spotted this old White Rotary at an antique mall
 

Friday was rainy and dreary here, so I decided to leave work early and browse a couple thrift stores and antique malls. At one I spotted this machine. Actually I just spotted the table with a bunch of stuff on it. Being curious, I cleared it off and opened it up. It looks like a nice old machine. I particularly like the lamp. Even the bulb seems to match it. I didn't get the serial number, but can anyone estimate the age? There was no price on it - don't you hate that?

Those old White's are very nice machines when in working order. Offer them what you think it is worth. It is a project. Is it all there? It needs to be rewired. Are there attachments? Can the seller prove that it sews?

an old White similar to this is my very favorite machine to sew on.

It was in an antique mall booth, no seller around, no price. It looks complete but the wiring is ratty, so I wouldn't want to plug it in. The decals look very nice, so it may not have been heavily used. What would be a good offer? My gut says $40-50, but being in an antique mall, they may be thinking three times that.

Get what price range you want to pay and ask them if this is for sale. Point out that it probably needs to be rewired and certainly a good cleaning. She could be a real beauty!

This machine works as a tread nicely as well.

I may stop back later this week and take another look. It's in a pretty neat fold down cabinet too.

I have purchased vintage machines at reasonable prices at antique malls. I usually make an offer and the owners usually counter offer. Why not offer $40 explaining it needs rewiring before you can even see if it is fixable? If the counter is too high just decline. I ended up getting a nice Singer 101 in a #40 library table for $27 that way!
One thing I hate at antique malls is they often use the sewing machine cabinet to display other items (usually breakable items...) and you have to clean off the cabinet to even look at the machine! And then they put a sticker either on the bed of the machine or on the beautiful wood cabinet! Rant over. Good luck!

good luck with it, it you get it. Hope you get it for a good price.

Linda - you must go to the same antique malls I do. At least 90% of the cabinet/treadle machines are folded away with all manner of stuff piled on top. This White was no different. But the pile wasn't too deep, so I moved it off, opened it up and snapped this photo. I'll look further into this one later this week.