1934 Underwood Universal #F784956
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brian Decker (bkdecker66)
Created: 12-14-2025 at 08:34PM
Last Edit: 01-18-2026 at 12:36PM
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Description:
2026-01-18 Update. Added photos of (1) type slug detail, showing "UP" foundry marks, which I think means "Underwood Pica"; (2) serial number on the underside of the machine, which I had originally thought was the actual unit serial number, before I found the "F" series serial number on the front to the left of the type segment.
2025-12-14 Gallery Creation. I believe I got this Underwood Universal portable at an antique mall in Hampton Falls, NH, on May 5, 2002, the same day I also acquired my Monarch 3, S/N 99868s (linked gallery). My credit card records suggest I paid $41.25 for this Underwood. It has a nice Pica typeface, and it came with a case (with broken hinges, unfortunately) and the key for the case. It also still has the cardboard tag indicating how to lock the carriage (why would someone leave that on???). I had the platen and feed rollers resurfaced by Ames Supply Co. in December of 2007, and I purchased a set of 3-D printed (TPV) feet for it earlier this year, in 2025. I did some basic cleaning, and it types pretty well. It could use a more professional and thorough deep cleaning.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: Brian Decker (bkdecker66)
Brian Decker's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2296
My interest in typewriters started in 1997, when I was in graduate school at the University of Georgia. I purchased and read Darryl Rehr's book, joined ETC, and started reaching out to known collectors. I had several email interchanges with Richard Polt dating from that period. I also bought some of my first machines from Bob Aubert, and visited him at his home twice. After marriage and relocation to New England, I continued visiting antique shops and eBay, until other priorities put my typewriter hobby on hiatus around 2008.
In late 2024, I started up again, working on my machines and having some of them serviced professionally by New England Typewriter (NET) LLC (Merrimack, NH), until they closed their doors in December of 2025. Since mid-2025, I have been adding to my collection again, first with a Hermes 3000 purchase from NET, then with various auctions and purchases on eBay, when I find something that catches my eye.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Underwood Universal on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Underwood Serial Number page and the Underwood Universal By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
