$92 Buttonhole Attachment & the Senator's Mom
A while back, I picked up a Singer 500 (that coveted "rocketeer styling!) that belonged to US Senator (and former Ohio Governor) George Voinovich's mother. I bought it from George Voinovich's sister who made a point to tell me the family story and relationships in the machine's history. I'm positive that this provenance is nothing more than a fun tidbit, and doesn't make the machine more valuable in any way, but I get a kick out of it. The 1970 receipt for the buttonhole attachment is made out to "Mrs. Voinovich". I found it tucked in with the extras that came with the machine.
I ran across this forgotten receipt while I was going through my stash of slant accessories, putting together a nice package with another Rocketeer styled machine (503) to list on eBay. The total for the buttonhole attachment, including tax, was $16.67. That sounds reasonable. However, I was curious how much money would that be in 2009 dollars, after adjusting it for inflation. So, I plugged the numbers into the Consumer Price Index Calculator, and it came out to be $92.94 in 2009!!
Here is a scan of the receipt and a sneak peak at the fabulous, loaded, Singer 503 package that I've been getting ready to list:
j
I ran across this forgotten receipt while I was going through my stash of slant accessories, putting together a nice package with another Rocketeer styled machine (503) to list on eBay. The total for the buttonhole attachment, including tax, was $16.67. That sounds reasonable. However, I was curious how much money would that be in 2009 dollars, after adjusting it for inflation. So, I plugged the numbers into the Consumer Price Index Calculator, and it came out to be $92.94 in 2009!!
Here is a scan of the receipt and a sneak peak at the fabulous, loaded, Singer 503 package that I've been getting ready to list:
j 
Sweet! It looks like it may have been a Valentine's gift, huh?
I love stuff like that. I got a radio with "To Mom and Dad--Merry Christmas, Henry, Walter, Betty, and Jean 1946"
It's such a great thought that someone was THRILLED to have something you are in your hand.
Reply to this
What a beauty!
Does it sew as slickly as it looks it would?
And that $16 in 1970, is comparable to today's ~$93 is stunning! I remember 1970, and I knew that $16 felt like a good-ish amount, but $93!!!
Reply to this
Yes, it sews beautifully- see the stitch sample in the background of the last photo? Besides, I fully guarantee my machines, so I have to make sure that everything is 100% up to par.
Reply to this
I have a slant-o-matic and it positively purrs. My partner's mother picked it up second hand for a steal and gave it to me for Christmas when I was getting into quilting and needed my own machine. It really is a dress-making, and home decor machine, but it's the only machine I've ever truly enjoyed sewing on.
Just don't accidently leave it in reverse. : )
Reply to this
What a beautiful machine. I have three, one of which was my great-aunt's. You will love, love, love sewing with it. Have a great new year of sewing!
Reply to this
What most Americans don't realize, is that the only reason sewing machines & their accessories are selling so cheaply today, is because already made clothing is so cheap, due to the economic suicide committed by our former politicians, beginning with Jimmy Carter. Foolishly, these leaders assumed that "free trade" throughout the world, would make life better for everyone, because many of their financial supporters claimed it would make life better for everyone. It took a few decades to accomplish, but once they managed to vote all of the NAFTA, CAFTA & other free trade agreements in, it destroyed all of the laws that protected the U.S. economy & the manufacturing companies in the United States, that paid a good living wage, even to people who dropped out of high school. It made it possible for the wealthy of the entire world, to move all of these companies to countries where workers are paid pennies a day, compared to the U.S. labor union protected wages of $10 to $30 an hour, with insurance, retirement, etc... For the last 15 years or so, we have been able to buy goods at the $1 store, & gorge ourselves on more shoes & clothing than any sane person would wear in a lifetime, sending all of our hard earned cash into the hands of these wealthy manufacturing owners, and the hands of other countries, never to be returned to the U.S.A.. I can't claim to be innocent of taking advantage of the great prices on fabric, & other goods during this time, I have tried to make "wise" choices for my family budget, not realizing for a long time, what my choices were doing to our country's economy.
The main reason I am blessed to have 12+ sewing machines & 3 sergers is partly due to these factors, but also partly due to the fact that my hubby and I "rescue" sewing machines from the trash on a regular basis, clean & repair them, then find new homes for them. Once there isn't enough cash left in the U.S. economy to fill the pockets of those overseas manufacturers, there will be a very painful economic situation for America, where items will be worth repairing again, because no one will be able to afford to buy a new one. Until that time, Americans will continue to buy cheaply made goods, and throw them away when they have one part break down. While I love being able to try all of these different sewing machines, I would far rather that the U.S.A. had a healthy economy, and living wage jobs available to all. In the meantime, I have a huge fabric,& notion "stash", because I saw this coming. My mom wondered why I bought so much fabric & sewing stuff, and I explained to her that it was because there is going to come a time soon, when no one will be able to afford to buy fabric anymore, because it won't be available this cheap ever again. Just this month, mom told me she was so grateful that I had my stash, because she makes ALL of her own clothing,and she can't afford anything except "shopping my stash".
Becky in NC
Reply to this