Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main > For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
Bel Air Imperial Sewing Machine - 1952 >

Bel Air Imperial Sewing Machine - 1952

Bel Air Imperial Sewing Machine - 1952

Old 02-07-2012, 07:30 AM
  #11  
Super Member
 
Charlee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 6,442
Default

Dawn, it's the one word "Occupied" that makes the machine worth a bit more... the guy is right, "Made in Japan" isn't much to crow about and certainly doesn't make them worth more....but "Occupied Japan" carries a bit more value in most collector's eyes.

Now...go get that handcrank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll bet it's a28K, and they're FUN to sew on! The slide plate is an easy replacement!
Charlee is offline  
Old 02-07-2012, 07:39 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
DawnFurlong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 580
Default

Thanks Charlee! Hand-crank machine is floating around in the back of my mind. It was really a pretty machine. I was amazed that the shuttle looked like a polished, shiny silver bullet!

Found a picture online - this was about what she looked like. I did like the way she sounded. Also, I was thinking I could keep her downstairs and do some piecing (without isolating myself from the family). She is not loud - so think I could do that and not interfere sound-wise with what others are doing. I think my husband is starting to feel like a quilt widow!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]309657[/ATTACH]
Attached Thumbnails bsm-hand-crank.jpg  
DawnFurlong is offline  
Old 02-07-2012, 08:16 AM
  #13  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Mesa AZ
Posts: 219
Default

Thanks ,Miriam great help.
hershery is offline  
Old 02-07-2012, 08:37 AM
  #14  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North Carolina - But otherwise, NOTW
Posts: 7,940
Default

What a lovely little machine. I like the decals a lot. These little Japanese 15 clones are just wonderful, and I think you will really enjoy it. I know I enjoy mine!
jljack is offline  
Old 02-07-2012, 08:56 AM
  #15  
Super Member
 
chris_quilts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: leavenworth, ks
Posts: 3,093
Default

Originally Posted by DawnFurlong View Post
Chris - would love to see pictures of yours.

Jingle - sadly, it doesn't seem to be the case that this machine would be worth more due to the Occupied in Japan label. I found this interesting little blog yesterday (it is very hard to find info on these machines!!). http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/...s-and-60s.html
Dawn, I will post pictures later this afternoon or evening. "Made in Occupied Japan" does make the machine more valuable and more desirable for collectors. I have an antique dealer friend who looked at my machine and he did say it was the "Occupied Japan" words that made her valuable to collectors. he did say just made in Japan did not make it valuable and, in fact, might lower its resale value because they are so commonly found. He does not carry sewing machines, except parlour type cabinet ones but has done his research in this area. I do believe him to be truthful in this area as he had no horse in the race. _ Chris
chris_quilts is offline  
Old 02-07-2012, 05:41 PM
  #16  
Super Member
 
chris_quilts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: leavenworth, ks
Posts: 3,093
Default

As promise, here are pictures of Hotaru (firefly). Her serial # is B517288. Have never found JA # or JC # b- perhaps before that badging began. The front badge is exactly the same as Dawn's. I paid $50 for her approximately 1 1/2 years ago. The top picture is the machine; the middle picture is her badge; and the bottom is her green faux crocodile covered case.
Attached Thumbnails front-hotaru-firefly-.jpg   hotarus-badge-shows-la-occupied-japan.jpg   hotarus-green-case.jpg  
chris_quilts is offline  
Old 02-07-2012, 06:53 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
DawnFurlong's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 580
Default

Chris - she cleans up nice - pretty! Love the green crocodile case too! I'll have to start ordering the parts I need for her (power cord, foot controller cord - actually, think it could use a whole new foot pedal, new light and new tension assembly). And - I'll have to come up with a name. :-)
DawnFurlong is offline  
Old 02-07-2012, 08:41 PM
  #18  
Super Member
 
chris_quilts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: leavenworth, ks
Posts: 3,093
Default

Originally Posted by DawnFurlong View Post
Chris - she cleans up nice - pretty! Love the green crocodile case too! I'll have to start ordering the parts I need for her (power cord, foot controller cord - actually, think it could use a whole new foot pedal, new light and new tension assembly). And - I'll have to come up with a name. :-)
For names, I just googled Japanese names and there are loads of sites with them. I did briefly consider Eri which means blessed prize but liked the quirkiness of Hotaru for firefly. My other Japanese machine that's upstairs is names Kazumi - harmonious beauty. There are a bunch of unisex namnes as well on the site I used so there's always that option. What is the serial # for your machine? Just curious if it is lower or higher than mine.
chris_quilts is offline  
Old 06-13-2015, 10:38 PM
  #19  
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: California
Posts: 3
Default

Your machine is just like the one I bought, also 600. My case is brown though. And serial number starts with 54. I was wondering, if you have a manual?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]522290[/ATTACH]
Attached Thumbnails 18391638130_cf580768d9.jpg  
Peacefirst is offline  
Old 06-14-2015, 07:16 AM
  #20  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Centralia, WA, USA
Posts: 4,890
Default

Peacefirst it's good to see you're doing the research trying to find answers on your own. You might find you get better results by posting your questions all in one thread though. It will be easier for you to track responses that way at the very least.
The machine strongly resembles a Singer 201. A look at the underside will prove it one way or the other. Singer 201s had a fairly unique gear driven fully rotary hook assembly. If you don't see a gear drive then the underside is based on something else, most likely a 66. It will probably be a long while before you find an exact original manual. Singerco.com has manuals for 66s and 201s available as free downloads. The 201 manual is probably closest. It will at least show you how to thread the machine and how to adjust your tensions.
Rodney
Rodney is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DawnFurlong
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
21
10-12-2020 06:10 AM
ladydukes
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
1
02-02-2017 05:50 PM
Anne S
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
11
07-20-2016 07:28 AM
DaveAZ
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
14
02-08-2014 12:53 PM
amazon
Pictures
8
11-14-2010 10:31 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter