a table top","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"E. M Gheysens Ltd","id":"A1157"},"association":{"text":"manufacturers","id":"AAT25230"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"plastic","id":"AAT14570"},{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"},{"text":"steel","id":"AAT133751"},{"text":"mild pressed steel","id":"x29569"}],"techniques":[{"text":"enamelled","id":"AAT53773"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"cream moulded plastic with steel parts, black wooden knob to turning handle, and a base of mild pressed steel enamelled red; the reel is wood","categories":[{"text":"Sewing, weaving and needlework","id":"THES393142"},{"text":"Tools and equipment","id":"THES48883"},{"text":"Crafting","id":"THES393481"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"YVA","id":"THES48593"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"SR050","id":"THES342002"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"SR050","id":"THES342002"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Sewing machine","id":""}],[{"text":"Instructions","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1965-1969","earliest":"1965-01-01","latest":"1969-12-31"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Nicola Gale","dimensions":[{"dimension":"height","value":"7½","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"width","value":"9","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"of base","note":""},{"dimension":"depth","value":"5","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"of base","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"LB italics with the L larger and the B sat within its boundaries","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"transfer","position":"side of machine","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"side of machine; transfer"},{"content":"LITTLE BETTY\r\nMADE IN ENGLAND\r\nin an oval design","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"incised","position":"sewing plate","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"sewing plate; incised"}],"objectHistory":"Belonged to Nicola Gale, born February 5, 1961 and given to her by her paternal grandmother between 1965 and 1969","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Sewing Machine, 'Little Betty' by E. M Gheysens Ltd., enamelled and pressed steel, wood and plastic, England, 1965-1969","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Dunn & Bradstreet British Middle Market directory, 1968"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"British Toy Fair Cat, 1969"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Toy Trader, 1969"}],"production":"Manufacturer - E M Gheysens Ltd, Lorne Road, Dover, Kent; established 1937, private company 1949; toymakers who made sewing machines under the trade name Little Betty\n\nReason For Production: retail","productionType":{"text":"Mass produced","id":"THES48863"},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["B.92:1-1998","B.92:2-1998"],"accessionNumberNum":"92","accessionNumberPrefix":"B","accessionYear":1998,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Sewing machine","Instructions"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-08-07","recordCreationDate":"1998-04-27","availableToBook":false}}