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1971 IBM Selectric I Serial # 21-9432552 1971 IBM Selectric I typewriter, Serial # 21-9432552 Matt Watkins's 1971 IBM Selectric I typewriter. 2024-07-07 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Matt Watkins: 1971 IBM Selectric I Serial # 21-9432552 Purchased off FB for $60 in Portland, this typewriter is the same model I took typing class in high school on in 1981. My original one was a fabric ribbon versus cartridge on this, but otherwise identical.

1971 IBM Selectric I #21-9432552

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Matt Watkins (Ignaciob)
Created: 07-07-2024 at 07:40PM
Last Edit: 07-07-2024 at 07:42PM


Description:

Purchased off FB for $60 in Portland, this typewriter is the same model I took typing class in high school on in 1981. My original one was a fabric ribbon versus cartridge on this, but otherwise identical.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Serial number
Serial number

The previous owner said they purchased in Lincoln, Nebraska and this sticker suggests it was a leased machine and the store branch opened in that city in 1967.
The previous owner said they purchased in Lincoln, Nebraska and this sticker suggests it was a leased machine and the store branch opened in that city in 1967.

Hunter: Matt Watkins (Ignaciob)

Matt Watkins's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 338

First hunt and pecked on a 60's Smith Corona Sterling my mother had and Took typing class in 1982 on an IBM Selectric as a means to get into the computer class my sophomore year. Probably reached 60wpm. Once I moved over to computers I never really went back to typewriters, but 40 years later I find myself enjoying the sound, feel, and smell of a now-vintage Selectric 2 and just picked up a 1955 Silent Super. We'll see how far down the rabbit hole I go....

Update: July 2024. I have 26 typewriters at this point including an identical Selectric I used in high school. The collection kick started in April when I bought 16 in one purchase from a collector on his way out of the hobby. I've also had the good fortune of helping my local air museum find several period-correct WWII typewriters and even gave away a pristine 50's Smith Corona Silent Super to a 19 year old that was enamored typewriters.



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