How Much Is an Antique Singer Sewing Machine Worth?

An antique Singer sewing machine does not have a single value. Many models were made in very large numbers, and most remain decorative or sentimental objects. A few are genuinely sought after: certain specific models, machines in very good condition with their gold decoration intact, portable or miniature models, or machines set on a fine, complete cabinet. To find out where yours stands, you need to look at the model, the condition, the cabinet and the accessories.

How much is an antique Singer sewing machine worth?

This is the first question, and the honest answer is: it depends. We do not give a figure without having seen the object, because two machines that look alike can be very different.

What to keep in mind:

• the Singer name is known to everyone, but it is not enough to make the value;
• the more of a machine that was produced, the more common it is on the market;
• condition and completeness count almost as much as the model;
• an object that works, or that could be put back in working order simply, sells more easily.

Singer is an American company, founded in the mid-19th century around Isaac Merritt Singer. Its machines were sold all over the world, and many are found in attics and cellars in France. That is precisely why many remain of modest interest.

What criteria determine the value of a Singer machine?

The model

The model can be recognised by the shape of the machine, its decoration and its number. Hand-crank machines, treadle machines and electric models do not appeal to the same buyers. Some models interest collectors, others people who sew and want a sturdy machine, and others still people who love decor.

The condition

Look closely at:

• the paint and decoration: the gold patterns on a black background (the decals) should be legible, without large worn-away areas;
• the chrome or nickel parts: rust, pitting and corrosion lower the interest;
• the mechanism: does the wheel turn freely, is the needle original, is anything stuck or broken?
• consistency: a machine reassembled with parts from other models is less sought after.

The cabinet

Many antique machines sit on a cabinet, with a cast-iron base and a wooden top, sometimes with drawers and a treadle. This cabinet can be worth more than the machine alone. People who love decor readily buy the openwork cast-iron base, marked with the brand name, to turn it into a table or a desk. For the cabinet to keep its interest, it must be complete: treadle, belt, sound top, no split or worm-eaten wood.

The case and the accessories

Hand-crank machines are stored in a domed wooden case, often with a key. This case, when complete and in good condition, counts in the appraisal. Original accessories count too: shuttle, needle box, small presser feet, oil can, instruction booklet, original box. Keep them together, even if they seem incidental to you.

How do you date a Singer machine?

Every Singer machine carries a serial number. It is engraved on the metal, most often on the frame. Its location varies by model: look at the base of the arm, on the bed or near the base, under the dust and dried oil.

Singer issued its numbers in batches, according to factories and periods. Lookup tables exist, published and easy to find, which link a number to a year of manufacture. A few precautions:

• write down the whole number, including any letters before it;
• take a close-up photo of it, so you can read it again;
• treat the date you get as a guide, not an absolute certainty;
• if you are unsure how to read it, show us the photo.

Dating the machine helps place it, but is not enough to know its value: an old machine is not necessarily a sought-after machine.

Which Singer machines are the most sought after?

We stay cautious here, because tastes change. Still, a few markers can be given:

• light portable machines, such as the Featherweight, made in the 20th century: they appeal to people who sew as well as to collectors, because they are easy to carry and to repair;
• models with very fine gold decoration, such as those with the so-called "sphinx" motif, when the decoration is still well preserved;
• miniature or children's machines: they are rarer than the common models;
• very complete machines, with their case, accessories and booklet;
• sturdy models still used today by people who sew, sought after for their reliability.

Conversely, a common machine that is badly damaged, with a worm-eaten cabinet and worn-away decoration, is unlikely to interest a collector. It may keep a sentimental value, or a decorative interest.

Can you sell a machine that no longer works?

Yes. A fault does not make the machine worthless. Often the mechanism is simply seized up by old oil, a belt needs replacing or a needle is bent. For a buyer, the essential thing is that the machine is complete and original.

One piece of advice: do not take it apart "to see". Screws get lost, parts get mixed up, and the paint is sometimes damaged. It is better to show it as it is.

Should you clean or repair it before selling?

It is better to do little.

• Dust with a soft, dry cloth.
• Avoid strippers, abrasives and strong household products: they can wipe off the gold decoration.
• Do not repaint the machine: repainting generally reduces its interest.
• Do not try to force it back into working order, especially if the wiring is old: a damaged cord is dangerous.

Overzealous cleaning sometimes loses more than it gains. We prefer to see the object just as it came out of the cupboard.

Where can you sell an antique Singer sewing machine?

Several routes exist:

• an antiques dealer, who takes machines and cabinets when they are of interest; this is what we do with our purchase of antiques and old objects;
• flea markets and brocantes, where people who love decor come to hunt for finds; you can find us at our Vanves flea market stand at weekends;
• private sales, which take longer, with exchanges to manage and a heavy machine to transport;
• donation, when the object has no market value but can still be of use to someone.

A machine with its cabinet is heavy and bulky: shipping it is complicated. An appraisal from photos often saves an unnecessary trip.

What should you do with a sewing machine in a house to be cleared?

The sewing machine is a classic of family homes. It turns up in the attic, in the cellar, under a sheet. In an inheritance, it may have a sentimental value the heirs want to keep, or it may be for sale or for donation. Our article on what to do with the furniture and objects of an estate explains how to organise (it covers French inheritance in France).

If the house has to be cleared, our house clearance service lets us sort things: what has value is appraised and bought, what can be of use is given to charities, and the rest goes to the appropriate channels. The amount of the purchase is deducted from the price of the clearance.

How do you get your Singer machine appraised?

A few photos are enough for a first opinion:

1. the whole machine, seen from the front and the side;
2. the serial number, close up;
3. the gold decoration, to judge its condition;
4. the cabinet, with the treadle and the underside of the top;
5. the accessories, the case and any papers.

You can also ask us to come and see the object at your home: our home appraisal costs nothing, commits you to nothing, and we travel free of charge in Paris and Île-de-France. If you decide to sell, we buy with immediate payment by bank transfer.

For a free appraisal, call us on 06 24 56 38 58 (+33 6 24 56 38 58 from abroad) or send a few photos of your machine on WhatsApp to the same number.