Black Featherweights are basically the same but there were small changes through the years. Light switches can be in different places (right side, base of machine or up on the end of the light itself), the face plates (Egyptian scroll in earlier models, striated after 1952 or so). Later models also had a different style of decals on the base and the accessory trays and cases have several variations. The white and tan ones are different again, shorter fold up base, no decals, painted metal face plate and a wired in cord that directly attaches to the foot controller. It really depends on what you want, overall condition and whether any of these small differences matter to you.