 |
| Some clean and lovely keys. |
 |
| Decal on the back. |
 |
| In its native environment. |
|
Well, a bit of google image searching and some more time in the serial number database leads me to believe this is an Underwood Ace from 1938 or 39. Funny, it struck me as being a bit newer than that. It's also funny that the last five or six typewriters I've taken home have been from this era.
If I wasn't done with collecting the things (I am, really...) I'd say it was time to skew the acquisitions a bit more to the 1960s era. Get a bit more color up in here. Not that I have any more room. Good thing I'm all done, then.
Ah, but with the pipes... that machine fits right in.
ReplyDeleteMy two indulgences do tend to go well together, don't they?
DeleteA very nice Underwood portable! However, I would lay money down on a bet that this isn't your last typewriter acquisition. There are too many tempting specimens out there in the world, and what's more - once you obtain more than maybe 5, people come out of the woodwork to offer you free adoptions or gifts of old machines. Who ever says "no" to that?
ReplyDeleteThere is a certain "snowball" effect I've been noticing of late. Heck, I was going to stick with portables but now I'm in love with the action of my Royal KHM and I'm starting to reconsider a massive Smith Corona desktop model down at the antiques barn...
DeleteAnd you're right, people just feel good about giving their old machines a new home, and we're always happy to oblige, aren't we?
Just looking at the pictures, I would have to guess that this is an Underwood Leader. It was the lowest in their line of portables at the time. Then the Universal, and then the Champion. Notice that it does not have margin release, tab, or even a ribbon selector? I have a Leader as well, and this fits the bill. They are amazing typewriters and, except for the missing features, type just as nicely as the Champion. I have the same problem you have mentioned with getting the proper inking from my Leader...
ReplyDeleteAll in all, that was a fantastic find on your part. Underwood portables of this era are great machines. Nice and snappy, with a lighter touch than expected. Even without touch control (something reserved for the higher class machines), it is just right. Congrats!
It's definitely a low end model, just like the Remington which came from the same place. Still I'm quite happy about it. They're more than capable of writing letters, rough drafting, and brainstorming. The only thing I honestly miss on these two is a bell.
DeleteNice adventure, but even nicer typewriter! I've seen this model on other blogs too and I agree it looks much younger. My guess is that those curves are responsible for it.
ReplyDelete