I remember a huge display of replicas at one of the big quilt shows several years ago. While that $499 sounds high considering my Mom payed $135 for her freather weight in 1936 the price is not unreasonable. At the time my Mom made $1 a day working in a dimestore. That machine was her prize possession. I learned to sew on it. If the machine is made as sturdy as the originals your grandchildren will be using it someday.