Congratulations on your new one! I'm glad it will have a good home. What area are you in? Here in Portland, OR I understand that there is a luggage repair shop that refinishes them. One of the quilt stores I go to the owner was talking about getting her case refinished. I really don't know the price since it wasn't brought.
I feel its character that was added to my antique. I have rubbed a little black shoe polish after washing it up and it looked a lot better. There is also the antique sewing machine section(on the board) you will find what to use for cleaning and polishing. Have fun, they sure are precious machines!