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1953 Underwood All-Electric Serial # E12 7277636 1953 Underwood All-Electric typewriter, Serial # E12 7277636 James Grooms's 1953 Underwood All-Electric typewriter. 2024-09-05 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of James Grooms: 1953 Underwood All-Electric Serial # E12 7277636 Super clean inside and out, and all the functions are a go. There's one screw missing on the LS shift lever. A little old lady special. Hopefully I don't mess up what should be an easy service.
A big weekend for electrics with a working 1925 Woodstock Electrite to get picked up.
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How about a history interlude?

Using newspaper sources, it is clear that the big four know IBM is coming out with a new model - the Model A. Underwood ads show that they had announced a release time and had to backpedal as "worth the wait" as the launch was delayed until 1948. One can make a pretty good assumption that there were problems that had to be addressed in quality control/function.

What plays out is another example of Underwood's demise. Using used prices as guides, the All Electric was a flop. For a decade they make no attempt at another model, despite the fact that is possibly the ugliest typewriter in an age when style counts. Around 1956 the All Electric becomes the Golden Touch. It is physically the same machine and has received some color treatments. The ads show it has electric ribbon rewind. Was there a carbon ribbon option on this model as well? Ads also show an interesting feature for used machines where they make a break at those after 740,000, so I am thinking this was the Golden Touch start. This one is a 727, so by 1956 it is 740? Besides the ribbon rewind the ad says "cushioned power," I wonder if this was a dashpot carriage brake? Because this machine has no dashpot or any form of brake and the return is violent.

Was it a big step up from the All Electric to the rebadged Golden Touch? I doubt it. In 1960 they finally release the Scriptor/Forum/Raphael, but by then it's all over for the once mighty Underwood. The early Scriptors were also labeled Golden Touch. Hey that might not have been a good idea so let's go with Scriptor.

At least Royal made a run at it with three separate models. Now I need a Remington Electri-conomy!

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Turned out pretty nice. Typical of the era is how to clean up the crinkle without destroying the finish and light gray is hard to hide the dirt. In the end a wd-40, oh no, tooth brush bath and wipe down is best. Whenever I get one of these new to me machines I tell myself, go slow and watch what you are taking apart. Despite this, I pulled the card guide/index stuff out for cleaning and oops, This also holds the pinion shaft in place. So an unforced error that required taking the basket apart. This wasn't too bad until I got to the end and was one link short! Fortunately the shop carpet, an old area rug did it's job,

------
Head to head with a Royal RE? Underwood msrp $375. Royal first gen electric was $395 and I suspect this second gen was close, if not the same. This Royal is a 1958 (link), but came out in 54 so this 58 model would be a contemporary competitor to this 53 Underwood.

First up, these are both really nice examples to compare, as in neither one is an abused beater brought back to life through any extreme efforts. They both led charmed existences and feature good rubber. The paper feeds work as they should, etc.

How do they compare? There really is no comparison. The All-Electric is just crude in every way. Royal is able to graft an electric onto an FP whereas Underwood's SX lineup required a lot of new things to make it an electric. The biggest advantage this offered was a touch control on the Royal, which would've been huge to prevent secretaries who were hammering on manuals from misfiring keys on touchy electrics. The Royal keyboard is covered and clean. The tried and true Magic Margin and everything is simply ergonomically dialed in. And the carriage return is not like a train running off the rails. I suspect the grafted on ribbon selector switch and on/off switch on the Underwood are an achilles heel. I had to fix the selector to black because the goofy flimsy knob gave up the ghost on me.

On the service side the Underwood is easy to work on due to the way the panels come off. Even the base/feet unit comes off from the mechanism. If you see one of these in the wild, fyi, the back cover just pulls straight out and away, so you could make a quick look at the belt and wiring. As always, the ribbon maintenance is hands down better on the Royal than the Underwood setup.

In their day the main selling point was multiple copies impression control. Remember kiddos, there are no copy machines. So I loaded up three sheets and they both work well. I fail to see how Underwood's dial to 18 was any sort of effective setup other than a gimmick. The Royal has a three position switch that changes the gear ratio on the roller by moving the belt on both ends of the shaft! I am going to venture this complicated setup was a weak spot for these. It is something else! On the roller front, unlike their IBM superiors using rubber, these bad boys can be brought back to life due to the steel fluted - i.e. indestructible - rollers.

Style points? Royal 10. Underwood 1. A typewriter only a mother could love.

Looking for a first gen Royal "Magic Electric:" and an early Remington electric. One of these Underwood Golden Touch models would be interesting as well to see how they attempted to overcome the All-Electric's shortcomings. I have a super clean Royal HE that hasn't been serviced to trade? Like this pink one (link), but gray on cream colors.

1953 Underwood All-Electric #E12 7277636

Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 09-02-2024 at 06:31PM
Last Edit: 09-05-2024 at 02:27PM

Description Hunter 26 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Super clean inside and out, and all the functions are a go. There's one screw missing on the LS shift lever. A little old lady special. Hopefully I don't mess up what should be an easy service.
A big weekend for electrics with a working 1925 Woodstock Electrite to get picked up.
-----------------------------------------

How about a history interlude?

Using newspaper sources, it is clear that the big four know IBM is coming out with a new model - the Model A. Underwood ads show that they had announced a release time and had to backpedal as "worth the wait" as the launch was delayed until 1948. One can make a pretty good assumption that there were problems that had to be addressed in quality control/function.

What plays out is another example of Underwood's demise. Using used prices as guides, the All Electric was a flop. For a decade they make no attempt at another model, despite the fact that is possibly the ugliest typewriter in an age when style counts. Around 1956 the All Electric becomes the Golden Touch. It is physically the same machine and has received some color treatments. The ads show it has electric ribbon rewind. Was there a carbon ribbon option on this model as well? Ads also show an interesting feature for used machines where they make a break at those after 740,000, so I am thinking this was the Golden Touch start. This one is a 727, so by 1956 it is 740? Besides the ribbon rewind the ad says "cushioned power," I wonder if this was a dashpot carriage brake? Because this machine has no dashpot or any form of brake and the return is violent.

Was it a big step up from the All Electric to the rebadged Golden Touch? I doubt it. In 1960 they finally release the Scriptor/Forum/Raphael, but by then it's all over for the once mighty Underwood. The early Scriptors were also labeled Golden Touch. Hey that might not have been a good idea so let's go with Scriptor.

At least Royal made a run at it with three separate models. Now I need a Remington Electri-conomy!

----------------------------------------------

Turned out pretty nice. Typical of the era is how to clean up the crinkle without destroying the finish and light gray is hard to hide the dirt. In the end a wd-40, oh no, tooth brush bath and wipe down is best. Whenever I get one of these new to me machines I tell myself, go slow and watch what you are taking apart. Despite this, I pulled the card guide/index stuff out for cleaning and oops, This also holds the pinion shaft in place. So an unforced error that required taking the basket apart. This wasn't too bad until I got to the end and was one link short! Fortunately the shop carpet, an old area rug did it's job,

------
Head to head with a Royal RE? Underwood msrp $375. Royal first gen electric was $395 and I suspect this second gen was close, if not the same. This Royal is a 1958 (link), but came out in 54 so this 58 model would be a contemporary competitor to this 53 Underwood.

First up, these are both really nice examples to compare, as in neither one is an abused beater brought back to life through any extreme efforts. They both led charmed existences and feature good rubber. The paper feeds work as they should, etc.

How do they compare? There really is no comparison. The All-Electric is just crude in every way. Royal is able to graft an electric onto an FP whereas Underwood's SX lineup required a lot of new things to make it an electric. The biggest advantage this offered was a touch control on the Royal, which would've been huge to prevent secretaries who were hammering on manuals from misfiring keys on touchy electrics. The Royal keyboard is covered and clean. The tried and true Magic Margin and everything is simply ergonomically dialed in. And the carriage return is not like a train running off the rails. I suspect the grafted on ribbon selector switch and on/off switch on the Underwood are an achilles heel. I had to fix the selector to black because the goofy flimsy knob gave up the ghost on me.

On the service side the Underwood is easy to work on due to the way the panels come off. Even the base/feet unit comes off from the mechanism. If you see one of these in the wild, fyi, the back cover just pulls straight out and away, so you could make a quick look at the belt and wiring. As always, the ribbon maintenance is hands down better on the Royal than the Underwood setup.

In their day the main selling point was multiple copies impression control. Remember kiddos, there are no copy machines. So I loaded up three sheets and they both work well. I fail to see how Underwood's dial to 18 was any sort of effective setup other than a gimmick. The Royal has a three position switch that changes the gear ratio on the roller by moving the belt on both ends of the shaft! I am going to venture this complicated setup was a weak spot for these. It is something else! On the roller front, unlike their IBM superiors using rubber, these bad boys can be brought back to life due to the steel fluted - i.e. indestructible - rollers.

Style points? Royal 10. Underwood 1. A typewriter only a mother could love.

Looking for a first gen Royal "Magic Electric:" and an early Remington electric. One of these Underwood Golden Touch models would be interesting as well to see how they attempted to overcome the All-Electric's shortcomings. I have a super clean Royal HE that hasn't been serviced to trade? Like this pink one (link), but gray on cream colors.

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Clean your slugs.
Clean your slugs.















If she were to get her wrist pinned between the carriage and asay a file cabinet it would shatter her wrist.
If she were to get her wrist pinned between the carriage and asay a file cabinet it would shatter her wrist.

What they usually look like.
What they usually look like.

Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)

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

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 7515

As with many, the bug is back there somewhere due to an Underwood No. 5. My grandfather was on a small town school board and used one for this. My parents had a yellow Royal Safari that I used to index card everything, including a beer can collection. Collection syndrome clue! The long dormant tic was activated when my neighbors left a Remington Quiet Riter on the curb when they moved in circa 2010, Yes a believe it or not story is next, when a Hermes 3000 comes home with the girlfriend from work for free. Yes, free! From there the addiction is full steam. And yes, I now have a No. 5. Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Underwood All-Electric on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Underwood Serial Number page and the Underwood All-Electric By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

Typewriter Hunter Merch!