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Antique typewriter from the 30s

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gtabasso

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Since I work in my "big girl day job" as a writer, this is one of the tools of my trade. A friend gave this to me last year. This Underwood is a beauty.
 

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bonneyman

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It sure is!

Where do you take it for maintenance/repair - or do you do that yourself? Can't imagine there's that many places who can properly work on that gem.
 
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lilredex

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Used to play on one of those Underwoods just like that one, as a kid. When my mother died (1984) and we cleaned out the house, nobody wanted it or any of the furniture they had accumulated since the thirties. Everything ended up going to a local museum.

I tossed out my IBM Selectric about twenty years ago, along with all the balls. Nobody wanted it either. Ten years earlier, people would have killed to get their hands on one of those.
 
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Roberts210

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That's a nice Underwood.

I just bought a correcting Selectric II last week. Paid $35 for it. It's a great typewriter and I love it.

There aren't very many typewriter repairmen around anymore, but they DO exist. You have to look for them.
 
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Larryjones

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I like them old ones. Now, do this to it to really make them notice it.
http://www.usbtypewriter.com/collections/kits#gs.SFW8=uM
easy-kit-5_grande.jpg
 
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Marcm157

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My Dad was a "Collector" translated that means almost a hoarder and when he passed away 2 years ago I was tasked with clearing out his house. Part of his collection included 16 antique typewriters most dating back to the early 30's - Couldn't really find a market for them so they went to an auction in NYC. Ended up with $400 for the lot. Not sure if I did OK or not but I just needed to move them in a hurry...
 
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tym

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Beautiful typewriter!

Speaking of IBM, I just acquired and cleaned up a Model M keyboard...I don't think I can ever use a membrane keypad again... ;)
 
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TK-421

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tym said:
Beautiful typewriter!

Speaking of IBM, I just acquired and cleaned up a Model M keyboard...I don't think I can ever use a membrane keypad again... ;)
Click to expand...

Check out mechanical keyboards, they're far superior to your typical membrane keyboard. Once you go to mechanical, you'll despise when you have to use a membrane keyboard.
 
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tym

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Yep...the tactile feedback from a buckling spring is way better than the mushy keyboards of today. Same thing goes for the feel of those old typewriters.
 
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gtabasso

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bonneyman said:
It sure is!

Where do you take it for maintenance/repair - or do you do that yourself? Can't imagine there's that many places who can properly work on that gem.
Click to expand...

The friend who gave it to me worked on it and fixed it up. I bought a new ribbon on ebay. Works like a gem though you have to PUNCH those keys.
 
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gtabasso

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lilredex said:
Used to play on one of those Underwoods just like that one, as a kid. When my mother died (1984) and we cleaned out the house, nobody wanted it or any of the furniture they had accumulated since the thirties. Everything ended up going to a local museum.

I tossed out my IBM Selectric about twenty years ago, along with all the balls. Nobody wanted it either. Ten years earlier, people would have killed to get their hands on one of those.
Click to expand...

I learned on a Selectric.
 
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gtabasso

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Marcm157 said:
My Dad was a "Collector" translated that means almost a hoarder and when he passed away 2 years ago I was tasked with clearing out his house. Part of his collection included 16 antique typewriters most dating back to the early 30's - Couldn't really find a market for them so they went to an auction in NYC. Ended up with $400 for the lot. Not sure if I did OK or not but I just needed to move them in a hurry...
Click to expand...

I was supposed to get a Royal but that ones needs work.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
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SE MI
My daughter-in-law collects antique typewriters. That might be a bit "new" for her collection.
 
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Two Sheds

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Jan 16, 2014
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I have an Underwood just like the one that started this thread, which I got from my Grandfather long ago. It's an iconic model, but they were so popular in the early 20th century that they aren't at all rare today, and aren't particularly valuable, though prices have been creeping up in recent years. But I love the looks of it, and would never get rid of it.
 
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tool_scrounge

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I always liked Oliver typewriters. They are very different mechanically compared to most typewriters made. The Number 9 shown in the photo was made around 1915-1922. It still works fine.
 

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