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19XX Tops S-3 Serial # 021257 19XX Tops S-3 typewriter, Serial # 021257 James Gifford's 19XX Tops S-3 typewriter. 2017-03-19 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of James Gifford: 19XX Tops S-3 Serial # 021257 I drove for two hours to pick up a couple of typewriters (almost dying on the highway on the way; thank you, Canadian winter), this Tops S-3 and a Continental. The seller focused on the Continental, which is indeed lovely. I focused on the Tops because I'd never before heard of the manufacturer. It's a lovely, solid piece of Cold War-era history in almost perfect condition (just a few nicks in the paint), and it types beautifully. All I know about the manufacturer is from Wikipedia. The factory, in Savlje, Slovenia, opened in 1952. That's the extent of it. I look forward to researching this one further.

19XX Tops S-3 #021257

Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Gifford (giffer)
Created: 03-19-2017 at 01:18PM
Last Edit: 03-19-2017 at 02:07PM

Description Hunter 8 Photos 5 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

I drove for two hours to pick up a couple of typewriters (almost dying on the highway on the way; thank you, Canadian winter), this Tops S-3 and a Continental. The seller focused on the Continental, which is indeed lovely. I focused on the Tops because I'd never before heard of the manufacturer. It's a lovely, solid piece of Cold War-era history in almost perfect condition (just a few nicks in the paint), and it types beautifully. All I know about the manufacturer is from Wikipedia. The factory, in Savlje, Slovenia, opened in 1952. That's the extent of it. I look forward to researching this one further.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:


The typewriter came with a black-only ribbon, so I haven't been able to make the buttons do much, but I assume they're for ribbon-colour selection. I envision the red button alerting the Kremlin that someone is typing secret documents on this typewriter.
The typewriter came with a black-only ribbon, so I haven't been able to make the buttons do much, but I assume they're for ribbon-colour selection. I envision the red button alerting the Kremlin that someone is typing secret documents on this typewriter.




The plastic here, which doesn't show well in the photo, is amber in colour, almost the colour of nicotine.
The plastic here, which doesn't show well in the photo, is amber in colour, almost the colour of nicotine.


Ribbon selector? Love the push buttons.
Ribbon selector? Love the push buttons.

Hunter: James Gifford (giffer)

James Gifford's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2325

I am a writer and book editor as well as a collector of typewriters. It started with an Hermes 3000 desktop, which I stupidly sold last year, but now another sits on my desk for typing envelopes with a beautiful sans serif typeface. I type every day on different machines in my collection, which stands at about 60 at the moment. Favourites include my two 3000s, a 1930s Smith-Corona Silent, the Olivetti Studio 44 (red case), and a crinkle, chrome-encircled Royal Quiet Deluxe. I have also been finding very inexpensive Royal 10s of late; I currently own three, two from the 1910s and the other a later model, and another (1931) I sold to a friend at cost for his son, who appreciates vintage things. I am always on the lookout for new and interesting machines and often trade or sell to try new models. Living and working in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Tops S-3 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Tops Serial Number page and the Tops S-3 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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