This is the place to come to learn about Avery style needle cases.

Misc. Other Variations

The remaining variations, which only occur in a couple of needle cases each, fall into the twelve categories listed below.

Photographs of the other variations listed below can be found on our individual Avery needle case web pages.  To see these photographs, select the Master List option from the menu bar at the top of this page.   Then select the appropriate needle case type which will provide you with links to the individual needle case pages.  However we may not have photos of all of these which is why we need your help.  If you have a needle case with one of these variations that doesn’t include a photo, or know of someone who has it, or have a new variation, please contact us so we can work with you to obtain a photograph.


Diamond Registration Mark

  1. Walnut on Leaf - registration mark is right-side-up
  2. Walnut on Leaf - registration mark is upside down

Different Backings


  1. Fan with pale blue backing marked H. Milward & Sons
  2. Fan with pale violet backing marked H. Milward & Sons
  3. Fan with pink backing marked H. Milward & Sons
  4. Fan with plain gray backing
  5. Fan with plain pale blue backing

Different Clasp or Catch


  1. Roses with Buds - Snap catch
  2. Roses with Buds - Clasp catch

Different Colored Fabric Tops


  1. Chair - blue velvet
  2. Chair - dark brown velvet
  3. Chair - green velvet
  4. Chair - light brown velvet
  5. Queen’s Footstool - black/greenish colored velvet
  6. Queen’s Footstool - light brown/brown velvet
  7. Queen’s Footstool - purple velvet
  8. Queen’s Footstool - pink/burgundy velvet
  9. Queen’s Footstool - blue velvet
  10. Queen’s Footstool - red velvet

Different Gemstone Eyes


  1. Bird on a Box - blue eyes (probably turquoise)
  2. Bird on a Box - green eyes

Different Inscriptions (other than company names)


  1. Demi-Quad - with patent in America on the side
  2. Demi-Quad - without patent in America on the side
  3. Golden Needle Case- with the word BETWEENS in the center on the front
  4. Golden Needle Case- with the word DARNERS in the center on the front
  5. Golden Needle Case- with the word SHARPS in the center on the front
  6. Golden Needle Case- with the word STRAWS in the center on the front
  7. Quadruple - with patented in America on the side
  8. Quadruple - without patented in America on the side
  9. Sheaf of Wheat - with Wheat Sheaf Needle Case inscription on the back
  10. Sheaf of Wheat - with no inscription on the back
  11. Temple Bar - with Erected in 1870 inscription
  12. Temple Bar - without inscription

Different Levers


  1. Quadruple - lever with ball shaped slide
  2. Quadruple - lever with rectangular shaped slide

Different Three-Wheeled Chairs


  1. Bath Chair - with two compartments and the word "Pins"
  2. Invalid Chair - with one compartment

Different Ways to Access an Interior Compartment


  1. Lion Lying on Plinth - with cast nickel-silver lion on lid
  2. Lion Lying on Plinth - with gilded cast lion and bottom hinged compartment

Parts Cut-Out


  1. Pocket Pin Case - with part of side cut-out
  2. Pocket Pin Case - without part of side cut-out

Same Name for Different Needle Cases


  1. Louise - Folding - unknown company version
  2. Louise - Square - W. Avery & Son version
  3. Victoria with Windmill and Horse - W. Avery & Son version
  4. Victoria with Belt Buckle - H. Milward & Sons version

With or Without Clips


  1. Cock Robin's Grave - without bottom side clips
  2. Cock Robin's Grave - with two bottom side clips

Master List

To date 227 Avery style needle cases have been discovered.  Visit these pages to see photographs of each design as well as the original design registration or patent and gain knowledge about variations within each design.

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Avery Survey

In 2013 an Avery Survey was created in order to gather as much information as possible about Avery style needle cases from collectors and interested parties around the world.  The Avery Survey is easy to complete and gives you a chance to contribute to this important research.  Be sure and stop here to see the survey results.

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About Us

Learn how the author turned a hobby cross stitching antique sampler reproductions into a passion for collecting Avery needle cases resulting in a published book, a Wikipedia article, a TCI Bulletin article and conference presentation and this website.

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