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The term "thereabouts" in the above text doesn't make sense, on second read. But I guess you know what I meant?
Where are my manners, please see links to Olivander (Collapsing World), A Treatise on Pedestrianism, and Manual Entry under "The Typosphere" at left.
And hey, that's my dad. He's a swell guy.
The Great Petaluma Haul
I feel compelled to update this post with information from one Olivander, ubercollector, who has set me straight on what the heck this machine actually is. In his words:
The "11" indicates platen length, not the model #. The base unit is that of a No.6 (you can tell by the ribbon selector switch being set up on top of the front plate instead of facing out). Think of how Olivetti turned the Lettera 32 base machine into many, many different models.
The name on the space bar positively identifies the model name as Champion. I don't what was different about the Champion to separate it from the regular No.6. Maybe it was only marketing. I've seen them called Master, too, and they look the same to me.
So what you have is a Champion built around a No.6 chassis.
Thank you Olivander!
A Little Art Never Hurt Anyone
38 minutes ago
13 comments:
It's an incredible-looking machine. Great that it still works so well, just a little helping hand, and will continue to work for another hundred years.
It just looks intense, solid and heavy. Like it sucks up attention. I'd almost expect it to hum quietly!
That's definitely the Packard of the group! Beautiful machine. I suppose it was called the Champion because their competitive typing team used it?
That's so cool they used to compete, though I guess we do have texting contests nowadays.
Hmm. I probably would have told you that that is a No.6. Though it *is* possible that is is labeled Champion on the spacebar's inner bevel. This is from just at the start of the era where Underwood model IDs begin to get a little mushy.
Whatever it calls itself, it's a rockin' machine.
A beautiful, beautiful machine. Given ordinary care, Underwoods are about nearly indestructible, too.
(Aren't those the margin controls on the upper front? I used a kin to this in Jr. High -- it was our "typesetting machine" back in those dim, dark days of Artype headlines and wax-stuck pasteups -- but that was, um, mumblety-some dec- er, years ago).
That thing is pretty fantastic. It looks similar to Underwood that was donated at the type-in.
I went to Uppercase last week to pick up my portables and they have the Royal you brought on a shelf near the counter. It looks rad.
Truly a classic among the classics! The Underwood Champion is a portable machine from the same era.
Ever notice how some people just look like they'd be good at fixing things? Is it something in the hands, or in the face? Or is it merely a casual comfortableness when in the presence of anything more complicated than a pocket calculator?
I know not, but your dad, Strikethru, just looks like he is good at fixing things.
Otherwise, the Underwood is a thing of beauty. Utilitarian yet aesthetically pleasing; it's hard to imagine the modern-day equivalent.
P.S. Kudos on keeping the husband in the loop. Happy spouse=gratis for impulse writing machine purchases, I say.
Word verif: "thexi" - The 11! How apropos.
You write beautifully about this machine, especially when you compare it to a pipe organ (I hear a Bach fugue!). It is sad to think that such solidity and meticulous craft---such integrity-- are things of the past. We live in the late capitalist world of planned obsolescence, constantly having to dispose of and replace our tools. It is a new kind of alienation.
Olivander & Martin - so, the machine says "11" on either side of the Underwood logo...? Also the space bar says "Champion." My husband theorizes that it's a replacement space bar. Possible?
Am I the only one sort of stunned that all this time I thought it was just *me* that emailed olivander with emergency typewriter data requests, and now I find out he's doing this for pretty much everyone is doing the same thing?!
I don't think he even has a job; who could work with all of us bugging him with our on-call after-hours typewriter emergencies day and night?
Glad the Royal is on display at Upper case!
Thanks Adair, and Speegle, my dad does know his way around typewriters and such, a swell guy, the dad.
Poor Olivander. He's like the smart kid in class and we are all dopes trying to look at his notes for the test. ;-)
Beautiful machine! Great pic of dad. <3
whatever that is called, all i can i say is that that is one magnificent example of freakin' nice machine! i'm envious! such nice condition! ..and your dad does looks like a swell guy, too :-D
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