THIS is AMAZING
 

...at least it is in our part of the world!

A 1910 Singer model 15 with pristine Sphynx decals. Apparently used (and looked after) by missionary nuns.

Special thanks to ManicMike who spotted the ad - it was listed in my new locale, so it was easy enough for me to drive the hour out of town to go and grab her. She is called "Maya" ;)

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Woooooaaaahhhh!!! She's STUNNING! Congrats! :thumbup:

It's so nice to see a sphinx in that condition. It seems to be one of the harder decal patterns to find really nice examples of.

I should have known, lol! I saw the machine before I saw the locale. It seems the machines that are really pristine are often in England or Australia. Nice find!

Thanks guys! Macybaby, I agree wholeheartedly. In fact, it was SO good that when I saw it, I had a moment of wondering whether it was one of those Indian copies (until I remembered they have red in them or something) ... it is almost surreal seeing them in this condition, so used to the way they looked when they are silvered.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! She's gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ooooh gorgeous machine!

Stunning! Those classics have such style and panache, something the newer ones just don't have. (Much as I might like the new convenient features). Lucky you!

Wow! She's gorgeous! Congrats~~

How lovely...she was cared for so nicely...

It is a beauty!!

That is an absolutely gorgeous machine. I have one with the Sphynx decals but not in nearly as nice condition.

I don't even collect these old machines, but it had a moment of envy :). She is beautiful, even to someone as unqualified as me.

A "Goddess" indeed ....and in the land of Aus. Wow!

Ok, So I am REALLY not a fan of this pattern, but I'd make room in my collection for that amazing machine! Well done!

You have quite a history of care to live up to... I am sure it will be at least as well cared for and far more appropriately, used!!

Wow, that is an awesome machine!

Fantabulous!!! I have a Sphinx which I thought was in pretty good condition but yours is the "bomb"!!

What a beauty and great provenance to go with her. So glad you adopted her!!!

Mine is so worn out looking...... wowzer.

Ohhhh, what a beauty. Congratulations!

I don't think I have seen one that nice. Good score!

Wow! That one is a beauty. Sorry, firsst thing I did was look for the black plastic feed dog knob the reproductions have. I'm happy to see it's not there.
Rodney

She's beautiful beyond description. My goodness, I would love to know the history of some of these old machines, who owned them, and where the families of these owners are today and what they are doing with their lives.

Jeanette

... I'm hoping to use it Steve, but I have to confess that after today's attempt at cleaning up the metal parts, I might be too scared! It's super shiny but I'm not convinced there's any shellac still protecting the decals. I've never had a machine where I needed to worry about it before so I'm a bit stressed out about that. I wanted to remove the rust blooming on the corroded parts before I put it away until after I move. This one deserves some extra care and patience to get back to working order :)

... and I'm glad you like it! It's almost too gaudy with all the gold intact, so I know what you mean, but it really is incredible to see it like when it was new!

Don't blame you Rodney!

I was very pleased to find out even a little something about the owners. I've had a run of getting machines and finding out absolutely nothing, so it was a nice change :)

Beautiful machine! Glad you got it!

The decals are just stunning!! Thank you for sharing a picture of your machine.
Is it a hand crank or a treadle?
Sharon

I saw one of these in much worse condition recently on shop goodwill, I think. Your's is so much more beautiful! I'd be afraid to touch it at all - maybe it belongs in a museum!

Margaret

It has a hand crank on it Sharon but the decorations on the crank are for a lotus machine. So maybe I need to see if there's anyone out there with a sphynx hand crank on their Lotus that wants to swap ;)

Wow, that is a find! Congratulations!

I have a bag of shellac flakes if you want to have a go at putting some of it back

Where did you find shellac flakes?

An art shop in Perth called Jackson's. So far have beautified several cabinets but no machines (yet). Same order included a pound of lump asphaltum, and I'll let you guess what that's for :shock:

I'll have to check the art store in my spare time.........

wow,great score on this beauty

Someone recommended Woodworker's Supply: http://woodworker.com/seedlac-mssu-8...c&searchmode=2

You can also check a fine woodworking supply place locally. I found this one, which is local to me but they do ship: http://www.shellac.net/Shellac_ordering_list.html
I haven't been there--yet--but they're on my list of places to check out. They do offer smaller quantities and what appears to be better pricing. They also offer the dye stains Glenn mentioned in his tutorial: http://www.shellac.net/SolarLuxDye.html

Sweet mother of God, it's so beautiful. Gratz!