1913 Underwood Western Union Special #WU12628
Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 01-16-2026 at 02:30PM
Last Edit: 01-16-2026 at 05:08PM
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Description:
The earliest press report states the machines went into service in Feb 1912 with a total of 10,000 units. Some of this is press, and some is actual Underwood ads running into 1913. One example states 10k and 1k per month for delivery. The Feb 1912 mentions field testing of Underwoods and others prior to this for 8 months. So there were machines out in 1911. Were they part of the WU SN sequence?
There are several machines here on the DB within the first 10k SN sequence that have the shift lock change made in Feb 1915. Maybe during service, these were retrofitted? I'd go with that. Western Union had a lot of need, and 10k machines would be distributed quickly.
If all that speculation holds, this machine is Jan 1913.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
James Grooms's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 19545
Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose. My goal is type tested machines. My interests are not isolated to anyone area. For example, I am a big fan of Smith Corona electrics, mid century electrics and all things Royal.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Underwood Western Union Special on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Underwood Serial Number page and the Underwood Western Union Special By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
