1935 Smith Corona Silent #1S 35115
Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 08-22-2024 at 03:02PM
Last Edit: 08-22-2024 at 07:01PM

Description:
"The finest light typewriter human ingenuity can produce." Dealer ad 1935.
Part of an Iowa expedition. Found on the somewhat enclosed front porch of a crumbling shotgun shack. So it was very moldy and looked pretty rough, but surprisingly no rust. The nice thing about the felt, if it remains in good condition, it can be washed and dried out in the sun and no smell. Clean, clean, clean, service, detail the body panels and woo woo!
So this is the sixth 1/2 series project, with another couple in the wings, and what have I learned? These things hold up far better than Royals. You'll rarely run into a Royal portable that doesn't need feet. And while the platen is definitely hard on this one, it is useable. And the rollers are serviceable. P, O, Deluxe, QDLs, most of the early ones need rubber to be typers. The Royal shelf is a forlorn sad mess! Whereas the 1-5 series Smith-Coronas just type! If you want an antique portable that can go to work, these 1 series machines are the ticket. This from someone not trying to sell you a typewriter.
Typeface Specimen:

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Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
James Grooms's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 10368
As with many, the bug is back there somewhere due to an Underwood No. 5. My grandparents had a No 5. My parents had a yellow Royal Safari that I used to index card everything, including a beer can collection. Collection syndrome clue! A casual interest in typewriters started with a garage sale 3 bank simply because it said Underwood on it. Typewriters were found here and there , but I wasn't actively looking for them. The long dormant collecting tic was activated when my neighbors left a Remington Quiet Riter on the curb when they moved.
Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose. My goal is type tested machines. My interests are not isolated to anyone area. For example, I am a big fan of Smith Corona electrics, mid century electrics and all things Royal.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Silent on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Silent By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.