197X IBM Selectric Composer #5024800
Status: My Collection
Hunter: William Saxbe (wsaxbe)
Created: 01-16-2022 at 06:33PM
Last Edit: 01-16-2022 at 07:46PM
Description:
A handsome selectric Composer with the language dial on the left. I found it from a seller who didn't know what it was: it was advertised as a "vintage typewriter 2 wheels" Not surprising as there is no model information or nameplate beyond the IBM badges. Not visible, but it came with a Univers medium italic element.
Looks solid and cosmetically in great shape except for a cracked transport pulley (dang plastic) and a lot of that 'special' IBM blend of solidified grease and atomized foam soundproofing. It's too gummed up for me to test yet and needs a deep clean, but I slipped the belt off to test the motor and it ran strong.
Still need to get all the hardened crud out before I can really test it, and there may be other plastic pieces like the transport pulley that haven't survived that I haven't found yet.
A daunting but exciting project. More photographs forthcoming.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: William Saxbe (wsaxbe)
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RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the IBM Selectric Composer on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the IBM Serial Number page and the IBM Selectric Composer By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.