1936 Royal O #O-585993
Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 09-10-2024 at 08:21AM
Last Edit: 03-07-2025 at 05:35AM
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Description:
The pick of the litter from the Royal portable shelve(s). This "Touch Control," unlike most Royal portables, has pretty good rubber and fair feet. I acquired it from the 93 year old second owner. It was never relegated to the garage, or worse, the shed, and was kept in a climate controlled house. So it is a good candidate to compare to it's Corona/S-C 'flat top' competition.
This one cleaned up really nice. The quality control was off that day because there are drips in the paint. As well, the finish spider cracked (images) despite zero evidence of any rust or humidity exposure.
The carriage shift Royal can't compete with the floating shift and the action on a Smith Corona is always superior to a Royal portable. It doesn't take much touch type speed to crowd a Royal. I find it very interesting the gap between Royal's portable division vs the standard guys. So, the number two slot behind the superior 1 series Corona, but a step up from a Remington 5, and a huge step above an Underwood four-bank.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
James Grooms's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 10718
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 Royal O on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Royal Serial Number page and the Royal O By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
