198X Welco 200 de Luxe #80036639

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)
Created: 07-03-2019 at 09:07AM
Last Edit: 07-03-2019 at 01:16PM

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Description:

A good reason as any other to get yet another typewriter is bumping into a brand you've never ever seen before, right?

If it isn't there's no turning back, because this little devil is at home and in good company. I've managed to piece together several bits of information, so let's se... Welco Electronics was founded in 1971, and as one could expect its business was electronic components. I say "was" because apparently it's gone out of business around 2016, or that's what I think after reading some negative comments about the company. Or maybe they've relocated, I don't know for sure. Their involvement with typewriters follows the same pattern of many other companies around the world: in order to broaden their scope, they had their own line of typewriters manufactured in Japan. In this case Welco typeriters look suspiciously Silver Seiko-made, and after a little typing this theory gains consistency.

The Welco 200 de Luxe could be a Silver Reed SR 200 in a different livery. I'm going to put both of them side by side and look closely at the machinery so that I can tell for sure, but if it is the case then the Welco 200 de Luxe is quite a good typewriter. I've spent a long time with my SR 200 (an early specimen of my collection, number 14 of 205), and it may sound weird, but it's the fastest manual typewriter I have. I know, this sounds crazy but I've tested it chronometer in hand and that little devil can go faster than a Linea 98, a SG3, an Erika S (with spring loaded typebars) and needless to say way faster than similar sized typewriters. Short stroke + precise engineering + hard touch = speed. I wouldn't recommend subjecting the poor machine to that punishment for too long.

So... This is a good typewriter. If it really is what I think, it's a great option for those who want an inexpensive, competent and fairly quick typewriter. Maybe you have a majestic monster at home, but in case of typing emergency you can carry this around.

PS: the first part of the typeface sample looks horrid, and it's my fault. I realized too late the ribbon selector was in stencil.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

The return lever is a bit Silver Seiko, but the ribbon cover is super-duper Silver Seiko

Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 6476

The first typewriter I saw was my grandpa´s Olivetti Linea 98 at the office. It was just a curio for me. Then I was given a Nakajima, which I didn´t use and my grandfather took it from me because it was easier to handle than the bulky Linea 98. Now I own that typewriter, and I started a little collection in Valladolid, Spain. The Nakajima, which is "my" typewriter only returned home in 2017, almost 20 years later, when he wanted a better typewriter.

A collection that started small grew into something bigger, a nuisace for my family and a great source of satisfaction for me.