Saturday, March 14, 2015

Underwood Master or Champion?





The post card and the image above I think originate in the New York Public Library.  They are all over  on line so I do not know who to correctly recognize as the originating source.

Mine, missing some chrome.
Here's the link to the one that has plastic keys.  The keys even look like they may be dark green.

I thought I may be able to differentiate between Master and Champion by the pull tab on the type slug access door.  Then I found some sites with Underwood Master shown without the pull tab.  I'm sure there are variations between model years, and maybe even production runs.  I'm wondering whether mine is a Master, as I found M to designate that, or was the space bar changed some time in its life, or is that normal for the Master to have CHAMPION on the space bar. Remember in all the typing contests Underwood won. 

Monday, March 9, 2015

Another Typewriter Joins the Staff at Work

Thought is best to use some engineering paper since I was at work in the lab.
I was thinking of my SS when I typed SS.  I meant model S.

Under the sheet of styrofoam was a few sheets of high density foam and the entire machine was packed nicely with it too.  The basket was filled with balled plastic grocery bags and the entire machine stabilized in its foam encasement.  Excellent work.
The machine as it sits on the back section of my desk.  Also the H3k stored away in its house.
Dates to 1940

Wish mine had the fancy paper tray that Robert Messenger's has.  Mine needs some chrome too.
I really enjoy using my Underwoods.  They are the best, snappiest, fastest, easiest typewriters in my collection.

Our engineer intern now wants a typewriter.  I think I'll see what I can find on the to-be-repaired stack for him.  I know I have at least one repairable H3k.

I'll be sending this platen off to JJ Short when the other one comes back.  I could save a few dollars if I'd waited until I got this one.