1978 Western Auto (Brother) Citation #H83575349
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Chris Eldridge (KurisuYamato)
Created: 05-25-2017 at 10:45PM
Last Edit: 06-05-2024 at 02:09PM
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Description:
Number 2 in my collection is this Brother Citation from the 70's. It's my first Manual typewriter, and is an ultra-portable design. Indeed, since I got seriously into using typewriters I have carried it out regularly enough, but at the same rate it's quality is somewhat poor - not terrible, but it does have a few oddities in the letter positioning, which seem common with other Citations I've seen.
It is a fine enough typer, with a somewhat light touch. Interestingly, this is the only machine I have that still has a somewhat "soft" platen, which I would say is due to the case it has, which, like most ultra-portables, just snaps onto the body of the machine and covers the top half for transport. Hey, it works and keeps the bulk down.
The machine is an odd mustard-yellow which reeks of 70's, but still it does have a charm to it.
Funny thing about this machine is, I wouldn't use it until after I had gotten another machine months later - I still wasn't "into" collecting and using yet, I just bought it "for the heck of it" and once I got a ribbon in, well, I discovered quicky the charm of a portable and also the shortcomings of these mass=produced little gremlins from Japan (as I just decided to call it, it feels right to me.)
The machine does have something about it I just love, though - maybe it's the fact it's the only one I feel comfortable taking apart to the bare steel frame, or maybe it's just how it was one of the first for me.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Chris Eldridge (KurisuYamato)
Chris Eldridge's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 38
Oh, hello there!
I'm just a pretty normal guy with the not so normal hobby of vintage technology of all types. Normally I focus on video games and electronics, but ever since the purchase in 2016 of a Brother SX-4000 Electronic Typewriter for 10 dollars, I've slowly delved head-first into the world of Typewriters.
I have machines daring from the 1920's to the 1980's, in varying conditions - only one I would describe as in "not working" condition. I adore these machines for what they are, and the time they represent in human technology. Each machine carries with it a lifetime of history, even if we don't know the details on each machine we own.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Western Auto (Brother) Citation on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Western Auto (Brother) Serial Number page and the Western Auto (Brother) Citation By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
