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195X VariTyper Composing Machine Serial # 512133-11 195X VariTyper Composing Machine typewriter, Serial # 512133-11 Kyle Oelofse's 195X VariTyper Composing Machine typewriter. 2018-05-12 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Kyle Oelofse: 195X VariTyper Composing Machine Serial # 512133-11 This appears to be the first VariTyper "Composing Machine" in the DB. I'm not sure if that's its actual model name or just a blanket term for the versions without the dials. It looks extremely similar to the Stencil-Writer pictured in the DB's serial number list, but doesn't have that written anywhere on it. I haven't been able to find any other images or mention of this no-dials VariTyper anywhere except an ad featured in ozTypewriter's "Varityper's Century of Typesetting" article.

It does not have any sort of justification mechanism I can find, unlike the 610 and 630 featured in the DB, so I believe this one was built specifically to serve as a regular typewriter. Almost literally just an electrified Hammond.

This particular machine was owned and used by a psychiatrist; at the time I purchased the machine from the woman selling it for him, he was over 90 years old and still practicing!

The original power cable was so badly degraded that I'm surprised the seller didn't electrocute herself when testing it. The rubber had split all over and there were patches of bare copper all throughout. A quick stop at Home Depot got me a replacement plug and some lamp cord, which was incredibly easy to install.

2018/02/07: Type samples updated with font names.

2018/05/12: Five new typefaces and type specimens added.

195X VariTyper Composing Machine #512133-11

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Kyle Oelofse (SaladKing)
Created: 02-04-2018 at 04:44AM
Last Edit: 05-12-2018 at 01:23AM

Description Hunter 40 Photos 5 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

This appears to be the first VariTyper "Composing Machine" in the DB. I'm not sure if that's its actual model name or just a blanket term for the versions without the dials. It looks extremely similar to the Stencil-Writer pictured in the DB's serial number list, but doesn't have that written anywhere on it. I haven't been able to find any other images or mention of this no-dials VariTyper anywhere except an ad featured in ozTypewriter's "Varityper's Century of Typesetting" article.

It does not have any sort of justification mechanism I can find, unlike the 610 and 630 featured in the DB, so I believe this one was built specifically to serve as a regular typewriter. Almost literally just an electrified Hammond.

This particular machine was owned and used by a psychiatrist; at the time I purchased the machine from the woman selling it for him, he was over 90 years old and still practicing!

The original power cable was so badly degraded that I'm surprised the seller didn't electrocute herself when testing it. The rubber had split all over and there were patches of bare copper all throughout. A quick stop at Home Depot got me a replacement plug and some lamp cord, which was incredibly easy to install.

2018/02/07: Type samples updated with font names.

2018/05/12: Five new typefaces and type specimens added.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Dirt stains and years of use become visible on the matte gray paint when held under the light. I'll have to break out the scrubbing bubbles at some point.
Dirt stains and years of use become visible on the matte gray paint when held under the light. I'll have to break out the scrubbing bubbles at some point.

This VariTyper (and possibly others) has an incandescent "backlight", turned on by a small switch at the bottom right corner of the keyboard.
This VariTyper (and possibly others) has an incandescent "backlight", turned on by a small switch at the bottom right corner of the keyboard.

It is not a delicate machine!
It is not a delicate machine!

What I assume are steel keyrings keep the paper labels and plastic coverings snugly on the keys. The backlight switch is clearly visible at the right.
What I assume are steel keyrings keep the paper labels and plastic coverings snugly on the keys. The backlight switch is clearly visible at the right.

The front logo here is in good condition, although the gold writing is faded and almost completely illegible. It is identical to the label on the back, which seems to identify this as a "Composing Machine".
The front logo here is in good condition, although the gold writing is faded and almost completely illegible. It is identical to the label on the back, which seems to identify this as a "Composing Machine".

Being a three-bank machine with interchangeable shuttle, there are two shift positions and one extra position for switching out the shuttle. This is the first position: at rest.
Being a three-bank machine with interchangeable shuttle, there are two shift positions and one extra position for switching out the shuttle. This is the first position: at rest.

This is the second position: CAP, for capital letters.
This is the second position: CAP, for capital letters.

This is the third position: FIG, for figures and symbols.
This is the third position: FIG, for figures and symbols.

This is the fourth position: Type Change. In this position, the anvil is locked up at this height and the shuttles become loose and removable.
This is the fourth position: Type Change. In this position, the anvil is locked up at this height and the shuttles become loose and removable.

Pulling the anvil up slightly higher allows it to be turned 180* around; this lets the operator quickly change between two fonts.
Pulling the anvil up slightly higher allows it to be turned 180* around; this lets the operator quickly change between two fonts.

Front hood removed. The VariTyper Composing Machine is literally a Hammond typewriter with an electric motor bolted on the back. As such, later-model Hammonds can use VariTyper shuttles, and vice versa!
Front hood removed. The VariTyper Composing Machine is literally a Hammond typewriter with an electric motor bolted on the back. As such, later-model Hammonds can use VariTyper shuttles, and vice versa!

Early carbon ribbons were nothing more than just long spools of narrow carbon paper. The printing results of this carbon spool are superb and blow the ink ribbon out of the water, but nobody makes this stuff anymore so I refrain from using it.
Early carbon ribbons were nothing more than just long spools of narrow carbon paper. The printing results of this carbon spool are superb and blow the ink ribbon out of the water, but nobody makes this stuff anymore so I refrain from using it.

This lever switches between 12pt and 16pt spacing, useful when using different-size fonts.
This lever switches between 12pt and 16pt spacing, useful when using different-size fonts.

This machine has a portly backside.
This machine has a portly backside.

The rear logo is chipped, but the gold lettering is still legible and declared this machine to be a "Composing Machine".
The rear logo is chipped, but the gold lettering is still legible and declared this machine to be a "Composing Machine".

The back cover also pops off to reveal the electric motor, mainspring housing, striking hammer, and backlight.
The back cover also pops off to reveal the electric motor, mainspring housing, striking hammer, and backlight.

A clearer shot.
A clearer shot.

A small drawer beneath the keys slides out and flips open to store different type shuttles and shuttle guards (ribbon guards?).
A small drawer beneath the keys slides out and flips open to store different type shuttles and shuttle guards (ribbon guards?).

Font Catalog #380-8: Bodoni Book, 12pitch.
Font Catalog #380-8: Bodoni Book, 12pitch.

Font Catalog #380-8: Bodoni Book, 12pitch. Some characters did not print.
Font Catalog #380-8: Bodoni Book, 12pitch. Some characters did not print.

Font Catalog #80: Viennese Script, 16pitch.
Font Catalog #80: Viennese Script, 16pitch.

Font Catalog #80: Viennese Script, 16pitch. All characters printed.
Font Catalog #80: Viennese Script, 16pitch. All characters printed.

Font Catalog #385-8: Bodoni Book Italic, 12pitch.
Font Catalog #385-8: Bodoni Book Italic, 12pitch.

Font Catalog #385-8: Bodoni Book Italic, 12pitch. Some characters did not print.
Font Catalog #385-8: Bodoni Book Italic, 12pitch. Some characters did not print.

Font Catalog #229: Express Gothic, 16pitch.
Font Catalog #229: Express Gothic, 16pitch.

Font Catalog #229: Express Gothic, 16pitch. Some characters did not print. I may have typed this one with the machine set to 12pitch by mistake.
Font Catalog #229: Express Gothic, 16pitch. Some characters did not print. I may have typed this one with the machine set to 12pitch by mistake.

Font Catalog #265-8: Princess Bold, 12pitch.
Font Catalog #265-8: Princess Bold, 12pitch.

Font Catalog #265-8: Princess Bold, 12pitch. Some characters did not print.
Font Catalog #265-8: Princess Bold, 12pitch. Some characters did not print.

I found this purely by accident while taking this photos. It's the serial, which reads "512133 11".
I found this purely by accident while taking this photos. It's the serial, which reads "512133 11".

It may have lost to the Selectric, but it certainly won a spot in history.
It may have lost to the Selectric, but it certainly won a spot in history.

Font Catalog #800-6C: Copperplate Gothic (Symbols), 16pitch.
Font Catalog #800-6C: Copperplate Gothic (Symbols), 16pitch.

Font Catalog #800-6C: Copperplate Gothic (Symbols), 16pitch. S,me characters misprinted.
Font Catalog #800-6C: Copperplate Gothic (Symbols), 16pitch. S,me characters misprinted.

Font Catalog #800-6C: Copperplate Gothic (Symbols), 16pitch
Font Catalog #800-6C: Copperplate Gothic (Symbols), 16pitch

Font Catalog #800-6C: Copperplate Gothic (Symbols), 16pitch
Font Catalog #800-6C: Copperplate Gothic (Symbols), 16pitch

Font Catalog #630-8-C: Bookman, 16pitch.
Font Catalog #630-8-C: Bookman, 16pitch.

Font Catalog #630-8-C: Bookman, 16pitch.
Font Catalog #630-8-C: Bookman, 16pitch.

Font Catalog #630-8-C: Bookman Italic, 16pitch.
Font Catalog #630-8-C: Bookman Italic, 16pitch.

Font Catalog #630-8-C: Bookman Italic, 16pitch.
Font Catalog #630-8-C: Bookman Italic, 16pitch.

Font Catalog #620-12A: Garamond, 12pitch.
Font Catalog #620-12A: Garamond, 12pitch.

Font Catalog #620-12A: Garamond, 12pitch.
Font Catalog #620-12A: Garamond, 12pitch.

Hunter: Kyle Oelofse (SaladKing)

Kyle Oelofse's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 422

I inherited two Royal KMMs as a kid. Over a decade later I started actively collecting and repairing in 2015 shortly after discovering the existence of "weird" typewriters like the Blickensderfer and Hammond, and finding a destroyed Super Sterling to experiment on.


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

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