Antique 1920 SINGER Sewing Machine
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 6
Antique 1920 SINGER Sewing Machine
Hello But Forgive me I flat out don't know a thing about Sewing Machinecollecting but find old vintage appliances fascinating I am a Picker like you see on The Show American Pickers and I came a cross this lovely looking Singer the price I could not pass up. So I bought it for I think $10 Looked up the Serial Numbers G8451943 and its from the 1920s its has all its original wiring motor and light I would Like help to know what its worth and where to sell it I needs to go to a home where some one can use it and love it an help would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
Thank you!
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Centralia, WA, USA
Posts: 4,890
Welcome! It's either a Singer 15 or 115. A look at the bottom will tell you for sure. If the bobbin area is small, it's a 115. If it's large then it's a 15.
ISMACS has a page where you can match your machine's serial number to it's model and when that batch of serial numbers was authorized to be built.
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...-database.html
Appraisals are tricky. My area may have machines selling for higher or lower than yours. I would describe the machine itself as being in good condition. The decals are still in good shape. It looks like someone took a cabinet machine and converted it to be portable. Definitely a home made job but not terrible, I've seen far worse. The best way to determine value is to take a look at Craig's List and see what people in your area are asking. Keep in mind asking and selling price are two entirely different things. Don't be fooled by high asking prices either. There are plenty of dreamers out there looking to get rich. You can also check Ebay's sold listings for similar machines.
It's good you want to sell it to someone that will appreciate it as a machine. It's in good enough shape it shouldn't be parted out or made into something else.
My area for a machine in that condition $50 to $75 isn't unreasonable, your mileage will vary.
Rodney
ISMACS has a page where you can match your machine's serial number to it's model and when that batch of serial numbers was authorized to be built.
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...-database.html
Appraisals are tricky. My area may have machines selling for higher or lower than yours. I would describe the machine itself as being in good condition. The decals are still in good shape. It looks like someone took a cabinet machine and converted it to be portable. Definitely a home made job but not terrible, I've seen far worse. The best way to determine value is to take a look at Craig's List and see what people in your area are asking. Keep in mind asking and selling price are two entirely different things. Don't be fooled by high asking prices either. There are plenty of dreamers out there looking to get rich. You can also check Ebay's sold listings for similar machines.
It's good you want to sell it to someone that will appreciate it as a machine. It's in good enough shape it shouldn't be parted out or made into something else.
My area for a machine in that condition $50 to $75 isn't unreasonable, your mileage will vary.
Rodney
#3
In my area, I've paid about $10 for a machine like that. Always find it interesting when someone uses the top of the treadle cabinet to fabricate a portable case.
I've got several - how about you tell me where I can sell them- or even give them away!
I've got several - how about you tell me where I can sell them- or even give them away!
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Tri-Cities, WA
Posts: 1,063
I'd better jump in the car and drive to South Dakota before Cathy changes her mind!
Seriously, that is a lovely machine, but we don't do appraisals or sales on this board - it's for people looking to learn how to fix up their old sewing machines to be used and appreciated. If you would like to learn how to clean and repair your new Singer you can look at the "stickies" - the first five or six posts in this part of the site. Lots of people are willing to help - you just need to show lots of photos so we can see what a great job you do!
Seriously, that is a lovely machine, but we don't do appraisals or sales on this board - it's for people looking to learn how to fix up their old sewing machines to be used and appreciated. If you would like to learn how to clean and repair your new Singer you can look at the "stickies" - the first five or six posts in this part of the site. Lots of people are willing to help - you just need to show lots of photos so we can see what a great job you do!
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Millville, NJ
Posts: 1,835
I'm with Cathy, sell it cheap or give it away. The effort required to clean it and rewire it is more a labor of love than a money making venture. However, some parts of the country seem starved for the old machines so who knows what your local market is or what ebay might bring. Good Luck, I'm all for Capitalism.
Jon
Jon
Last edited by jlhmnj; 04-05-2015 at 04:04 PM.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Round Rock,Texas
Posts: 6,135
Its a 15 if the bobbin case has finger, 115 if it has no finger. My machine is a 1914- 115, it was stored in a shed for years, took months to get it cleaned up and sewing again. It had 2 mud wasp nests in the pillar and lots of rust. I named her "Opal Violet", two popular girls names from 1914, she needed pretty names so she wouldn't be so embarrassed about the beauty mark on her face.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/391684...57635200193383
Sharon
https://www.flickr.com/photos/391684...57635200193383
Sharon
#9
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
It's a beauty and a gem. May not be worth much, but it is so pretty I would put it on my piano for a "conversation piece" for a few years. Maybe someone will see it and really want to try to sew with it. And that's what you want. Who knows? Maybe you will be the one who will one day wish you could sew on it. Give yourself that chance.
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