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Home » National Portable » 5 » 1920 #18218
1920 National Portable 5 Serial # 18218 1920 National Portable 5 typewriter, Serial # 18218 Fumitaka Hayashi's 1920 National Portable 5 typewriter. 2026-10-14 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Fumitaka Hayashi: 1920 National Portable 5 Serial # 18218 A National Portable No.5.

A fine example of why you shouldn't be on Ebay too much.

It's an interesting typewriter, in pretty good shape. Compared to other contemporary portables, it doesn't seem particularly special. The case is very nice and very nicely preserved.

When I received it, it was missing the linkages for A and B. It was surprisingly easy to make functional replacement linkages with a bit of paper clip. I also had to bent the card holder to press harder against the paper - as it was, it was interfering with the ribbon vibrator.

The ribbon vibrator has a very simple adjustment to allow two-color ribbon. Unfortunately, it has become loose, so with use, it kind of slips to the stencil (no color) setting. Other than this annoying tendency, it's working fairly. The ribbon advance mechanism is similar to the Corona 3. Both ribbons mounts wind, you select the one you want to wind by tightening the nut, and loosening the one you want to pull ribbon from. It does use standard ribbon spools, which is a plus compared to something like a Corona 3.

The typewriter is affixed to the case bottom with springs, which I have not seen before.

The decals are in pretty good shape.

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An Ebay purchase - this was shipped out of Southborough, Massachusetts.

1920 National Portable 5 #18218

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Created: 10-14-2026 at 04:49PM
Last Edit: 10-14-2026 at 05:03PM

Description Hunter 12 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

A National Portable No.5.

A fine example of why you shouldn't be on Ebay too much.

It's an interesting typewriter, in pretty good shape. Compared to other contemporary portables, it doesn't seem particularly special. The case is very nice and very nicely preserved.

When I received it, it was missing the linkages for A and B. It was surprisingly easy to make functional replacement linkages with a bit of paper clip. I also had to bent the card holder to press harder against the paper - as it was, it was interfering with the ribbon vibrator.

The ribbon vibrator has a very simple adjustment to allow two-color ribbon. Unfortunately, it has become loose, so with use, it kind of slips to the stencil (no color) setting. Other than this annoying tendency, it's working fairly. The ribbon advance mechanism is similar to the Corona 3. Both ribbons mounts wind, you select the one you want to wind by tightening the nut, and loosening the one you want to pull ribbon from. It does use standard ribbon spools, which is a plus compared to something like a Corona 3.

The typewriter is affixed to the case bottom with springs, which I have not seen before.

The decals are in pretty good shape.

---
An Ebay purchase - this was shipped out of Southborough, Massachusetts.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Double shift slug, in Pica (10cpi)
Double shift slug, in Pica (10cpi)







Rather nice case, with plenty of latches.
Rather nice case, with plenty of latches.

Rather nice interior lining
Rather nice interior lining


Detail of the case attachment mechanism, which is a spring that is hooked onto the body of the typewriter.
Detail of the case attachment mechanism, which is a spring that is hooked onto the body of the typewriter.


Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)

Fumitaka Hayashi's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1540

Trying very hard to be more judicious in my acquisitions...

I like interesting typefaces. I like tinkering with my acquisitions to make them work.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the National Portable 5 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the National Portable Serial Number page and the National Portable 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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