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1954 IBM Model A Serial # 209795 1954 IBM Model A typewriter, Serial # 209795 Stephen Clancy's 1954 IBM Model A typewriter. 2019-10-24 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Stephen Clancy: 1954 IBM Model A Serial # 209795 Somewhat unusual in that the factory label on the underside frame indicated that this was a Model C, which it clearly is not. With help from Richard Polt and Duane Jensen of Phoenix Typewriter, was able to identify this as a late Model A. Per Duane, the identifying characteristics between the Model A and B are: "I use the right carriage cover as my quick reference (A is skinny, B wider to match left side). Another way is the IBM logo, the plate for the Model A is solid, where the logo on the Model B consists of individual letters.". I also believe that the ribbon selector on the Model A is also distinctive in that it reads "Color Control" Machine is not fully functional yet as it powers up but not all of the keys are working. Found this machine at an antique mall that was closing down. Was not really looking for an electric, but it looked so forlorn, so it had to come home with me.

1954 IBM Model A #209795

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Stephen Clancy (navyldolcdr)
Created: 10-24-2019 at 01:11PM
Last Edit: 10-24-2019 at 01:37PM


Description:

Somewhat unusual in that the factory label on the underside frame indicated that this was a Model C, which it clearly is not. With help from Richard Polt and Duane Jensen of Phoenix Typewriter, was able to identify this as a late Model A. Per Duane, the identifying characteristics between the Model A and B are: "I use the right carriage cover as my quick reference (A is skinny, B wider to match left side). Another way is the IBM logo, the plate for the Model A is solid, where the logo on the Model B consists of individual letters.". I also believe that the ribbon selector on the Model A is also distinctive in that it reads "Color Control" Machine is not fully functional yet as it powers up but not all of the keys are working. Found this machine at an antique mall that was closing down. Was not really looking for an electric, but it looked so forlorn, so it had to come home with me.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Right front and side
Right front and side

Front straight on
Front straight on

Keys
Keys

Key well
Key well

Serial number
Serial number

Serial number plate modified with DD  hand stamped in front of serial number
Serial number plate modified with DD hand stamped in front of serial number

Incorrect  factory  label as 11C
Incorrect factory label as 11C

Top rear and side with distinctive thinner right side carriage cover.  The Model B has a wider cover to match the left side
Top rear and side with distinctive thinner right side carriage cover. The Model B has a wider cover to match the left side

Distinctive "Color Control" labeling of ribbon selector.  Also distinctive for the Model A vs Model B
Distinctive "Color Control" labeling of ribbon selector. Also distinctive for the Model A vs Model B

Hunter: Stephen Clancy (navyldolcdr)

Stephen Clancy's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1436

Retired in June of 2015 and relocated from IL to NC (no more snow and cold but unfortunately, no more Portillo's Chicago dogs either). Missed my old manual typewriter and went on the hunt for a replacement. My first find was a 1920 Royal Model 10 (second design with the dual side glass) . Have always been very fond of typewriters, from the old portable that my mother used, to my first typing class in 1967, then on into the Navy where, as a Communications Yeoman, I worked on the AN/UGC-6 with the 28 ASR (automatic send receive) teletype machine as well as the IBM card punch machines in use at the time. I guess you can say that from 1967 onward, I have been typing on one machine or another, and now have started collecting as my little part in the preservation of the great machines of he past.



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