Hi Jeanne,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Singer began making sewing machines in 1850, with just 100 made that first year, by makers all around the world. By 1900, nearly 17 million machines had been made and the firm started to use two alphabet letters in their serial numbers, which also helped denote where the machines were made (NYC and Elizabeth, NJ, and Glasgow, Scotland, primarily).

According to your serial number, this was probably made between 1872 and 1873.

So few people use sewing machines these days that the market is somewhat flooded by them, though there are fewer surviving early models such as yours. With considerably less demand than supply, prices remain modest with most models by Singer - the gold-standard in sewing machines - bringing less than $200 if they are fitted into a table as yours is (ones that are not built into tables and retain their original domed cases are worth a little more, mostly because the table-mounted ones take up a lot of space).
Because yours is as old as it is, and despite it not being in working condition, it is worth $200-300 because you still have all the original ephemera (pamphlets, etc) that came with it.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Singer gilt stenciled sewing machine and cabinet
made in New York City, 1872-1873, serial number 826988.
With stenciled floral decoration, hand wheel and table fitted with hinged foldover sewing surface over a drop-down cabinet.
Overall height: 31 inches; greatest width: 49-1/4 inches; depth: 17-1/2 inches
CONDITION: This machine appears to be in relatively good cosmetic condition but is not working.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 200-300*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia