193x VariTyper Unknown #418346 20
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)
Created: 10-14-2021 at 06:11PM
Last Edit: 10-15-2021 at 10:49AM
Find on Ebay #AD
Find on Etsy #AD
Description:
This 20-inch electric Vari-Typer is in better shape than my other 20-inch one.
Currently the motor doesn't run. However the stencil light turns on when the machine is plugged!
One nut on the right ribbon spool is missing and has a replacement.
There is still some carbon ribbon in the big left spool!
Features:
- crinkle paint (which might indicate a later version)
- 20-inch platen
- electric motor
- carbon ribbon
- stencil light
- has automatic justification mechanism
- variable pitch lever
- half-backspace key ("HALF BS")
Compare with my following other entries:
- Varityper Incorporated (https://typewriterdatabase.com/193x-varityper-varityper-incorporated.12739.typewriter)
- Vari-Typer 20-inch (https://typewriterdatabase.com/193x-varityper-unknown.13454.typewriter)
- Vari-Typer 9-inch (https://typewriterdatabase.com/194x-varityper-unknown.15675.typewriter)
We should look at better categorizing these machines on TWDB. The manual that I scanned which matches this model is dated 1940:
https://archive.org/details/care-and-operation-of-the-vari-typer-april-1940
I am not sure there are earlier manuals that have surfaced. But that manual mentions:
- the 9 inch machine
- the 20 inch machine
Both appear to be able of doing automatic justification.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)
Erik Bruchez's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 11371
I started collecting my first pre-WW2 standard typewriters in 2017. Since then I have added a few machines to my collection, which now ranges from the 1880s to the 1980s. As of 2024, I have more big standard (desktop) typewriters than portables, a few standard electrics, and some unusual machines like Varitypers, uncommon IBM machines, and more. I am not a pro restorer, but I have restored a few of my machines beyond simple cleaning.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the VariTyper Unknown on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the VariTyper Serial Number page and the VariTyper Unknown By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
