1954 Smith Corona Tabulator #4AR 19674
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brad Sarno (bradsarno)
Created: 09-03-2014 at 07:58AM
Last Edit: 10-15-2018 at 07:09PM
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Description:
Walking through an antique store the other day, I saw a guy wanting to buy this small tweed case for a guitar amplifier project. But he didn't want the typewriter inside and asked for a deal. I happened to be right there. The price tag was $10, and since I overheard the conversation, I jumped in and said I'd pay $5 for the typewriter and then he'd only need to pay $5 for the cool tweed case. So there I was with my $5 mystery typer. It was clearly a "Sterling" or "Tabulator", but nowhere on the machine did it say a model name. This machine was also sold by Sears/Tower as a Challenger.
USA Made, not Canada like some of its time.
It's a good machine, types like the excellent SC portables of its age. It's a little stripped down with no paper bail, just the small roller/clip things, and this one is missing the right one. Maybe I'll find one someday. It types great, works great, and looks pretty cool. Too bad I didn't get the case, but for $5, who's complaining?
10-pitch pica typeface.
Correction: Serial number starts with 4ARxxxxx
Some strange 4A series numbering scheme...
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Brad Sarno (bradsarno)
Brad Sarno's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2728
I've spent my life as a mechanical and electronics tinkerer, bikes, cars, lawnmowers, appliances, cameras, audio gear, guitars, amplifiers, and pedal steel guitars. I was trained as a typist for 2 years back in the late 70's on IBM Selectric II's. At home I recall my mother having an Olympia SM3. More recently we got our daughter a typewriter for Christmas, and that somehow sparked my own personal interest in these fine and interesting machines. Now it's a habit that just won't quit. Daily searches on Craigslist, frequent trips to antique stores & malls, garage sales, etc. It's a fun and healthy addiction.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Tabulator on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Tabulator By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
