OldSewinGear News Reviews & How To's

Centennial or Not Centennial?

4/22/2013

Recently I was reviewing eBay listings for Singer 15-91's and a seller was
offering a "Centennial" 15-91. But the picture didn't look right. So I took a
closer look and sure enough the machine in question was NOT a "Centennial" model.

How did I know? You'll find out in a moment. But first, a brief history lesson.

Isaac Singer began manufacturing sewing machines in 1851. Over the next hundred years Singer Manufacturing Comany (aka Simanco) grew into a gigantic company with factories in half a dozen countries.

Singer celebrated 100 years of sewing machine manufacturing in 1951. To commemorate this milestone they issued a special edition of their standard models. There was nothing mechanically different about
the special edition. They weren't a different shape or a different color. But they had one very important distinguishing characteristic:

To commemorate 100 years of manufacturing, Singer struck a special edition trademark badge which graces the special edition models. The Centennial badge has a distinctive blue band around the edge and the words "A Century of Sewing Service 1851-1951"

Many of the machines of this limited edition were produced by the thousands or hundreds of thousands in previous and subsquent years, but only a limited number were issued with the blue badge. Which makes this special edition stand out as unique, and therefore more valuable in the eyes of collectors.

Which is why some sellers will tout a machine as a Centennial model to make their machine stand out in a crowd. While certainly misleading, some will argue that it is not technically fraudulent because the machine in question was manufactured in 1951, the year Singer celebrated their centennial anniversary.

Say what?

The issue is with serial numbers and manufacture dates.

The serial numbers of the blue-badged machines reveal that many of these machines were manufactured prior to 1951 and were labeled with the special edition badge for sale during 1951. For example, the blue badge pictured above belongs to a machine with a serial number allocated in 1949.

Which means that many machines with serial numbers or manufacture dates from 1951 do not carry a Centennial badge. But some sellers contend that if a machine was manufactured in 1951 then that makes it a Centennial model.

I do not agree. The term "Centennial" should be reserved for those machines marked by Singer as belonging to the commemorative special edition. That is what "special edition" means.

So next time you see "Centennial" in the headline, look for the distinctive blue band on the badge.  Then take a moment to reflect on the heritage and legacy of these remarkable sewing machines.

Happy Sewing!
Barbara

36 Comments

R. Rob Andre'

10/2/2013 09:39:30 am

Your info on the 301 was good, but if you want to read a thorough 'in-depth' study on the 301, along with much needed info on the 'Real' Limited Issue of the 301, i.e. re the 10,000 that were actually 'made' in 1951, prior to Singer's 'Grand Introduction' of it to the public in Oct '52, along with the Ser#'s dating which machines were which, look here: http://www.singer301.com/limited/default.html

OldSewinGear

10/2/2013 10:10:15 am

Thank you for sharing a great link!

Daniel

2/10/2020 06:45:24 pm

So I got one

Bernadette

7/27/2014 07:43:44 am

Hi Barbara,
The Singer serial number 'dates' are not manufacture dates, they are batch commission dates. You are absolutely right that they were preparing for the Centennial with machines commissioned as early as 1949, ready for sale in 1951. By about October 1951, the batches commissioned were not released with Centennial badges.

Shannon

1/30/2015 10:55:15 am

I just came across an old Singer and it has the same emblem shown of above with the blue ring but looking at the dates it show 1951. AK531xxx. How can I check this out further or at least get parts. Thanks

3/16/2015 03:30:12 pm

Where can I get further info?

3/17/2015 02:44:28 pm

Shannon,
I'm so sorry I missed your comment before. Many different models carry the Centennial badge, so you'll need to know your model number to get parts. You can call Singer at 1-800-4-SINGER. They can tell you the model number based on the serial number. Once you know the model number of your machine you should be able to obtain parts from an online seller. Hope this information helps. Barbara

Patricia

4/7/2017 09:09:29 am

I phoned 1-800-4-singer yesterday, gave the serial number and asked what model my machine was. They were not able to answer my question because they only had information up to serial numbers starting with E.

Dorothy Hall link

10/9/2017 04:31:56 pm

According to the list I have your machine was manufactured in 1962 in "K"
Karachi, Pakistan but I will continue to be sure.

Dorothy Hall

10/9/2017 04:46:41 pm

I stand corrected. My.
list shows
AK-000.01to
AK-000.57.820
manufactured
In 1950. I hope this helps.Look on ebay.com and Amazon for old Machines and parts first, the sewinpartsonline.com is what
I Do!

Eugenie

3/11/2015 06:50:13 am

I have the Anniversary series, it was my grandmother's and I use it all the time. It has the badge with the blue band, etc. It's a great little machine!

pam

3/12/2015 10:17:28 pm

My mom has this machine. How much are they worth, we may be having to sell.

Barbara

3/15/2015 02:28:51 am

Pam,
Thanks for asking. It isn't possible to specifically appraise a machine without seeing, touching, and testing it and we don't have the resources to do that cross country.

Generally speaking, though, the simple answer is: your machine is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

The value of any machine depends on several factors, including availability, condition, and presentation. Do some research before selling (or buying) any sewing machine. For example, check eBay or craigslist to see how many identical machines are currently for sale. Use the "completed listings" feature on eBay to see the selling price, not the asking price. Make an honest assessment of your machine's condition compared to others like it. If yours is dirty or scratched or in need of repair then you can't expect to sell it for top dollar.

Hope this information helps you and thank you for visiting!
Barbara

3/13/2015 03:48:36 am

Tina

3/13/2015 11:08:50 pm

Would like to know how much my machine is worth how do I find out

3/15/2015 02:24:25 am

Tina,
Thanks for asking. We get many inquiries like yours and the simple answer is: your machine is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

The value of any machine depends on several factors, including availability, condition, and presentation. Do some research before selling (or buying) any sewing machine. For example, check eBay or craigslist to see how many identical machines are currently for sale. Use the "completed listings" feature on eBay to see the selling price, not the asking price. Make an honest assessment of your machine's condition compared to others like it. If yours is dirty or scratched or in need of repair then you can't expect to sell it for top dollar.

I know you were looking for a dollar amount, but it isn't possible to appraise a machine without seeing, touching, and testing it. We just don't have the manpower to provide specific appraisal services.
Thanks for visiting!
Barbara

Karla Mc

3/14/2015 12:56:42 am

I have the Centennial edition, just as you described it. It is still in the original cabinet, with matching stool. I also have the original instruction booklet, and have the green plastic case of attachments. It belonged to my Mother and I will never part with it!

3/15/2015 02:20:24 am

What a lovely treasure! Thanks for sharing,
Barbara

Virginia link

6/7/2016 02:45:48 pm

Somewhere I have a 15-91, which is the original Little Tailor, manufactured for cottage industry, i.e. piecework. This is the first home domestic made with the differential gear. If I cannot find my 15-91, I am buying another one, as I found it to be that good to sew with. Thank you for this article.

SHARON Ledbetter-Moulton

1/5/2017 09:59:21 pm

Virginia: Can you tell me the difference between a 301 and a 15-91. I just received a 301 and though it is the perfect machine for piecing. The stitch is fabulous.
Sharon

Max Johnsson

7/3/2016 11:15:51 am

Hi. I have a question about a Singer folding knife in brass commemorating the 100 year anniversery of the company. Any idea in what context this was given out? The initials J.B.S is written on the bottom of the blade. I can find nothing AT ALL, and I've really tried. Would greatly appreciate your help.

Scott Kennedy

1/2/2022 01:50:52 pm

I know this question was asked over 5 years ago, but BOY would I love to get my hands on that knife, lol!! It’s most certainly made with extraordinary precision.

Singer was world renowned for their reputation for requiring an extraordinary degree of precision and material quality regardless of how many machines were being produced or if it was a machine designed for industrial use or consumer/domestic use. If it was discovered in the production of a certain machine that there may be a slight flaw in the material quality in either the body or part(s) on a machine, that entire run using that batch of material was scrapped and the commissioned lot remade. Their quality standard was the benchmark for all other manufacturers to reach for as the high water mark of precision manufacturing. When you see the extraordinary precision of continuing operation of a well used but well cared for and lubricated/adjusted 85 year old sewing machine, for example a 201-2 made in 1938, it shows just exactly how high the bar was set for quality and precision manufacture and durability. Even the electronics used in these fully integrated designs, though developed in the infancy of household electronics, are still working perfectly safe these many decades later if, again, properly cared for. It’s simply amazing.

Singer was approached many times to manufacture different articles requiring precision operation. They didn’t accept many of these requests simply because it would require them to fully develop a facility dedicated to the perfection of that products manufacture. But, they did delve into a few different items that were relevant to the times as well as producing a number of their own promotional items with their name on it. If this is one of the promotional knives that Singer made, it’s most certainly a VERY collectable piece!!

The most extraordinary product Singer made outside of the core products of sewing machines was the Singer Model 1911A1 .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. They were a part of a collection of manufacturers that were to submit design examples of their capabilities of making that pistol for the US Military. They produced only a handful of these examples in relation to what was planned (500 units) as a test to see if they could produce 100 of them per day. But the Singer methodology of extraordinary precision would not allow for that number of units per day so Singer was put on to more critical components namely critical aircraft parts. Those pistols were quite literally the most perfectly created guns of that specific design ever produced. The perfect metal composition for each component, the most perfect operational action ever experienced from the design, and the most perfect and flawlessly crafted through the manufacturing process. Even though it was a military focused product to be subjected to intense conditions, Singer crafted the pistols to such perfection so that regardless of the abusive environment, they would still operate flawlessly. Those example Singer 1911A1 pistols are literally one of the most valued collector pieces for gun collectors today and in 2017, a brilliantly original example was sold for $414,000!!! Just 7 years prior, one sold for about $80,000 so you can get an idea of how much appreciation there has been for the extraordinary amount of effort Singer had directed toward perfect precision at all cost.

So yeah, lol, if you still have it and want to part with it, I’d love to chat!!

Adam D Sperling

7/9/2016 06:54:29 pm

I recently bought a singer treadle with the centennial badge on it but I can't match the serial number to any thing . Can someone please tell me what I bought JG346142 is the serial number and it has the centennial badge?

8/7/2016 10:07:09 am

Adam,
I've had a similar inquiry in the past and it turned out the serial number was "JC" instead of "JG." Take a closer look at yours to see if that's the case with yours. If it's JC then it was manufactured at St.Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada between 1948 and 1954. The blue-ringed Centennial badge indicates it was sold during 1951. Hope this helps. Barbara

8/16/2016 08:22:00 am

Thank you for the information. I bought a Singer M.R. with the blue-ringed Centennial badge and JC..... serial number. Thank you for all the information. I just tried to use it and it is not working right. I am not sure if I have everything set up right as this is the first time I am using a treadle machine. What I would really like to know is where I can get a copy of the original instruction booklet. I did phone Singer, with the number you listed in someone's reply, but they referred me to a repair person in a nearby town. They are on vacation and so I have left a message. Do you have anymore information? Thank you.

Stacey Clegg

10/15/2016 03:15:37 pm

I believe I have one of the blue centennial machines. I got it last week. I had a friend google the S/N and said it was produced in 1950. I totally love the machine as it sews like a demon still .... it might be priceless money wise... but to me its priceless little gem ... she is so pretty... I will look up the information to see if my gals the true thing or not... thanks for the info.

1/5/2017 10:03:33 pm

Today I received a 301 with a centennial badge. Serial # NA081750. Is it manufactured prior to 1951 or earlier? Thank you for the artical and feedback.

Reita Anderson

5/13/2017 05:03:39 am

My machine has a round silver disk with just a plain red "S" inside the disk and the same thing on the foot pedal just a silver disk with the plain red "S"it has the centennial badge but the serial # is AJ689547 which makes in made in 6/13/50 in N.J.is this considered a centennial?

Deborah

12/10/2017 02:56:13 am

Hi Barbara, I have a treadle Singer with the blue ringed centennial badge. The serial no. is MA897674 (not sure about the last number tho as it is faded). I was hoping you might be able to tell me its age, and if it was made after 1950, why were they still making treadle machines?

Donna

4/16/2018 07:59:36 pm

What about the bobbin?

Amanda

7/6/2018 10:05:00 am

I hace one with the centennial and the serial # is: E G 374952, I would love to know the year

Jason link

9/25/2018 05:49:06 pm

Check out the website posted here

Marsha Ellison

1/8/2019 07:11:31 pm

I have a Centennial 15-91. My serial number is JC843869 - which I think means it was made in St. Johns. How can I find out when if was commissioned or made? Do we assume it was between 948-1951? Thanks!

Rosanna Langley link

6/5/2021 05:10:35 pm

I just found a Singer Centennial Featherweight 221-1. The serial number is AJ895878. How can I find when it was actually made. The machine is marked as Elizabethport, NJ.

Rosie

8/28/2021 06:08:05 am

I just found a Singer 201 hand crank made in Dec 1950 serial no EG25xxxx with the blue ring centennial badge. However, the screw on left and right are not smooth gold color as shown in your picture. They are silver “security hexlobe” screw which found to other singer badge. I would like to know if this is a real centennial Singer. Also, would hand crank be more or less valuable than electric 201?
Many thanks!

kristian stensland link

12/24/2021 05:55:18 pm

This explains why some Singer sewing machines dating from 1947-1950 ended up having a Centennial Badge!

Singer's 100th Anniversary advertising campaign started in March 1951 at Singer Sewing Centers and in newspaper/magazine advertisements. This allowed the January-February allotted batches of Singer sewing machines manufactured in 1951 with Centennial Badges to be shipped to Singer Sewing Centers prior to the advertising campaign. Singer had no idea how customers would react to the 100th Anniversary and Centennial Badged sewing machines. This is understandable as prior "Special Badged" machines never made sales history.

In April, everything changed for Singer as the Centennial Badged machines were selling faster than anyone expected. On 26 April 1951 they allotted another batch of Singer series 15, 66, 128 and 201 sewing machines. The demand for these machines was great news for Singer but they had a major problem - Customers would not purchase any type of Singer sewing machine unless it had a Centennial Badge.

Singer had no choice but to change its original intent of the Centennial Badge into a marketing gimmick by installing the Centennial Badge on all old inventory of Singer model series 15, 66, 99, 128, 201, and 221 sewing machines dating from 1947-1950. Any old machine found at the factory now had a Centennial badge and was shipped to Singer Sewing Centers. All Singer Sewing Centers were instructed to install the Centennial Badge on any sewing machine with the standard Singer Gold Badge. In essence, Singer manipulated the sewing machines appearance by making a customer believe they were buying a new "Centennial" sewing machine made in 1951. What customers did not know was they were really buying an older sewing machine dating from 1947-1950.

Centennial or Not Centennial?

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Centennial or Not Centennial?

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