Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine Auction

I don't know about the rest of you, but as I sit here in the dry, beautiful prairie of central Illinois with no catastrophe upon me from hurricanes, rain, flooding, trains colliding, or serious, pressing health issue for those I love, I'm feeling just very lucky and much blessed! My heart goes out to any of you affected by Ike and all the bad weather. To raise funds to donate to the American Red Cross for disaster relief, I've decided to let go of this wonderful little Singer Featherweight Machine that I found at an auction this summer. Though I've always wanted one - my soul knows I really don't NEED it, and that I should use it to the benefit of others.
Sew... Here's the deal: I will sell this machine to the highest bidder - with careful shipping arranged between us and at the expense of the bidder. The Auction will END at 10 pm Central Standard Time - Monday, September 22, 2008. I will send a check to the American Red Cross for all funds raised over $350. A machine like this sold for $625. See Below.
You place your bid this way:
1. Go to this link: http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Store_id=398&page_id=23&Item_ID=6315
2. To 'Bid' - just put your bid in whole dollars (starting bid is $325) in the QUANTITY BOX
3. Check out - selecting 'FAX ORDER IN' for your payment method and submit your order
4. As 'bids' come in, I will update the current bid in the Description box.
5. If you have ANY questions, about the process, or the machine - just email or call me. Remember, the auction ends at 10 PM, Monday,September 22, 2008. I will be 'out' at a dental appointment most of Monday afternoon, so just know updates cannot be made from about 1 - 4 CST.
6. Please do not bid unless you intend to follow through with payment, which can be MC, Visa, Discover,or Pay Pal. Winner and I will determine safe shipping method, and shipping expense will be added to the winning bid.
I need to get this shipped out asap after the auction ends, as I leave for the Novi Show on Wednesday morning. If details can't be worked out before I leave, I will ship it after my return Sept. 30.

Super Condition 1951 Centennial Model Singer Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine Serial number: AK090870 which, when I looked up this serial number online, is given the January 29, 1951 manufacture date. It is in a condition that I read about at this link: http://www.patented-antiques.com/Backpages/All_Archives/SEW_ARCHIVE/fw_SM.htm
As the expert at this site says: "it is in a condition that is 'sought after but rarely found." The one I'm comparing it to sold for $625.00... it is the Centennial Model Featherweight, commemorating Singer's "Century of Sewing Service" and it is marked with Singer's oval-shaped gold with blue outline commemorative plaque bearing the dates 1851-1951. This machine has been well taken care of. The black paint is pretty shiny, the gold decals are bright, and there is no evidence of the "fabric wear path" on the bed that so many of the Featherweights exhibit. There are some minor surface "pin marks" in the clear coat finish that you see when it is held up to the light. The machine has been oiled and lubricated in the appropriate places and is ready to display or to sew with. It came with a repair tag attached to the case. I tested it out - and it stitches a beautiful stitch and the motor runs strong and quiet. The case for this Featherweight is in excellent condition both inside and out and it is evident it was stored in a nice dry environment, but I also have to say that it 'smells like I remember my Grandma's house smelling'. This machine comes with the original instruction booklet which seems to me to be in perfect condition. The little Singer oil tube is included as well as the following attachments (which I had fun identifying from the instruction booklet!): Foot hemmer, Adjustable Hemmer, Multiple Slotted Binder, Edge-Stitcher, Gatherer Foot, Ruffler, Seam Gauge that screws in, 2 screw dr ivers, and 2 keys to the case. - this is ALL of the that are mentioned in the book!

This machine is a beauty---one of those that just does not come along very often.