You're correct. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antique says "common practice" but all older people I know immediately say 100 years.

Seems to me that "collectible" should be a description for some age time frame---might vary between categories of items of interest and their original popularity and production numbers. An 'eye of the beholder' thing maybe?

I knew an antique dealer who was very knowledgeable. He grew up around them. Was born and raised in southern Indiana. He had the most unique and beautiful items and furniture. To get to his property you had to go down this road his family made to get to the property. He had the cleanest antiques. some might be old and worn but always clean. He used his antique furniture with the exception of some of the upholstered pieces. He always said and antique was at the very least 100 years old. He became very ill and passed away. His sons and daughters sold many of the antiques but one of the grandsons and a granddaughter kept many and opened their own antique shops. If I ever had a question about any antique I could call him. Never knew his grands so I have no idea their names.

I thought that 50 years was antique. Anything before is vintage.

I have lots of vintage machines - just like me - I'd rather be vintage than antique myself!

40 is an antique?? Then I must really be a relic!! LOL

I'm with tenngal. I'd rather be "vintage" than antique myself. LOL

Well, antique or vintage, I love the older Singers; 66 Red Eye treadle and electric, 15-88 treadle, 15-91, 66-16 electric, 301, FW whatever we call them.