ISMACS was formed in 1985 by a small group of English sewing machine collectors.
Since then it has grown into a near-500-strong international group with members in every continent and branches in American and Australia.
Members include the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and the Science Museum in London. Most large international auction houses also subscribe.
ISMACS is recognised as the leading authority on early sewing machine history and is regularly consulted by the media, museums and other institutions.
The society maintains the world's finest archive with copies of manuals, early advertisments, patents etc. All are available to members.
ISMACS Founder, Graham Forsdyke,
and ISMACS Secretary, Maggie Snell
A regular, professionally-produced magazine is printed four times a year. It varies from 40 to 56 pages and contains a wealth of research findings, social reports, details (with prices) from auction sales throughout the world, hints and tips on restoration, etc. For ease of use, a detailed index is provided annually.
Features include pages on toys, Singer Featherweights and detailed histories of pioneering companies.
New members receive a 'starter kit' with a list of books, both in and out of print, a guide to assessing the condition of a machine, rarity charts and even help in locating collectable models.
Regular meetings are held in the UK and there are annual get-togethers in Australia and plans to extend this to the USA.
The annual convention is the highlight of every sewing-machine collector's year. In 1996 over 170 members from throughout the world attended and took part in the largest-ever antique sewing machine auction where models were sold from between £5 ($7) and £8,000 ($13,500). Members who are unable to attend may still take part in the auction and buy or sell machines.
The world's leading collectors belong to ISMACS.
You could join them.