Originally Posted by chris_quilts
Question: Has anyone talked to an insurance person about the antiquity/antiqueness of their sewing machines? I did today and was told that their value depends upon their collectibility and desirability. Now I have a couple that are rarer, also a requirement, perhaps than others but am unsure of how to proceed from here. I have one that is stamped "Made in Occupied Japan" and I have a National Two-Spool treadle which is complete and has a box of accessories/feet. He was unconvinced by my logic about their rarity. I don't know what to do about the insurance on the machines. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas about this? Thanks. :)
Here's the thing--though most of us consider our machines to be priceless, the rest of the world could basically care less. There are a few truly rare and truly worth-a-lot-of-bucks models, but they are mostly in private collections such as Carter Bays or Harry I-Can't-Remember-His-Last-Name in Charlotte. The rest of us have fairly common machines. Every so often, two bidders will get in a war over something on Ebay, and a common machine will sell for some outrageous price. We all shake our heads and wonder, but that doesn't mean we can sell OUR machines for that price. Off the top of my head, I can think of two machines that I have that might spark a bidding war on Ebay. Those two machines are the 431G, a German version of the 400/403 machines with a free arm, and a Singer VS I treadle. Even so, the 431G would probably only go for $500 tops and the VS I is anyone's guess. Maybe $100, maybe $600, depending on who wants it and who is close enough to get it.
Most people want Singers and will pay more because they're recognizable, but it's rare to get more than $150 for a decent treadle. I have seen Two Spool machines and Davis VF machines go unsold at collectors' gatherings, because they're common enough that if we want one, we find one.
Just my two cents worth, and that's ALL it's worth.