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1948 Royal KMM Serial # KMM 3732637 1948 Royal KMM typewriter, Serial # KMM 3732637 James Grooms's 1948 Royal KMM typewriter. 2025-01-03 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of James Grooms: 1948 Royal KMM Serial # KMM 3732637 A rusty typewriter that had good paint under the grime. Parts or potential? It went into a plastic tub, hosed down with the dreaded WD-40 and put the lid on it. Months later and some work and she shines once more. The only issue was a missing spring on the left ribbon mechanism. And oh can she type!!!

There were roughly 1.57 million of these made (excluding the 24k KHTs). We can add nearly another million with the KMG. They should be a top 10 gallery typer. Unloved by most. Go see the C-Span interview with David McCullough !

The almost always turned brown keys don't help. Why doesn't someone make a cheapie version of the $400 plus used tool? Seems like a golden op for a Chinese company,

Some newspaper research: When released sales ran in excess of 30% of capacity from a stock report. Multiple dealers are running ads blowing out used machines to make room for the KMM. Early ads and that KHT designation show they weren't quite sure what to call it. It would appear the KMG is just an effort to use up the parts inventory as they are onto the HH and electrics. The upgrade would be the snap out platen coming on the HH.

The shop manual shows an option for a palm tabulator. Has anyone ever seen one on a KMM? I thought the HH was the only one to get this. However, there must be a KMM?KMG somewhere with this. Added image.

Is this Magic Margin model a top 5 in historical significance for 'modern' typewriters? What are the top 5? Underwood 5, Remington Portable 1, IBM Electromatic, Selectric, S-C 5TE ??????

1948 Royal KMM #KMM 3732637

Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 02-01-2024 at 07:47AM
Last Edit: 01-03-2025 at 07:44AM

Description Hunter 18 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

A rusty typewriter that had good paint under the grime. Parts or potential? It went into a plastic tub, hosed down with the dreaded WD-40 and put the lid on it. Months later and some work and she shines once more. The only issue was a missing spring on the left ribbon mechanism. And oh can she type!!!

There were roughly 1.57 million of these made (excluding the 24k KHTs). We can add nearly another million with the KMG. They should be a top 10 gallery typer. Unloved by most. Go see the C-Span interview with David McCullough !

The almost always turned brown keys don't help. Why doesn't someone make a cheapie version of the $400 plus used tool? Seems like a golden op for a Chinese company,

Some newspaper research: When released sales ran in excess of 30% of capacity from a stock report. Multiple dealers are running ads blowing out used machines to make room for the KMM. Early ads and that KHT designation show they weren't quite sure what to call it. It would appear the KMG is just an effort to use up the parts inventory as they are onto the HH and electrics. The upgrade would be the snap out platen coming on the HH.

The shop manual shows an option for a palm tabulator. Has anyone ever seen one on a KMM? I thought the HH was the only one to get this. However, there must be a KMM?KMG somewhere with this. Added image.

Is this Magic Margin model a top 5 in historical significance for 'modern' typewriters? What are the top 5? Underwood 5, Remington Portable 1, IBM Electromatic, Selectric, S-C 5TE ??????

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

Photos:



Note the cover doesn't have the glossy black band on either side of the chrome. Seems a 1948 model change as they get ready for the KMG.
Note the cover doesn't have the glossy black band on either side of the chrome. Seems a 1948 model change as they get ready for the KMG.





For one that didn't seem to be abused, someone went to town on the scale. And it needs fixed to type on, I am going to sand that platen down some more and heat shrink it.
For one that didn't seem to be abused, someone went to town on the scale. And it needs fixed to type on, I am going to sand that platen down some more and heat shrink it.


Sold date?
Sold date?




12- palm tabulator option for KMM.
12- palm tabulator option for KMM.





Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)

James Grooms's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
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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.


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