nanna-up-north

I don't think anyone knows 'everything' about these machines but I'm such a newby that all of you seem to be experts to me..... you deserve the compliment.... don't cut yourself short! I appreciate all the advice I've gotten on this board.

nanna (Jean)

BoJangles

Ok Cathy as much as I love you and your knowledge I have to differ with the 'reproduction' or 'nostalgic' terms. I couldn't sleep last night and thought about the two terms. The 'nostalgic' does have a certain romantic notion, but to me does not describe those machines so I looked up the meaning of both terms.

Reproduce, reproduction, means the process of making a copy of something . . . . made by reproducing an original, copy, duplicate . . . etc.

Nostalgic mean a sentimental or wishful yearning for the happiness felt in a former time, place, or situation . . . a sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.

I know all of us could probably use either term to describe those machines that are copies of the original Singers, but to me they will always be a reproduced copy. I can't think of them as nostalgic, even though that term does sound much nicer!

Cathy you are just such a sweet person, you want the nice term used, but is it really the correct term?

Nancy

BoJangles

Valerie, the first time I saw one of the reproduced machines I was dumbfounded! I didn't know they existed either! I knew there are treadles still being produced for the Amish and countries with little or no electricity. The 'new' treadles I had seen produced for the Amish, for example, looked like a modern machine that does decorative stitches, etc., - they were just in a treadle. I didn't know about those machines being produced to duplicate original Singers. The first one I actually saw in person was at my Sewing Repair guy's shop. It looked like an original, but different. It didn't look as well made, it looked smaller - maybe because the treadle was small - it looked gaudy, it looked beat up already, and it was having lots of problems - hence in the repair shop. But, seeing it amazed me to no end! I had no idea it was a reproduction until Billy came up one day with the notion he was going to import and sell those machines here. I think, he found there were not too many people here in the US interested in buying an American icon being reproduced in Taiwan or somewhere else so he dropped the idea. Here in the Vintage shop, we all want the real deal even though I think I would have bought that repro HC that my friend bought just to have one to show off and explain to people what it was!

Nancy

Oh Cathy, I just thought of something - how about a compromise! We will call those machines a "duplicate" of an original Singer!

BoJangles

Jean you are sweet, and I too appreciate all that I have learned in the 3 + years I have visited here!

Nancy

vintagemotif

Nancy, I looked all over the machine for a marking stating made in Taiwan, but I don't see one. This is a photo of the underside for you. All metal with Singer stamped parts. You can see the serial # ND976655 stamped into the machine. I looked that number up back in 2010; back then, the Singer's list stated that it was made in Taichung Taiwan.

Nancy, you state that she has a HC to this machine. I see a portion of it in the picture. That HC is much better than the HC I have to my machine. Is the HC handle wood or plastic? Another plus to that machine is that it came with a nice HC. How much are Singer HC going for these days on Ebay? She could always swap the wheel and HC onto another machine for use. I know you don't like to do that since you like to keep all original parts on each machine. But let us just look at it as an big IF she wants a spoked wheel and HC on a different machine for a period of time. They are easy to swap back and forth. I have done this with mine numerous times.

As to made in this country, hmmm, that is a matter of interests. I have numerous Singer machines made in different parts of the world, Great Britain and Taiwan, just happened that way. I wasn't on a hunt to find x machine made in x country.

Her machine came in a very nice box with lid. The cost and time just to make that is worth that extra $40.
Her HC is so much nicer than mine. Her HC is worth some money and the spoked wheel. As I stated, I don't know the ebay rates for these items today.

She could also look at the machine as the odd duckling. It has a tattoo that is a wee bit loud with some coloring- goes with the fashions of today.

BoJangles

You know Monica, I agree Debbie's machine is an odd duckling. I would have probably bought it too, just to have one duplicate, odd machine to show off! I would rather have the HC than a treadle. I don't have room in my house for a reproduction type treadle. I'd rather have the real deal, but the HC is really pretty and interesting! I would imagine those machines are not very common in this country too - more desire to own one just for the heck of it!

As to it being made in Taiwan, or India, or China, or some other country - I don't think that is as important to Debbie as the fact that she thought she bought an antique Singer! I too have several machines made in Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, Japan, and probably Taiwan, but my friend is just getting into vintage machines, and she really wanted an original with really nice decals! There is a big difference between getting the original real deal and a copy of the original! Like I said, I'd buy one of those if I saw one at a yard sale, etc., just to own one - but, not the treadle! I will save my cabinet space for the original models!

Oh switching out the HW and HC is a good idea, but Debbie is not into vintage yet so she would have nothing to switch them on to. I don't know if the knob on the HC is plastic or not. Anyway, I may talk her out of that machine. She is really disappointed in it, and I wouldn't mind owning one!

Nancy

JudyTheSewer

Jljack - that cabinet front looks really pretty. Is the coffin top as nicely detailed? Lucky you for finding that!

pumpkinpatchquilter

Hehehe, Miriam you have a beautiful name - my last name is Smith and even though it's the easiest name on the PLANET it's still often spelled wrong or pronounced wrong...I can only imagine the difficulty people must have with Miriam! Lol*

What I am curious about, is what were they reproduced for? Are they reproduced for the purpose of nostalgia or were they reproduced for the purpose of duping newbie collectors?

I too would probably not pass up the opportunity to own one for a reasonable price out of fascination and curiosity.

Also - I wonder if the antique dealer who sold it to this woman for the extra $40 knew that it was a reproduction??

Ahhh, I didn't know they reproduced the treadles either! Well sheesh, now I'm really interested. We live in a heavily Amish populated area and I had heard that they buy up treadles at the local auctions but had no idea that they still made them to this day for that purpose. Now see, where would I be without this thread??? Lol*

BoJangles

Valerie, I doubt very much they are being reproduced to dupe newbie collectors. They are probably being reproduced just as a gimmick to sell something different! Nostalgia may play a roll, although, the people reproducing those machines in Taiwan, or India, or China, probably don't have any nostalgic connections to the machines. There is still a real need for HC's and treadles all over the world. Singer is just trying to hone in on that market - in my opinion! I bet there are people who buy them just because they do remind them of something old and dear! I honestly think they are cute and Singer has probably duped lots of people who think they have an antique in great shape. As far as the antique dealer, who knows if he knew what he sold Debbie? He may not have known. I don't think there is a lot of information out there about those reproduced machines - at least not in my neck of the woods? Lots of people don't know about them. I think things go in full circle. It is quite common for something old to come back. The problem is, the workmanship is no where near that of the original machines. I highly doubt those reproduction models will last 100 + years! I think the production of the repros is pretty smart on Singer's behalf. I mean if you want a machine that only straight stitches, is only around $100 brand new - and something to show off - why not buy something pretty and different than the plastic wonders!

Nancy

BoJangles

I would love to get this table and put it in my sewing room with a cutting mat on it. Wouldn't that be cute? I just wish it had been made with the original treadle legs not the straight (later years) treadle legs! It worries me that he says one of the legs had been repaired too!

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/atq/3341947715.html

Nancy