I found this unusual advertising card from the Singer Company, the largest manufacturer and purveyor of sewing machines in the world during the early 20th century.

The card lacks the name of a business; perhaps the establishment on East Orange Street was known simply as a Singer Store.  (It was.)

Interestingly, the postcard promotes the sale of an electric motor that could be attached to your treadle machine.

Electric sewing machines were available since the 1890’s, but were uncommon due to cost and the need for home electrification.

In the early 20th century, Singer was selling motors that could be used occasionally, in conjunction with a treadle machine.

By the 1920’s, Singer was selling popular models of fully-electric sewing machines, but still sold the auxiliary motors that could be attached to a foot-powered model.

The face of the card features a photograph of the production of cotton cloth in Lagos, which was then a Protectorate Colony of Great Britain.

The local workers are using a Singer machine.