James M. Bottum - History | VintageMachinery.org

Manufacturers Index - James M. Bottum

James M. Bottum
New York, NY, U.S.A.
Manufacturer Class: Metal Working Machinery

History

Last Modified: May 28 2025 10:34PM by Jeff_Joslin
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In 1857 James M. Bottum of 169 Broadway in New York City was manufacturing watchmakers' lathes.

1854 report on exhibits at the 1853-4 New York Exhibition. "84. Bottum, James M., Bridgeport, Connecticut.—Patentee. Improved patent lathe and lathe-chucks for turning and finishing watch-pivots, staffs, &c."
1855 Report of Judges on Machinery, Etc., at the 27th Annual Fair of the American Institute. "No. 24—Watchmakers' Lathes. J. M. Bottum, 169 Broadway. Unrivalled in finish and workmanship. A gold medal awarded."
1857 Transactions of the American Institute of the City of New York, page 117, shows a watchmakers' lathe from "Jas. M. Bottom [sic], 169 Broadway New York". See the Images tab to view the text and illustrations.
1855-56 Trow's New York City Directory lists "Bottum James M. lathes, 169 Broadway".
1856-57 Trow's New York City Directory lists "Bottum James M. lathes, 169 Broadway h B'klyn".
1857-58 Trow's New York City Directory lists "Bottum James M. lathes, 169 B'way h Brooklyn".
1858-59 Trow's New York City Directory lists "Bottum James M. lathes, 169 B'way".
1859-60 Trow's New York City Directory lists "Bottum James M. lathes, 169 B'way h Western h".
A reprint of an 1852 24-page booklet by James M. Bottum, Directions for Using Bottum's Patent Improved Universal Lathe Chucks and Improved Lathes: For Turning and Finishing Every Description of Watch Pivots, Pinions, Staffs &c., is available.