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Home » Corona » 3 » 1920 #341679
1920 Corona 3 Serial # 341679 1920 Corona 3 typewriter, Serial # 341679 Wayne Bouchard's 1920 Corona 3 typewriter. 2025-08-19 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Wayne Bouchard: 1920 Corona 3 Serial # 341679 Here we have a Corona Portable 3 typewriter, aka a Corona 3 Bank. This is an attempt at a lightweight, portable typewriter for traveling and home use. This typewriter went through a few revisions through its production. Here, we have the second major revision. That is, a solid segment but still maintaining the shift keys only on the left side. A later revision would provide keys on both sides of the keyboard at the expense of having the typewriter slightly wider to accommodate them.

This typewriter is equipped with a generic Pica style type (10 pitch, 6 LPI). I would not say it is particularly attractive, but it is quite functional and readable. My typewriter comes complete with the original case, along with the cleaning brush and oiler. Note that the way the case is designed, the front flap is hinged on cloth, meaning that it is not at all necessary to remove the typewriter from the case in order to use it. That makes it very quick to deploy and equally quick to store.

My criticisms of this typewriter are really just two items. First, the location of the backspace key makes it difficult to use when you're trying to do quick work, however this typewriter was also not meant for fast typing, and that is my second criticism. The type bars return somewhat slowly, largely by gravity, not by spring power. Thus, there is a maximum speed that this typewriter can be used at before problems start to arise. So if you're a "two fingered" typist, you're fine. If you type at secretarial speeds, you're not going to be able to use this typewriter without some frustrating adaptation.

1920 Corona 3 #341679

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)
Created: 08-19-2025 at 12:10AM
Last Edit: 08-19-2025 at 12:22AM

Description Hunter 19 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Here we have a Corona Portable 3 typewriter, aka a Corona 3 Bank. This is an attempt at a lightweight, portable typewriter for traveling and home use. This typewriter went through a few revisions through its production. Here, we have the second major revision. That is, a solid segment but still maintaining the shift keys only on the left side. A later revision would provide keys on both sides of the keyboard at the expense of having the typewriter slightly wider to accommodate them.

This typewriter is equipped with a generic Pica style type (10 pitch, 6 LPI). I would not say it is particularly attractive, but it is quite functional and readable. My typewriter comes complete with the original case, along with the cleaning brush and oiler. Note that the way the case is designed, the front flap is hinged on cloth, meaning that it is not at all necessary to remove the typewriter from the case in order to use it. That makes it very quick to deploy and equally quick to store.

My criticisms of this typewriter are really just two items. First, the location of the backspace key makes it difficult to use when you're trying to do quick work, however this typewriter was also not meant for fast typing, and that is my second criticism. The type bars return somewhat slowly, largely by gravity, not by spring power. Thus, there is a maximum speed that this typewriter can be used at before problems start to arise. So if you're a "two fingered" typist, you're fine. If you type at secretarial speeds, you're not going to be able to use this typewriter without some frustrating adaptation.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:



I particularly like the Corona typewriter logo on the paper tray. These are often not well preserved, so I am happy to find this one basically intact.
I particularly like the Corona typewriter logo on the paper tray. These are often not well preserved, so I am happy to find this one basically intact.






Here you can see the very simple mechanism used for this typewriter. It's really quite an elegantly simple design, though it comes with some mechanical limitations.
Here you can see the very simple mechanism used for this typewriter. It's really quite an elegantly simple design, though it comes with some mechanical limitations.

Serial number 34169, located on the bottom rear of the frame, on the inside. Note that the carriage has its own serial number and has often been exchanged, so they may not match. Mine has the same number scratched in it and no other visible, so seems to be original to the unit.
Serial number 34169, located on the bottom rear of the frame, on the inside. Note that the carriage has its own serial number and has often been exchanged, so they may not match. Mine has the same number scratched in it and no other visible, so seems to be original to the unit.


A generic Pica typeface (10 pitch, 6 LPI). Note the foundry mark of "(HK)"
A generic Pica typeface (10 pitch, 6 LPI). Note the foundry mark of "(HK)"




There is absolutely no need to remove the typewriter from its case in order to use it, though removal is as simple as lifting it out. That makes it all the more usable as a unit for quick work.
There is absolutely no need to remove the typewriter from its case in order to use it, though removal is as simple as lifting it out. That makes it all the more usable as a unit for quick work.



This is what's called an "oiler". It is a bottle filled with oil and a cap that contains a tool to apply it. In this case, the flat surface (resembling a screw driver) will retain a sizeable drop of oil, while the narrow step and knurled cap allow for precise application. These pieces are often lost, so it is a nice bonus to have this!
This is what's called an "oiler". It is a bottle filled with oil and a cap that contains a tool to apply it. In this case, the flat surface (resembling a screw driver) will retain a sizeable drop of oil, while the narrow step and knurled cap allow for precise application. These pieces are often lost, so it is a nice bonus to have this!

Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1660

Collector of several things, including typewriters, slide rules, and mechanical calculators.
Started collecting typewriters in 2023 with a Royal HHE like the one I did my first book report on when I was in school and using my dad's old typewriter.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Corona 3 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Corona Serial Number page and the Corona 3 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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