Donna,
I recently got the same machine. Mine was made on May 15th, 1940. 15,000 were made. It is in a wooden cabinet that I am going to have to refinish. It came with a matching stool and all of the attachments. I have been doing a lot of research on the old singer machines (I now have four treadle machines that I am also refurbishing) and learned that "the 201 machines were introduced in 1936 and are regarded as the best machine that Singer ever designed." This is a quote from the treadle on site that I joined to find out more information about antique machines and for obtaining more information on how to refurbish them. It should make you feel better about your new baby. Congratulations again.
Brenda (New Jersey)