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I am trying to determine the value of a 1930s Singer Sewing Machine w/cabinet and manuals and some kind of a sock deal, to make socks.
I don't know too much about this particular unit, I am not a collector just someone who has ended-up with one and knows that some are with value. Trying to determine if it's worth selling or if I should fix it up and make it a plant stand. Thanks!
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(1) Take your machine to an experienced antique dealer. How much does she/he offer you? Multiply by at least 2.
(2) Find a similar machine at a busy antique store. Note the sticker price. Then ask the dealer how many years and months the machine has been sitting there with that price on it. Halve the dealer's price for every three months it has sat unsold.
(3) Post your machine on the eBay.com auction website for $9 with no reserve. Don't misspell "sewing machine". If your auction attracts bids, you'll soon know what it's worth at that time in that venue to those bidders. If it doesn't attract any bids, it's not worth even $9 at that time in that venue to those bidders.
(4) Watch eBay.com for the sale of similar machines. Bookmark the auction pages and go back and see what the final selling price is, assuming the machines actually sell and any reserve is met. How does your machine really compare with the sold machine? Be critical! Could you take pictures as well as the dealer who sold on eBay? Could you write as good a description? Are you willing to put in the time taking those pictures, writing that description, doing the accounting, and packaging this machine for safe shipment? If not, divide the eBay price by four and go back to your antique dealer with a printout of the auction page and a counter-offer.
(5) Search the web for machines like yours for sale by individual dealers and online antique malls. Note the price, and watch to see if they sell at that price.
(6) Read the ISMACS News quarterly magazine for auction results.
(7) Learn more about the history of your machine. Was the manufacturer financially successful? Were many of these machines made? Do many survive? Rarity is a major influence on value. Is your machine post-WWII? Is it from the 20th Century? Is it from the 19th Century? Age is a factor that impacts on rarity. The first practical sewing machine was invented in 1851; the closer to that date a given machine was made, the more it will likely be worth:
(2) Find a similar machine at a busy antique store. Note the sticker price. Then ask the dealer how many years and months the machine has been sitting there with that price on it. Halve the dealer's price for every three months it has sat unsold.
(3) Post your machine on the eBay.com auction website for $9 with no reserve. Don't misspell "sewing machine". If your auction attracts bids, you'll soon know what it's worth at that time in that venue to those bidders. If it doesn't attract any bids, it's not worth even $9 at that time in that venue to those bidders.
(4) Watch eBay.com for the sale of similar machines. Bookmark the auction pages and go back and see what the final selling price is, assuming the machines actually sell and any reserve is met. How does your machine really compare with the sold machine? Be critical! Could you take pictures as well as the dealer who sold on eBay? Could you write as good a description? Are you willing to put in the time taking those pictures, writing that description, doing the accounting, and packaging this machine for safe shipment? If not, divide the eBay price by four and go back to your antique dealer with a printout of the auction page and a counter-offer.
(5) Search the web for machines like yours for sale by individual dealers and online antique malls. Note the price, and watch to see if they sell at that price.
(6) Read the ISMACS News quarterly magazine for auction results.
(7) Learn more about the history of your machine. Was the manufacturer financially successful? Were many of these machines made? Do many survive? Rarity is a major influence on value. Is your machine post-WWII? Is it from the 20th Century? Is it from the 19th Century? Age is a factor that impacts on rarity. The first practical sewing machine was invented in 1851; the closer to that date a given machine was made, the more it will likely be worth:
I like your last phrase "I'd rather make it a plant stand" if I were you.
It's probably a plant stand.
I looked into selling my mom's old singer last year. There are a ton of these on the market, they last forever and are still useful for some sewing siturations even if you have a modern electric so they didn't get thrown out like black and white tvs. My mom used her old singer as the base for her new electric for years.
The sock making attachment and the manuals might be worth selling. Just put them on to eBay and see if they go.
I looked into selling my mom's old singer last year. There are a ton of these on the market, they last forever and are still useful for some sewing siturations even if you have a modern electric so they didn't get thrown out like black and white tvs. My mom used her old singer as the base for her new electric for years.
The sock making attachment and the manuals might be worth selling. Just put them on to eBay and see if they go.
Vintage/Antique sewing machines really are a difficult thing to put a value on. Many times, the sentimental value is more than the actual dollar value. Many people do not sew and treadle sewing machines take up space. There are collectors out there, but be forewarned, many treadles are worth less than $100 to collectors. More hard to find, older and rare machines hold more value, but location, condition, manuals, attachments, wiring, cabinets and cases are a huge factor.
Most antique sellers are reluctant to take sewing machines because they do not sell quickly. Auctioneers report that they do not sell well at most auctions. In areas with an Amish population, round bobbin, treadle sewing machines may have a better chance of selling for a good price if they are in good condition.
While Singers are fantastic, solid machines, there were literally millions of them made. You can look up the serial number on the Singer web site http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html to find out the age and model of the machine. A picture and serial number would be necessary to provide any more information.
The Standard Sewing Machine Co. from Cleveland, OH began making sewing machines in 1884 and the company was bought out by Singer in the 1930's.
The best bet is to go to an antiques dealer, and this is the information you will need to keep in mind while getting its value appraised:
Where is the name found? On the sewing machine itself, on the treadle or on the table?
You might have a Singer machine and a STANDARD box and frame.
If the word STANDARD is on the machine, then it most likely dates to circa 1900.
Is the sewing machine operational and complete?
Do you have the box of attachments and original manual?
The cabinet:
- condition of the cabinet?
- type of wood (they were mostly oak but walnut was also used)
- how many drawers in the unit?
- is the cabinet ornate?
It is difficult to date a machine only by its serial number. The cabinet is also important when talking about value.
The cabinet-mounted electric Singer sewing machine was manufactured in the 1930s. The direct-gear heavy-duty model 15-91 operated with a full bobbin-winder attached to an electric motor.
This Singer Model 15-91 would be worth about $195. But it really is hard to say the value of something without seeing it first hand.
Please refer to this online guide - Determining the value of an old sewing machine:
http://sewingmachinerepair.blogspot.com/2008/05/determining-value-of-old-sewing-machine.html
Most antique sellers are reluctant to take sewing machines because they do not sell quickly. Auctioneers report that they do not sell well at most auctions. In areas with an Amish population, round bobbin, treadle sewing machines may have a better chance of selling for a good price if they are in good condition.
While Singers are fantastic, solid machines, there were literally millions of them made. You can look up the serial number on the Singer web site http://www.singerco.com/support/serial_numbers.html to find out the age and model of the machine. A picture and serial number would be necessary to provide any more information.
The Standard Sewing Machine Co. from Cleveland, OH began making sewing machines in 1884 and the company was bought out by Singer in the 1930's.
The best bet is to go to an antiques dealer, and this is the information you will need to keep in mind while getting its value appraised:
Where is the name found? On the sewing machine itself, on the treadle or on the table?
You might have a Singer machine and a STANDARD box and frame.
If the word STANDARD is on the machine, then it most likely dates to circa 1900.
Is the sewing machine operational and complete?
Do you have the box of attachments and original manual?
The cabinet:
- condition of the cabinet?
- type of wood (they were mostly oak but walnut was also used)
- how many drawers in the unit?
- is the cabinet ornate?
It is difficult to date a machine only by its serial number. The cabinet is also important when talking about value.
The cabinet-mounted electric Singer sewing machine was manufactured in the 1930s. The direct-gear heavy-duty model 15-91 operated with a full bobbin-winder attached to an electric motor.
This Singer Model 15-91 would be worth about $195. But it really is hard to say the value of something without seeing it first hand.
Please refer to this online guide - Determining the value of an old sewing machine:
http://sewingmachinerepair.blogspot.com/2008/05/determining-value-of-old-sewing-machine.html
We had one for sale in Toronto (very similar to yours but mounted in a full size sewing table with foot treadle - we got $120 (Canadian) for it and he picked it up - i.e. no delivery/shipping cost to us.
Unfortunately these old Singer sewing machines are not particularly valuable. Still, eBay is an alright place to check prices, in this economy Craigslist has been much more successful. Check there for similar items all around the country, price accordingly.
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