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

33 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.

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.

Centennial or Not Centennial?

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