1911 Smith Premier 10 #84746

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Carl H (Olivetti48)
Created: 08-02-2017 at 11:45AM
Last Edit: 12-29-2017 at 05:46AM

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Description:

Now I understand why this was Smith Premier's last typewriter. For the year of manufacture (about 1910?) it is a very simple machine. The keyboard is not practical and there is nothing that the machine makes better than "normal" typewriters of these days. (Probably the price? I don't know)

Today this is something special because of its keyboard and because of the simple design is easy to repair. This was probably also a reason for this machine back in ca. 1910. It is very easy to repair. For example, the machine has no drawstring. The carriage moves over a cogwheel. The spring inside the cogwheel can be tighten with a special tool (that I don't have), but you can do it with your hands or with pliers. Another practical thing is that you can put the carriage in 2 seconds out.

The carriage was frozen, margin release was not working, space bar and back space where not working. As you can see on key is "down". But there is no type bar for this. One ribbon ribbon spool is missing.

Now the carriage moves, margin release, space bar and back space are working. I still don't have a ribbon spool that is fitting. The little rolls that roll with the platen are crumbled. I will try to form new ones out of silicone or using shrink tube.

I think in the US these machines are very common. In Germany you see them few. So it is a little plus that is has a German keyboard. The minus is that I paid 65€ what was probably to much for a machine in this condition. But the restoration (not optical, only technical) is (not finished by now) very informative.

I think I would have hate this machine in 1910 but I like it in 2017.

10 A

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Hunter: Carl H (Olivetti48)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2690

Typewriter collector from Germany. I collect all brands, but like Olivetti the most. I'm not that type of collector that buys the most expensive, old or rare pieces. I love and collect typewriters because it was an everyday product millions of people used. Much of them are well-made and were so expensive for there pre-owner – now, people want not to throw them away, but they don't want them anymore – and so, there are ridiculous cheap. When I see a typewriter, standing around and being so cheap, I cannot abandon it. (I hope my english is at least understandable, feel free to correct me).