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Home » Tower » Constellation » 1961 #6LTT 109023
1961 Tower Constellation Serial # 6LTT 109023 1961 Tower Constellation typewriter, Serial # 6LTT 109023 Kyle Oelofse's 1961 Tower Constellation typewriter. 2018-09-30 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Kyle Oelofse: 1961 Tower Constellation Serial # 6LTT 109023 I don't recall when this one entered my collection nor where it came from.

1961 Tower Constellation #6LTT 109023

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Kyle Oelofse (SaladKing)
Created: 01-18-2018 at 09:28PM
Last Edit: 09-30-2018 at 07:19PM

Description Hunter 13 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

I don't recall when this one entered my collection nor where it came from.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

The name is probably derived from the Smith-Corona Galaxie, though I don't have any corroborating evidence.
The name is probably derived from the Smith-Corona Galaxie, though I don't have any corroborating evidence.

Until some fiddling with an underside lever fixed it, this machine's ribbon vibrator didn't work. Only then did I discover its Script font. The "C" key is bent a bit weirdly, but it still works fine.
Until some fiddling with an underside lever fixed it, this machine's ribbon vibrator didn't work. Only then did I discover its Script font. The "C" key is bent a bit weirdly, but it still works fine.

For a Sears ripoff, it's not a bad looking machine!
For a Sears ripoff, it's not a bad looking machine!

The keys are all identical to the Sterling's and other contemporary SCM typewriters.
The keys are all identical to the Sterling's and other contemporary SCM typewriters.

This key was either hit too hard or the typist was very angry one day. I've bent it left so it lines up better, but it still presses lower than normal.
This key was either hit too hard or the typist was very angry one day. I've bent it left so it lines up better, but it still presses lower than normal.

This machine still has its little metal paper arms. I discovered these while taking these photos.
This machine still has its little metal paper arms. I discovered these while taking these photos.

The typeheads need cleaning but it still types clearly.
The typeheads need cleaning but it still types clearly.

The carriage lacks the curves and styling of the Sterling's. I didn't understand why until I pushed against it and got the next photo.
The carriage lacks the curves and styling of the Sterling's. I didn't understand why until I pushed against it and got the next photo.

The back of the carriage folds down for easy access to the margin mechanism. In my opinion this is an improvement over SCM's own Sterling and Galaxie machines.
The back of the carriage folds down for easy access to the margin mechanism. In my opinion this is an improvement over SCM's own Sterling and Galaxie machines.

Much simpler than SCM's on their name-brand machines, but the placement is the same - smack on the back of the carriage.
Much simpler than SCM's on their name-brand machines, but the placement is the same - smack on the back of the carriage.

Seems someone ran steel wool or some other abrasive over the platen, maybe in an attempt to get it to grip the paper better.
Seems someone ran steel wool or some other abrasive over the platen, maybe in an attempt to get it to grip the paper better.

Much blockier than SCM's machines. The whole typewriter is pretty much the economy workhorse version of the Sterling or Galaxie.
Much blockier than SCM's machines. The whole typewriter is pretty much the economy workhorse version of the Sterling or Galaxie.

Where the Galaxie and Sterling exemplify the styles set by 1960's machines, the Constellation exemplifies their hardiness. This machine bears the scratches and wear of much correspondence yet types like the day it was made.
Where the Galaxie and Sterling exemplify the styles set by 1960's machines, the Constellation exemplifies their hardiness. This machine bears the scratches and wear of much correspondence yet types like the day it was made.

Hunter: Kyle Oelofse (SaladKing)

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

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 382

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

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