One of our sellers specializes in out-of-print sewing machine manuals. It's
amazing how many vintage and antique machines there are out there, and having
the manual is really helpful if it needs repairs, or if you just want to use it
and can't figure out how to use all it's features, or even how to thread it.
The store is called Relics and the URL to the site is:
http://sewing-machine-manuals.com. Linda, the owner, was kind enough to submit
this informative article for TIAS.com to share. This is her second article,
and very helpful for people looking for the value of a machine.
Any working sewing machine has utilitarian value for people who sew. A pretty
sewing machine with a beautiful cabinet or case may well have decorative value
to some potential buyers. Very old machines and machines which represent an
important milestone in the sewing machine industry may have historical value.
These would include most very early machines, from the mid eighteen hundreds,
by both obscure and well known manufacturers, and a very few later machines.
Also included under this heading are machines which have been owned by someone
of historical significance, assuming that provenance can be established. And,
then there is collector's value. Most collections have a focus of some kind,
whether intentional or not. A machine which has historical value will always
be of interest to some collectors, but there are also those who focus on
machines with decorative and/or utilitarian value. Some collectors limit their
collection to a given manufacturer.
In the United States, Singer is unquestionably the most often collected brand.
Some collect only hand cranked machines, others only treadles. Some collect
only very small or toy machines. Some collect only from a specific time
period. Some collect machines based on the country of origin.
A real boat anchor of a sewing machine, with little potential for restoration,
may still have value for its parts. Both collectors and people who sew seek
out broken or incomplete machines in order to restore a better example of the
same machine which is missing parts. They are looking for parts machines. The
potential monetary value of a parts machine will be greatly influenced by the
value of a good example of the same machine.
Now, how does all this translate into monetary value? On a given day, a sewing
machine is worth only what a particular seller can sell it for, to a particular
buyer, in a particular venue. Value is not fixed, but fluid. Even so, it's a
good thing to consider that relatively few machines today command prices in the
hundreds of dollars and very, very few sewing machines will bring thousands of
dollars.
With reference to the history of your machine, was the manufacturer financially
successful? Were many of these machines made? Do many survive? Rarity is a
major influence on value, as is condition. Is your machine post WWII or is it
from earlier in the 20th century? Is it from the 19th Century? Age is a
factor that impacts on rarity. The first practical sewing machine was invented
in 1851. The closer to that date a given machine was made, the more it will
likely be worth. Most 20th century machines were made in the millions and most
survive in great numbers. In most cases, this will hold down retail value.
Some 20th century machine names on the machines are rare, but the machine model
itself is likely to be common because it was distributed under a number of
names.
Also, please be aware that most 20th century machines have a greater value as a
piece of useful equipment than as a collector's item. Finally, a machine owned
by a family member or friend may well be worth more in sentiment than in
dollars. If you find that your machine will not bring riches, consider letting
it bring pleasure instead. Even if closer relatives have rejected it, you
could seek further: a grandchild, niece, nephew, or cousin might greatly enjoy
a gift of your machine.
Here is the link to a page where you can order an appriasal for a sewing
machine:
http://pages.sewing-machine-manuals.com/173/InventoryPage/1818448/1.html
Thanks for your article, Linda! http://sewing-machine-manuals.com
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