1931 Orga Privat 5 #149251
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Chris Aldrich (chrisaldrich)
Created: 08-16-2024 at 09:40AM
Last Edit: 08-16-2024 at 10:59PM
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Description:
A British distributed Orga Privat 5 branded as "New Orga". I found this on offer in Orange County, CA for a relatively modest price which I couldn't pass up on, particularly because I've always wanted a machine similar to the one in Willy Wonka's office created in the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This may be the first machine I've purchased primarily because of it's looks taking precedence over it's function. This appears to be in solid enough shape that I'm reasonably certain I can get it working again.
I spent some time in a very manual process to create a temporary type sample.
Using a very basic linear equation based on the serial numbers in the typewriter database and the serial number of this machine, I've put a manufacture date of approximately February 1931 on my machine.
Be sure to check the links section here where I'll add more photos and details as I clean this up.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
- Acquisition: 1928-1933 New Orga Typewriter (Orga Privat 5)
- A Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Orga Typewriter in my backyard
Photos:
Hunter: Chris Aldrich (chrisaldrich)
Chris Aldrich's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 866
Hello! I’m a Johns Hopkins trained biomedical and electrical engineer with a variety of interests in the entertainment industry, information theory, evolution, big history, genetics, signal processing, transgenetics, translational medicine, and theoretical mathematics. I’m a strong advocate of the IndieWeb movement.
I have a love for analog office equipment including library card catalogs and typewriters. As of March 2025, I've got a segment of 45 typewriters, mostly portable and manual models along with several Royal standards, a Remington Standard, and one SMC typebar electric. I have been learning how to completely overhaul all of the machines in my collection, all of which work well aside from one or two machines which need some parts. I have a burgeoning collection of typewriter tools for continually repairing, maintaining, and upgrading my machines.
2024 was broadly a year of collecting portables and 2025 seems to be shaping up to be the year of the standards. I'm slowly morphing my TWdB collection photos so that the "hero" photos of the machine facing to the right (with the left side of the typewriter facing front generally with the carriage return in the front) are those that have been generally cleaned /restored while those facing to the left (with the right side of the typewriter facing front with carriage return in the rear) are those that still need cleaning, oiling, adjustment or a major repair. Those facing forward generally need work as well. Certainly some don't fit this pattern, but I hope to fix them all shortly as I get the requisite photos.
I've got more than half a dozen card catalogs including a Gaylord Bros. and a Steelcase along with several Remington Rand and some Shaw-Walkers. I've lost count of my index card collection once I passed 10,000.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Orga Privat 5 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Orga Serial Number page and the Orga Privat 5 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
