Two Singer Sewing Machines
 

Hello,

I have two Vintage Singer Sewing Machines. I'm trying to date and value both. The Serial Numbers are AJ851061 and G779255.

I have looked on the IMACS site. Still confused.

The other one....

AJ851061; model 66, 28. of August 1950. I guess that's the machine in the picture, stitch length lever and backtack.

G779255; model 66, 5. of October 1910. That's a model with a round stitch length knob and no revers.

Any idea on value? Would the 1910 be motorized?

You 1910 machine is in nice condition, the so called "red eye" decals are sought after. It was probably a treadle originally, and someone converted it to electric. The base is of course nicked from another sewing machine. Do motor and light have the Singer logo? Both bases are probably nicked from Japanese made machines (plastic bit holding the machine to the case).

The Black one.

The ornate one

I'll bite. For your 1950 Singer 66 that needs to be rewired (at least the controller end), I don't care for the 'Godzilla' finish. It also has a ratty base, difficult-to-remove tape residue on bed, and a missing slide plate; all 'minus points.' The biggest negative is that I don't need (want) another 66, so MY 'value' would be $10-20.

For your non-reverse 1910 Singer 66 with good decals but not in a Singer base, the spoked balance wheel would probably say that it was converted after-the-fact to electric. From what I can see, the motor does not appear to be date comparable to the machine; but I believe Singer sold electrified 66's at that date. If I wanted another 66 (to put a hand crank on it, for instance), MY 'value' would be $20-30.

Valuing a machine is like asking someone the value of an old Lincoln penny. If I am not a collector of Lincoln pennies, the value is $0.01. If I am a collector of rare, old Lincoln pennies, then the value to me would be something great than $0.01 if I wanted one with that particular coin's unique characteristics (date, condition, rarity, etc.) For both old pennies and old sewing machines, millions and millions were made, so it really comes down to "beauty (and value) is in the eye of the beholder."

John Thomas in NC

Thanks for the info.

I don't know when Singer introduced the smaller solid hand wheel. There are a few places on the web naming model 99 as the first machine factory fitted with motor and lights, early 1920s, (21 or 22). Motor was available decades earlier, but were either fitted on later or on special order. I have yet to find comprehensive info on this. The prices on motors dropped around 1930 making it much more affordable to convert older models to motor and lights. It was commonly done way into the 1950s, probably until around 1960. We still fix up these old straight stitchers for their dependability.

I have a 99 and two 201s, and no need for another straight stitchers. That said, both of these are nice fix up machines, and someone will be intersted in them. I value both of them about the same. For the 1950 machine, a missing bobbin cover is easily replaced. Cabinets and cases are harder to find, but motor, lights and pedal are there and are a pluss. A pedal easily go for $10-20? I payed just over $80 for my 201 in a small cabinet, a few smaller parts needed to be replaced, but accessoires were there and mostly complete. I guess fixups like these will go for $30-40 to a person looking for a straight stitcher?

I have read of at at least two people who had looked for more than three years to find a "red eye" 66, and jumped at the first chance. I don't know how common it is, but it turnes up now and then just about anywhere.