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Home » Consul » 221 2 » 1970 #0 221 201108
1970 Consul 221 2 Serial # 0 221 201108 1970 Consul 221 2 typewriter, Serial # 0 221 201108 Daniel Burgoyne's 1970 Consul 221 2 typewriter. 2023-07-23 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Daniel Burgoyne: 1970 Consul 221 2 Serial # 0 221 201108 Nicknamed "Anonyme."

As found locally in Gatineau, Québec, I went to see it without knowing for sure which make and model it was because there are no labels nor decals on the body. Nowhere. I cannot say if a logo was on the front panel originally and fell or was ripped, but there is no change in the paint colour on the front panel, as one would expect to see if a logo had been there for a number of years. I suspected a Consul but I wasn't yet sure what model it would be.

I first thought it was originally sold as a Consul 221 but why would Consul not put their name and model on the body? There is strong evidence of its resemblence with Commodore 2200 models assembled and sold in Canada and so, I had changed my mind for a short while. It looks at home with the other Commodore 2200 that have the same features (colour, no tab, no paper rest) so it must have been assembled by Commodore.

Well, I have come to the conclusion that both hypotheses above are wrong.

The most logical explanation (I am open to discussion on this matter) is that E.T. Wilson Typewriters Ltd. of Ottawa, Canada, ordered a number of these from Consul, and probably other models as well, as asked that no brand or model appear on the body of the machine. It would then be an in-house brand of their business. The model number is reflected in the serial number and on a sticker under the carriage (see photos).

It was owned by a woman who worked as a text reviser/editor, born in 1930.

The typeface is Pica 2.5 mm pitch with a Canada French layout.

It has avery good all metal body design with a boxy looks. However, the platen is surprisingly hard and has imprints of caracters, as if it was once soft enough to retain the shape of the type. Not what one expect from a good rubber platen of 1970 vintage.

This model is "bare bones", compared to earlier versions of the Consul 221. It has no tabulator function, which is not a big deal but it is also missing a paper rest. Who would forego a paper rest? Not me!

As the seconf owner I had to make one repair.
The silent return spring was broken, causing the carriage to rattle when moved to the right. I formed a new silent return spring from 0.5 mm blued tempered steel wire.

The storage case is very high quality vinyl and attractive. I saw this storage case on photos, in the TWBD, of Consuls model 221 sold in Europe and Russia.

1970 Consul 221 2 #0 221 201108

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Daniel Burgoyne (Ixzed23)
Created: 07-20-2023 at 06:36AM
Last Edit: 07-23-2023 at 05:58PM

Description Hunter 12 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Nicknamed "Anonyme."

As found locally in Gatineau, Québec, I went to see it without knowing for sure which make and model it was because there are no labels nor decals on the body. Nowhere. I cannot say if a logo was on the front panel originally and fell or was ripped, but there is no change in the paint colour on the front panel, as one would expect to see if a logo had been there for a number of years. I suspected a Consul but I wasn't yet sure what model it would be.

I first thought it was originally sold as a Consul 221 but why would Consul not put their name and model on the body? There is strong evidence of its resemblence with Commodore 2200 models assembled and sold in Canada and so, I had changed my mind for a short while. It looks at home with the other Commodore 2200 that have the same features (colour, no tab, no paper rest) so it must have been assembled by Commodore.

Well, I have come to the conclusion that both hypotheses above are wrong.

The most logical explanation (I am open to discussion on this matter) is that E.T. Wilson Typewriters Ltd. of Ottawa, Canada, ordered a number of these from Consul, and probably other models as well, as asked that no brand or model appear on the body of the machine. It would then be an in-house brand of their business. The model number is reflected in the serial number and on a sticker under the carriage (see photos).

It was owned by a woman who worked as a text reviser/editor, born in 1930.

The typeface is Pica 2.5 mm pitch with a Canada French layout.

It has avery good all metal body design with a boxy looks. However, the platen is surprisingly hard and has imprints of caracters, as if it was once soft enough to retain the shape of the type. Not what one expect from a good rubber platen of 1970 vintage.

This model is "bare bones", compared to earlier versions of the Consul 221. It has no tabulator function, which is not a big deal but it is also missing a paper rest. Who would forego a paper rest? Not me!

As the seconf owner I had to make one repair.
The silent return spring was broken, causing the carriage to rattle when moved to the right. I formed a new silent return spring from 0.5 mm blued tempered steel wire.

The storage case is very high quality vinyl and attractive. I saw this storage case on photos, in the TWBD, of Consuls model 221 sold in Europe and Russia.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

As found, in its case with the owner's manual.
As found, in its case with the owner's manual.

Owner manual in French. There is no manufacturer name, brand, nor model written anywhere in the manual.
Owner manual in French. There is no manufacturer name, brand, nor model written anywhere in the manual.

Was this case made in Czechoslovakia? Based on photos found on the TWDB for Consuls sold in Europe and Russia, I would say yes.
Was this case made in Czechoslovakia? Based on photos found on the TWDB for Consuls sold in Europe and Russia, I would say yes.

Underside of the carriage, which is so easy to take off the machine by removing two screws and the whole assembly lifts off. A sticker showing 221 model number.
Underside of the carriage, which is so easy to take off the machine by removing two screws and the whole assembly lifts off. A sticker showing 221 model number.

Cannot decipher this ink stamp logo. Is it KZP???
Cannot decipher this ink stamp logo. Is it KZP???

Serial number 0 221 201108
Serial number 0 221 201108

I used 0.5 mm blued tempered steel wire by 72 mm long to make a replacement silent return spring. My drawing of the ring pattern on the note was not as good as the real ring, therefore, I formed the new ring and arm by matching the new to the original, broken spring.
I used 0.5 mm blued tempered steel wire by 72 mm long to make a replacement silent return spring. My drawing of the ring pattern on the note was not as good as the real ring, therefore, I formed the new ring and arm by matching the new to the original, broken spring.

Escapement silent return spring (2) on diagram provided by Barna Horváth.
Escapement silent return spring (2) on diagram provided by Barna Horváth.




No longer in business, it sold many typewriters of all makes.
No longer in business, it sold many typewriters of all makes.

Hunter: Daniel Burgoyne (Ixzed23)

Daniel Burgoyne's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 595

Bonjour! I am from the region of Montreal, Quebec and moved to Ottawa, Ontario in 1992.

Amateur watchmaker and machinist, I love anything mechanical, hydraulic or electric. I have restored American and Canadian clocks and small lathes, milling machines and a jig bore.

Most of my typewriters have French Canadian QWERTY keyboards, with some exception for rare finds.


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