The firm was founded in 1863 in Magdeburg, Germany by Friedrich Heinrich Mundlos and Hermann Schulz and traded as as Mundlos & Schulz. Initially the company's machines were based on the Singer principle but later Howe principle machines were introduced.
In 1874 Schulz left and H. Mundlos continued to produce sewing machines. In 1882 Rudolf Arent who had joined the company in 1876 became a partner and the firm became Mundlos & Co. By the 1880's Mundlos & Co was producing 40,000 machines a year and the company continued to introduce new models. Following World War 2 the manufacturing machinery was removed as war reparations but later production was restarted and Mundlos machines were available until 1962.
Original Victoria: Serial No. 366463.
Mundlos registered the Original Victoria name as a Trade Mark in 1896 and used it for a variety of models including Vibrating Shuttle machines.
The serial number is stamped on the rear slide plate and judging by the different languages on the front slide plate it was intended that this model was to be marketed in Germany, France and Great Britain.
The attachment compartment has the "roll top" cover with pin cushion. The case has "Original Victoria" in gold on its side.
The centre decal is of a schooner at sea, but this is over another decal (probably of mother of pearl flowers).
The brass boss at the base of the pillar features an image of Heinrich Mundlos which was used as the company's trade mark.
'The Champion of England' Serial No. 427370
This example was labelled for the American Sewing Machine Company, London which was founded by E. Todd in 1863 who originally imported American made treadle heads and sold them with a British made base as hand cranks.
This example is heavily worn and a better example is shown below. It features a "roll top" cover with pin cushion to the attachment compartment which was a feature of this company's machines at this time.
In addition to the serial number on the rear slide plate the company added another number on the bed of the machine behind the pillar, in this case 30236. We believe this number represents the number of this model built.
The front slide plate has the American Sewing Machine Company stamped on it.
Original Victoria: Serial No. 473470.
Despite being in very good condition sadly this machine came with a none original base and for the photographs we've used the base of the machine above.
It has its original manual which is captioned "The New High Arm-Sewing Machine" and is stamped by the retailer J. T. Sansom, The Corner Shop, 32 Leeming St., Mansfield.
There is no mention of the manufacturer either in the manual or on the machine. On the arm there is just the faint impression of "Original Victoria". In this case the additional number is 77088.
'The Champion of England' Serial No. 556539.
An excellent example of "The Champion of England" which has the standard features for this model. The second number is 161406.
The centre decal shows St. George on horse back slaying a dragon with a lance. The seven stars beneath were the American Sewing Machine Company's Trade Mark.
Thank you to Graham Forsdyke for valued information.
