Bel Air Imperial Sewing Machine - 1952
#11
Dawn, it's the one word "Occupied" that makes the machine worth a bit more... the guy is right, "Made in Japan" isn't much to crow about and certainly doesn't make them worth more....but "Occupied Japan" carries a bit more value in most collector's eyes.
Now...go get that handcrank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll bet it's a28K, and they're FUN to sew on! The slide plate is an easy replacement!
Now...go get that handcrank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll bet it's a28K, and they're FUN to sew on! The slide plate is an easy replacement!
#12
Thanks Charlee! Hand-crank machine is floating around in the back of my mind. It was really a pretty machine. I was amazed that the shuttle looked like a polished, shiny silver bullet!
Found a picture online - this was about what she looked like. I did like the way she sounded. Also, I was thinking I could keep her downstairs and do some piecing (without isolating myself from the family). She is not loud - so think I could do that and not interfere sound-wise with what others are doing. I think my husband is starting to feel like a quilt widow!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]309657[/ATTACH]
Found a picture online - this was about what she looked like. I did like the way she sounded. Also, I was thinking I could keep her downstairs and do some piecing (without isolating myself from the family). She is not loud - so think I could do that and not interfere sound-wise with what others are doing. I think my husband is starting to feel like a quilt widow!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]309657[/ATTACH]
#15
Chris - would love to see pictures of yours.
Jingle - sadly, it doesn't seem to be the case that this machine would be worth more due to the Occupied in Japan label. I found this interesting little blog yesterday (it is very hard to find info on these machines!!). http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/...s-and-60s.html
Jingle - sadly, it doesn't seem to be the case that this machine would be worth more due to the Occupied in Japan label. I found this interesting little blog yesterday (it is very hard to find info on these machines!!). http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/...s-and-60s.html
#16
As promise, here are pictures of Hotaru (firefly). Her serial # is B517288. Have never found JA # or JC # b- perhaps before that badging began. The front badge is exactly the same as Dawn's. I paid $50 for her approximately 1 1/2 years ago. The top picture is the machine; the middle picture is her badge; and the bottom is her green faux crocodile covered case.
#17
Chris - she cleans up nice - pretty! Love the green crocodile case too! I'll have to start ordering the parts I need for her (power cord, foot controller cord - actually, think it could use a whole new foot pedal, new light and new tension assembly). And - I'll have to come up with a name. :-)
#18
Chris - she cleans up nice - pretty! Love the green crocodile case too! I'll have to start ordering the parts I need for her (power cord, foot controller cord - actually, think it could use a whole new foot pedal, new light and new tension assembly). And - I'll have to come up with a name. :-)
#20
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Centralia, WA, USA
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Peacefirst it's good to see you're doing the research trying to find answers on your own. You might find you get better results by posting your questions all in one thread though. It will be easier for you to track responses that way at the very least.
The machine strongly resembles a Singer 201. A look at the underside will prove it one way or the other. Singer 201s had a fairly unique gear driven fully rotary hook assembly. If you don't see a gear drive then the underside is based on something else, most likely a 66. It will probably be a long while before you find an exact original manual. Singerco.com has manuals for 66s and 201s available as free downloads. The 201 manual is probably closest. It will at least show you how to thread the machine and how to adjust your tensions.
Rodney
The machine strongly resembles a Singer 201. A look at the underside will prove it one way or the other. Singer 201s had a fairly unique gear driven fully rotary hook assembly. If you don't see a gear drive then the underside is based on something else, most likely a 66. It will probably be a long while before you find an exact original manual. Singerco.com has manuals for 66s and 201s available as free downloads. The 201 manual is probably closest. It will at least show you how to thread the machine and how to adjust your tensions.
Rodney
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