My criteria for purchasing a vintage sewing machine is if I really, really, really want it I buy it, often with a little dickering. If the machine is rare, comes with attachments, the wiring is good and has a manual is also considered in the decision making. I was lucky enough to get a manual with my Pink Atlas. It was purchased in 1959 and on one of the pages it lists the price of $219.50. Well in today's dollars that would amount to almost $1,800.00. That was a big purchase in 1959.