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Home » Montgomery Ward » Signature 440T » 1968 #F0670339
1968 Montgomery Ward Signature 440T Serial # F0670339 1968 Montgomery Ward Signature 440T typewriter, Serial # F0670339 James Grooms's 1968 Montgomery Ward Signature 440T typewriter. 2025-02-15 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of James Grooms: 1968 Montgomery Ward Signature 440T Serial # F0670339 From the auction site----
[Theodore Kaczynski (aka, the "Unabomber")]. 1968 Montgomery Ward Signature Portable 440T (Serial Number F0670339). 14 1/2" (L) x 12 1/2" (W) x 3 1/2" (H). Red and black ribbon. Normal wear from use.

On April 3, 1996, FBI investigators arrested Theodore "Ted" Kaczynski, nicknamed by the press, the "Unabomber." The arrest ended a nationwide bombing campaign that plagued American families for over eighteen years. Despite numerous psychiatric diagnoses that suggested Kaczynski was not competent to stand trial, the Unabomber refused to use an insanity defense. Accordingly, prosecutors sought the death penalty using evidence that included the typewriter featured here. In order to avoid the death penalty, Kaczynski pleaded guilty to all charges on January 22, 1998 and received eight consecutive life sentences.

Thirteen years later, the FBI organized an unprecedented online auction of Kaczynski's personal items, including this typewriter, to raise money for the Unabomber's victims and their family members. Kaczynski vehemently opposed this plan and sued for seven years to keep the typewriter and other possessions out of the sale. He failed and in 2011, this machine became part of The Collection.
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The SN is not shown and the number in the auction listing doesn't match a 1968 model. Perhaps it was a typo.

See link for more images.

1968 Montgomery Ward Signature 440T #F0670339

Status: Sightings
Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)
Created: 02-15-2025 at 07:47AM
Last Edit: 02-15-2025 at 12:19PM


Description:

From the auction site----
[Theodore Kaczynski (aka, the "Unabomber")]. 1968 Montgomery Ward Signature Portable 440T (Serial Number F0670339). 14 1/2" (L) x 12 1/2" (W) x 3 1/2" (H). Red and black ribbon. Normal wear from use.

On April 3, 1996, FBI investigators arrested Theodore "Ted" Kaczynski, nicknamed by the press, the "Unabomber." The arrest ended a nationwide bombing campaign that plagued American families for over eighteen years. Despite numerous psychiatric diagnoses that suggested Kaczynski was not competent to stand trial, the Unabomber refused to use an insanity defense. Accordingly, prosecutors sought the death penalty using evidence that included the typewriter featured here. In order to avoid the death penalty, Kaczynski pleaded guilty to all charges on January 22, 1998 and received eight consecutive life sentences.

Thirteen years later, the FBI organized an unprecedented online auction of Kaczynski's personal items, including this typewriter, to raise money for the Unabomber's victims and their family members. Kaczynski vehemently opposed this plan and sued for seven years to keep the typewriter and other possessions out of the sale. He failed and in 2011, this machine became part of The Collection.
--------------------------------------------------------
The SN is not shown and the number in the auction listing doesn't match a 1968 model. Perhaps it was a typo.

See link for more images.

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

Hunter: James Grooms (jgrooms)

James Grooms's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 12296

As with many, the bug is back there somewhere due to an Underwood No. 5. My grandparents had a No 5. My parents had a yellow Royal Safari that I used to index card everything, including a beer can collection. Collection syndrome clue! A casual interest in typewriters started with a garage sale 3 bank simply because it said Underwood on it. Typewriters were found here and there , but I wasn't actively looking for them. The long dormant collecting tic was activated when my neighbors left a Remington Quiet Riter on the curb when they moved.

Typewriters are the perfect blend of using one's technical skills, history and functional purpose. My goal is type tested machines. My interests are not isolated to anyone area. For example, I am a big fan of Smith Corona electrics, mid century electrics and all things Royal.



RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Montgomery Ward Signature 440T on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Montgomery Ward Serial Number page and the Montgomery Ward Signature 440T By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.