1942 Urania Klein-Urania #410023

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)
Created: 08-30-2022 at 07:34AM
Last Edit: 08-30-2022 at 07:39AM

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Description:

I struck quite a good deal with this not-exactly-little Klein Urania.

Of course, the Klein Urania is smaller that its single-numbered sisters like the Urania 8 which was being produced at the same time, but even if it's portable it isn't a featherweight contraption which trades weight for performance. This thing is tough. Fast, precise action in a sturdy frame. Good to type on, but it has a certain something like the aformentiones Urania 8... It's that doomy aura. Gone were the days of the colorful decals and bright design, this typewriter was designed with different precepts.

This one has a Spanish keyboard layout, with some extra fractions that are more frequent in QWERTY-UK layouts. In addition, the dealer tag gives some interesting information. Back in 1942 Spain was under the dictatorship of Franco, clearly sided with Nazi Germany. Since most of typewriters in Spain were made by the local branch of Olivetti, the government made no objections to the arrival of machines from friendly countries, preferring them over American material. It's surprising how "easily" several fairly obscure German typewriters made their way to Spain, and because of that here it's easier to find a Perkeo than a Smith Corona. And another point is the address: Avenida José Antonio is today the Gran Vía, Madrid's most famous street, but at the time it was renamed honoring José Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder of Falange Española, a fascist political party.

Leaving history and politics aside, this is a great typewriter. Awesome quality here.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Another angle on the matter

A Sun ray and on the back something I'm trying to rescue

Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)

Javier Vazquez del Olmo's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
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The first typewriter I saw was my grandpa´s Olivetti Linea 98 at the office. It was just a curio for me. Then I was given a Nakajima, which I didn´t use and my grandfather took it from me because it was easier to handle than the bulky Linea 98. Now I own that typewriter, and I started a little collection in Valladolid, Spain. The Nakajima, which is "my" typewriter only returned home in 2017, almost 20 years later, when he wanted a better typewriter.

A collection that started small grew into something bigger, a nuisace for my family and a great source of satisfaction for me.