1969 Montgomery Ward Signature 511D #B9288809
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Nadia Pinto (WantonSecretary)
Created: 06-22-2024 at 03:24PM
Last Edit: 06-22-2024 at 03:47PM
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Description:
Montgomery Ward 511D, manufactured February 1969 per the SN, Pica typeface.
My first typewriter, an eBay purchase. I wanted something sturdy and stylish, and eventually leaned toward Montgomery Wards models as I kept browsing. I didn't mind the idea of doing a little refurbishing if I had to, but ideally not too much. The space-age form and colors were endearing, and it came in the original case, infused with the original cigarette smoke as well.
This one arrived with a little wear from transit, namely a bent erasure shield (as the manual identifies it) and the backspace linkage out of place. I found the courage to bend the former back into place, and the latter was more trouble for me to identify than it was for me to fix (although it still likes to unlink itself - I'm working on it). It took time to clean out as the interior was showered with bits of eraser and the occasional fine, white human hair. The real challenge was that I opted to replace the screws that made up the shift alignment system, which turned into a couple months of me having to reinvent it entirely since naturally, the original screws and bolts seem essentially impossible to source. I will add some photos of it before and after.
It works pretty well now. There are scratches to the paint that I'd like to prevent from spreading. I love the smoothness and curvature of the keys. Small hands like mine might appreciate a lighter touch (it's no Facit, to be sure) but it's very satisfying to use and for now the one I keep at my office as it has the widest carriage in my collection currently. I'm on the prowl for more Montgomery Wards though alternate Brother models would also be satisfactory.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Nadia Pinto (WantonSecretary)
Nadia Pinto's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 15
Growing up, one of the joys of yearly visits with my family in Rome plunking the keys of my dear Nonno Italo's mid-century typewriter. Those days are long gone, but my fondness for typewriters and all things nostaliga was deeply instilled in my distant Italian life.
Currently landlocked in the godforsaken northern Rockies, typewriters are a wondrous escape that I try to incorporate sneakily into my work as a government employee whenever possible. Office jobs are underrated. I treasure the records of decades past in old, typewritten documents and note cards that survive increasing digitization. I especially love going home to deep clean a lonely machine back to glory.
Still, I think I'm always searching for my nonno's typewriter. I don't know what it was, and I'll probably never lay my hands on it again. But the path through my growing typewriter collection is worthwhile.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Montgomery Ward Signature 511D 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 511D By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
