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1919 Royal 5 Serial # 40 1881-5 1919 Royal 5 typewriter, Serial # 40 1881-5 Javier Vazquez del Olmo's 1919 Royal 5 typewriter. 2016-02-11 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Javier Vazquez del Olmo: 1919 Royal 5 Serial # 40 1881-5 A good reason to be happy, this Royal 5.

Much has been said about the "failure" of the Flatbed, but with a century on its shoulders it´s a great typewriter which deserves a lot of respect. I´m amazed by its quirky design, and how unreasonably durable it is.

This specimen is a great tribute to that sturdiness. I got it at a really low price because it´s been neglected for decades and that´s taken its toll: Missing left ribbon spool, lots of rust and a possible refurbishment. I suspect that because of the shoddypaintjob at the front and an issue with the serial numbers.

Serial... numbers? As in more than one? Yep, I´ve found two of them, or at least they look like it. And to make it even more obscure, they put the typewriter somewhere around 1919, which I think it´s pretty late for a Royal 5. One of the serials is on a little plate under the carriage, and I discovered the other one when I removed the left basket cover. I find it strange putting the serial under a piece that has to be unscrewed, but there it is, well hidden under a rock.

Fortunately, after a good cleaning and a new ribbon this tank is ready to type again. It´s soooo pleasant to use!

1919 Royal 5 #40 1881-5

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)
Created: 02-11-2016 at 12:13PM
Last Edit: 02-11-2016 at 12:16PM

Description Hunter 15 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

A good reason to be happy, this Royal 5.

Much has been said about the "failure" of the Flatbed, but with a century on its shoulders it´s a great typewriter which deserves a lot of respect. I´m amazed by its quirky design, and how unreasonably durable it is.

This specimen is a great tribute to that sturdiness. I got it at a really low price because it´s been neglected for decades and that´s taken its toll: Missing left ribbon spool, lots of rust and a possible refurbishment. I suspect that because of the shoddypaintjob at the front and an issue with the serial numbers.

Serial... numbers? As in more than one? Yep, I´ve found two of them, or at least they look like it. And to make it even more obscure, they put the typewriter somewhere around 1919, which I think it´s pretty late for a Royal 5. One of the serials is on a little plate under the carriage, and I discovered the other one when I removed the left basket cover. I find it strange putting the serial under a piece that has to be unscrewed, but there it is, well hidden under a rock.

Fortunately, after a good cleaning and a new ribbon this tank is ready to type again. It´s soooo pleasant to use!

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

The weird second serial: 401074. What secrets does it keep?
The weird second serial: 401074. What secrets does it keep?

Left type basket cover removed. Ongoing works at the basement.
Left type basket cover removed. Ongoing works at the basement.

Right rear cover removed, and there it is the "main" serial number: 40 1881-5
Right rear cover removed, and there it is the "main" serial number: 40 1881-5








Original ribbon spool. It would be great having both of them.
Original ribbon spool. It would be great having both of them.

Stairway to typewriter heaven!
Stairway to typewriter heaven!


No-nonsense tabulator system. Put a piece of iron there and off you go!
No-nonsense tabulator system. Put a piece of iron there and off you go!

The Rust Cathedral, and somehow it refuses to give up working.
The Rust Cathedral, and somehow it refuses to give up working.

Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)

Javier Vazquez del Olmo's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 6476

The first typewriter I saw was my grandpa´s Olivetti Linea 98 at the office. It was just a curio for me. Then I was given a Nakajima, which I didn´t use and my grandfather took it from me because it was easier to handle than the bulky Linea 98. Now I own that typewriter, and I started a little collection in Valladolid, Spain. The Nakajima, which is "my" typewriter only returned home in 2017, almost 20 years later, when he wanted a better typewriter.

A collection that started small grew into something bigger, a nuisace for my family and a great source of satisfaction for me.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Royal 5 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Royal Serial Number page and the Royal 5 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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