1902 Ideal A2 #2199
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Paolo Dal Chiele (pdcox)
Created: 10-02-2019 at 08:07AM
Last Edit: 10-02-2019 at 08:58AM
Description:
The typewriter as I found.
It is complete and working, but few segments are deformed and out of alignment.
What is interesting in this particular machine is that it looks at the first sight as an A2 and the serial number is matching with the typewriter database for this model, but something is missing.
We know Seidel & Naumann first introduced the back-space key with the Ideal Model A, but looking at the few pictures I found on the net I realised that this happened starting with the A2 model, and that this was probably the characteristic that led to the transition from one model to the next.
Well, as it can be seen looking at the keyboard pictures, my typewriter has not the back-space key, that should have been in the second row from the bottom, beside the letter A.
The only explanation I have is that the Model A2 has not replaced the Model A1, but both have been produced for a certain period of time, and the main difference between the two was not aesthetics (the decals) but mechanical , which sounds more logic.
The Ideal Model A is a fascinating machine, very particular from a technical point of view, with the specific return lever mechanism and both carriage and segment shifting,. What in my opinion is interesting is how this specific mechanic made it possible to create a machine like the Ideal Polyglott, which could write using two different alphabets.
The period that preceded the First World War was characterised by a generalised and naive belief that by promoting communication between men, breaking down borders and entrusting their future to technological progress, humanity would have been inexorably destined to proceed towards a future of prosperity and peace.
The Ideal Polyglott, as well as Esperanto, are two examples of the enthusiasm and genius that animated those years, and that soon would unfortunately vanish, overwhelmed by history ...
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Paolo Dal Chiele (pdcox)
Paolo Dal Chiele's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2417
Interested in historic motoring and vintage cars, I received a typewriter as a bonus when I bought and old off-road car. The previous owner had found somewhere a typewriter produced for the German army and when he sold me the car he gave me the typewriter too. As I learned later, it was a1961 Olympia SM7 Robust..
Of the typewriters I value more character than perfection, the signs that time has left and the stories - or fragments of stories - of those who used them ...
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Ideal A2 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Ideal Serial Number page and the Ideal A2 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.