1049 Brands 3154 Models 21136 Galleries 13162 Typefaces 6273 Patents
Home » Oliver » Courier » 1956 #56-23293
1956 Oliver Courier Serial # 56-23293 1956 Oliver Courier typewriter, Serial # 56-23293 Jonathan Sprung's 1956 Oliver Courier typewriter. 2023-07-09 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Jonathan Sprung: 1956 Oliver Courier Serial # 56-23293 This Oliver Courier, made in England in 1956, was in very rough shape when I saw it on FB marketplace. I went to look at it, and the carriage wouldn't move, and it had quite a lot of rust and mildew, but the keys all worked, and everything else seemed in order, so I bought it. I'm glad I did. It only took a little while to get the carriage moving, and clean it up, and it's a nice little typer. A little loud, due to the hard platen, but I love the Oliver font. I've included some 'before' photos as well. The colour is very faded, but from what I can see from the underside, this was either originally pink, or the deterioration of the paint is leaving pink on the inside - either way, I'm thinking of painting it pink anyway, as the paint is coming off in places. It's not much to look at, but I like it. I'll see what further cleaning and maybe a teardown will reveal. The case is destroyed (moisture), and the front/side panel is the cheapest of tin material, but the top-piece, which is fitted onto two pegs, is quite solid, and gives the machine a solid feel.

1956 Oliver Courier #56-23293

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Jonathan Sprung (Jonathan)
Created: 06-25-2023 at 11:30AM
Last Edit: 07-09-2023 at 10:31AM


Description:

This Oliver Courier, made in England in 1956, was in very rough shape when I saw it on FB marketplace. I went to look at it, and the carriage wouldn't move, and it had quite a lot of rust and mildew, but the keys all worked, and everything else seemed in order, so I bought it. I'm glad I did. It only took a little while to get the carriage moving, and clean it up, and it's a nice little typer. A little loud, due to the hard platen, but I love the Oliver font. I've included some 'before' photos as well. The colour is very faded, but from what I can see from the underside, this was either originally pink, or the deterioration of the paint is leaving pink on the inside - either way, I'm thinking of painting it pink anyway, as the paint is coming off in places. It's not much to look at, but I like it. I'll see what further cleaning and maybe a teardown will reveal. The case is destroyed (moisture), and the front/side panel is the cheapest of tin material, but the top-piece, which is fitted onto two pegs, is quite solid, and gives the machine a solid feel.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:















Update on the case: 
It turned out very clean with a whole bunch of wood glue, elbow grease, and furniture polish. Looks a sight better.
Update on the case: It turned out very clean with a whole bunch of wood glue, elbow grease, and furniture polish. Looks a sight better.


Hunter: Jonathan Sprung (Jonathan)

Jonathan Sprung's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1232

I have been collecting typewriters all my life, starting with a 1980's Brother Charger 11 (which I no longer have, but have replaced with an identical machine). I have well over 60 typewriters now, with a few rare portables. Some are interesting or odd, but most of mine are common machines.

My wife and I have made a deal, that I can keep buying typewriters if she can keep buying shoes. Fair enough! *shrugs*



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