1941 Smith Corona Sterling #3A 90259
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Zigmund Hostutler (Qwerpty)
Created: 04-18-2025 at 07:33AM
Last Edit: 04-18-2025 at 07:46AM
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Description:
Pica type. Acquired locally in the summer of 2022. Photos are ca. 2022.
The serial number indicates this is one of the last 10,000 Sterlings manufactured in 1941; as such, it has a few interesting features. It has both paper fingers and a paper bail, a somewhat uncommon pairing on a Sterling. Conversely, it lacks the ergonomic carriage return lever that Sterlings usually came with. Its return lever is what came equipped on the base model Standard. Instead of an electroplated finish, this typewriter has a hot-blued finish; this appears to be a peculiarity unique to the late '41 and '42 Coronas.
Time hasn't been very kind to this Sterling. It seems to have been stored in a dank basement for the last few decades. The case has long since disappeared, probably rotted away. The linespace indexing is jammed, and the machine is full of rust. This one is the single worst-smelling machine I have ever come across. Amazingly, I was able to write a couple pages with it after I got it. It has since become a parts donor for my '38 Sterling.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Zigmund Hostutler (Qwerpty)
Zigmund Hostutler's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 281
"Typewriting is writing minus the drudgery." -1920s Underwood Advertising
Been enjoying the hobby since 2015; finally getting around to sharing my collection digitally. I only keep the typewriters I use and enjoy the most, so check out my sightings to see all the machines that came and went.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Sterling on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Sterling By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
