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195x Western Stamping Co Tom Thumb Serial # none 195x Western Stamping Co Tom Thumb typewriter, Serial # none Michael Hoehne's 195x Western Stamping Co Tom Thumb typewriter. 2019-11-24 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Michael Hoehne: 195x Western Stamping Co Tom Thumb Serial # none There seem to be several different versions of Tom Thumbs.

These are usually in bad condition when found. They were, after all, kids’ toys and most took quite a beating. How the makers imagined that their cheap construction out of lightweight materials could have withstood kids, I can’t figure.

3-bank typewriter. No tabs. No margin setting on either side. No line space/carriage return lever. No ribbon color accommodation.

The type sample is with a new, fresh ribbon. This machine holds 6 feet of ribbon on its 1-1/2 inch spools, same as many calculators and the ribbon reverse is manual.

195x Western Stamping Co Tom Thumb #none

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Michael Hoehne (mhoehne)
Created: 07-21-2017 at 06:12PM
Last Edit: 11-24-2019 at 03:27PM


Description:

There seem to be several different versions of Tom Thumbs.

These are usually in bad condition when found. They were, after all, kids’ toys and most took quite a beating. How the makers imagined that their cheap construction out of lightweight materials could have withstood kids, I can’t figure.

3-bank typewriter. No tabs. No margin setting on either side. No line space/carriage return lever. No ribbon color accommodation.

The type sample is with a new, fresh ribbon. This machine holds 6 feet of ribbon on its 1-1/2 inch spools, same as many calculators and the ribbon reverse is manual.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

the Tom Thumb keyboard, three-bank and double shift --- precursor to our smart phones on which we have to type with our thumbs?
the Tom Thumb keyboard, three-bank and double shift --- precursor to our smart phones on which we have to type with our thumbs?



uncluttered by controls
uncluttered by controls



This is what hammertone paint looks like when it runs. This is the inside of the case.
This is what hammertone paint looks like when it runs. This is the inside of the case.

a steel case
a steel case

when you have to find the carriage release in a big hurry...
when you have to find the carriage release in a big hurry...

This is clearer than most typewriters.
This is clearer than most typewriters.

... orderly ...
... orderly ...

simple and effective ribbon path---clever
simple and effective ribbon path---clever

This is how the slugs are affixed to the typebars. Simple, quick, cheap. Especially cheap. Durable---not so much.
This is how the slugs are affixed to the typebars. Simple, quick, cheap. Especially cheap. Durable---not so much.

Hunter: Michael Hoehne (mhoehne)

Michael Hoehne's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 5631

While I find all of mankind's inventions interesting, I am most enchanted by the human-scale arts and devices, the ones that can be created (and repaired) in a home workshop or studio; the ones that can be understood by looking at them; the ones that do something useful or stir admiration. Typewriters work for me.



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