I've been trying to make some space around here and am goin to be selling off some stuff I won't be using. The stuff is

1) Wood cook stove- Brand-Governor made by Kalamazoo Stove and Boiler works. Its in pretty fair shape, light rust on cook top, hot water Reservior, warming shelf, shaker grate, white enamel/porcelain and complete.

2) White "rotary" treadle sewing machine with electric motor and foot pedal. Wooden cabinet with 6 drawers, attachments. Cabinet is structurally sound but cosmetically restorable. The treadle seem to work smoothly and the machine appears to be complete.

Any ideas on what these things might be worth?

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), May 28, 2000

Answers

John, really hard to say. Treadle machines were really hot here a few years ago, they're still selling, but at much lower prices. If you aren't in a tearing rush to sell these things, I'd watch ebay auctions, check out antique stores and auctions in your area, and see if your local library can bring in some current price guides such as Kovels via interlibrary loan.

Since the sewing machine has been motorized, the value is going to be lower than it would otherwise be. Make sure you hang on to any accessories that may be with it. The wood stove might sell better in late summer/fall. People start thinking cozy then, and a wood cookstove is definetly cozy. I see them ocassionally in the antique stores (in great condition) for pretty high prices. I haven't been at an auction with treadle machines for a couple of years, as I recall they went for $45-$75. I'm not at all sure what current prices are, especially for a private sale. Wouldn't hurt to check out Lehman's and Cumberland for an idea of what new prices are. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), May 28, 2000.

I think the value is in the eye of the beholder and I would sure love to EYE that wood cookstove ! Is there any chance you could send me photos or scan some and put them on the net ? I will say that a brand of cookstove called--Warm Morning--sold at a recent auction I attended for $1115.00. I withdrew at 750.00 I would have loved to have it for a birthday present for my wife but it exceeded my financial limit. Where are you located ? I believe both items fall into the realm of "a sellers market" and you can pretty well just name a price an get it.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), May 28, 2000.

John, I bought a 1936 Kalamazoo "Puritan" wood cookstove (has reservoir,too) a couple of years ago. It's lovely...pale green and cream. I paid $350. It's solid, had a little rust on the cook surface (no problem), and I had a new firebox adapted, plus I had to find a second baking shelf. I bought it from a private party. However, in Skykomish, WA, there is a wonderful store that sells old, lovingly restored stoves, lamps, anything for off-grid living...most of it old. They might have some info re: prices. Seems to me that they make buying trips to New England! I can't recall what region of the country you are in. If you are interested, drop me email, and I will dig up the name of the company.

I also bought a White treadle machine maybe a couple of years ago, too. I had to buy a new bobbin mechanism, which set me back a mere $60! But I paid $35 for the machine. It has all the gingerbread on the cabinet but missing two drawers. I also had to buy and fit a new drive belt, buy needles. Expensive to me, but it works great!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), May 28, 2000.

John: Looked in the latest Kovel's Antique price guide that I had, which was for 1998, and the wood cook stoves ranged from 250 to 5500.00. Your brand wasn't mentioned, but I would definitely try to find out what the value was before you sell it. SURE wish I could afford it, and had room to put it! Good luck! Jan

-- Jan B (Janice12@aol.com), May 28, 2000.

My husband picked up our Home Comfort wood cookstove (1936, white enamel, water reservoir, warming ovens -- in excellent shape, and in use up to the day before the auction) for $200 at an estate auction here in NH about three years ago. An antique dealer at the auction told Greg the stove was in museum condition, and would go for probably $2,000 in Massachusetts, which is where the dealer was from. A neighbor of ours looked at it when we got it home, and offered five hundred for it; she sells them, and I suppose would have gotten a thousand or so for it. So I think it depends a lot on where you are. They are darned heavy and would be expensive to ship, so I would think you'd want to advertise it mostly in your area, though the other day I found a web site that sells used wood cookstoves! As for your treadle machine, mine was twenty dollars at a yard sale. It was in really good shape, with all it's attachments, and a date of 1909 -- a little too early, as the back-stitch had not yet been invented! So hubby found me an old electric head that will run off the treadle belt -- we haven't got it put together, yet, though. Hope this helps.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), May 29, 2000.

Hi--This is Sonda in Ks. I have been buying & selling wood burning stoves for more years, than I care to admit!!!! First, where the light rust is on the stove top--use cold, strong coffee on it! Keep doing it until the top looks good--then you can use greese to season the top before useing--or tell who ever you sell it to that is how to season it! I just sold a sellers brand/ white porcelain/ very little/ to no rust, to a friend for $650.00 which is what I had invested in it!( a real steal). If I had been priceing it to the outside market it would have started at 1,500.000!!!!! I would have to look at the stove inside & out to give you a price! It is also what it will bear in your area! Colored porcelain & with a warming oven in good condition--I can almost name my price for in this area!(It would start around $2,500.00) As for your priceing--ask a dealer in your area! I help people all the time--I'm known for being honest! I also sell on consignment for other people--I get a percentage for completeing the sale. Might want to do that with a dealer in your area also! I know the people who buy & are looking--& make a call to sell--most dealers can do the same thing & get the price for you! My hubby has always teased me about collecting woodburning cookstoves! He says, have you ever considered collecting postcards??? ha--which he knows I already collect, also! He has, had to move many hundred stoves for me! He is a good sport! The sewing machine was ruined as far as antique value when they made it electric! Ask a dealer in your area--because they may know someone who would want it for a show peace of furniture. I have, had antique stores for over 20 years & collected long before that! I have lists of buyers for my area--if ya find a good honest dealer in your area--they will be glad to help you with priceing & selling, both--I buy out households & have for many years--& help with estate sales! My hubby & I have an 11,000 sq. ft. warehouse where we sort & clean, & inventory everthing. Best wishes, Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), May 29, 2000.