In the final weeks of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Tom Hanks gifts Stephen Colbert with a box of computer paper and an Underwood Ace typewriter (circa 1955-57).

https://youtu.be/DgYXYh-4uuc?si=2qFE639k6CQVmPYO&t=1236

reply to https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10161712887224678/

to Steve Clancy Zach Hubbird Jean Brunet

I'm curious what the sourcing is on your differentiation of the two models? Are there manuals, advertising, or other details to back up the differences? From what I can see, the phrase "Rhythm Touch" seems to have been an advertising tag for the Underwood SS which started a few months after production of the SS began and there wasn't any difference in them other than the advertising tag.

Robert Messenger has some scant history on the machine and the differences, primarily due to a redesign at the time, at https://oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2012/11/on-this-day-in-typewriter-history_25.html. The primary change from the S to the SS seems to have been a move from a carriage shift to a basket shift and so it seems somewhat fitting that Underwood uses the phrase "Rhythm Touch" as an advertising gimmick much like Smith-Corona were doing with their "Floating Shift" marketing.

Generally standards at the time were not differentiated by different trim lines as standards had all the bells and whistles for office use (potentially aside from custom use cases like decimal tabulators or extra wide carriage). Meanwhile all the trim variations were generally seen in the portable market geared toward home use rather than office. This would seem to support the idea that there's only the SS and "Rhythm Touch" is only an advertising tag line as the SS was newly introduced in January of '46 and "Rhythm Touch" appears around July '46.

There's also some discussion on the TWdB in the commentary at https://typewriterdatabase.com/1950-underwood-ss.23202.typewriter which may add to the question.

I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts on the idea/thesis that the only model is the Underwood SS which is being marketed as the "Rhythm Touch" or evidence to the contrary to refute the claim.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10161712887224678/

None of the discussion here seems definitive for differentiating the "two models".

1940s advertisement with Underwood Standard that uses the phrase "Rhythm Touch", but which features a short armed carriage return lever.

On This Day in Typewriter History: Underwood and the Emperor’s New Old Clothes<br /> by [[Robert Messenger]] for Oz Typewriter Blog<br /> accessed on 2026-05-06T12:33:38

https://oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2012/11/on-this-day-in-typewriter-history_25.html

via Robert Messenger at https://oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2012/11/on-this-day-in-typewriter-history_25.html

Differentiating between an Underwood SS and the Underwood Rhythm Touch:

comment to James Grooms at https://typewriterdatabase.com/show.23202.typewriter

James, perhaps it's hiding somewhere else in the comments on the database, but I'm curious if you've come across definitive differences between the Underwood SS and the Underwood Rhythm Touch models which have separate pages within the database:<br /> - SS https://typewriterdatabase.com/Underwood.SS.4.bmys - Rhythm Touch https://typewriterdatabase.com/Underwood.Rhythm+Touch.4.bmys

Most of my Google searches don't return anything definitive or with actual sourcing of any sort.

The main page has the SS starting in May 1946 and the Rhythm Touch beginning in July of that year, but doesn't seem to specify between the two in any substantive way. Neither of the two models seems to have had a name printed on it.

Your description here uses both designators, but knowing your penchant for newspaper and magazine advertisements, I would suspect you may have seen specific differentiators.

This Facebook post has some handwaving differentiators: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10161712887224678/ but none seem definitive or sourced. It also uses the phrase carriage shift, though presumably with these models Underwood had moved to a segment/basket shift on their standards.

Other than the chrome side detailing moving from 3 strips to 5 as you've noted, one of the few differentiators I can see in this era is the shift from the shorter carriage return lever to the longer armed version around 1948 which Robert Messenger notes in https://oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2012/11/on-this-day-in-typewriter-history_25.html. However that same page also has an advertisement on it with the words Rhythm Touch featuring a short armed (older style) carriage return.

Is there really a difference between the SS and the Rhythm Touch or are they the same model with the phrase "Rhythm Touch" used as a marketing tag to compete potentially with Smith-Corona's "Floating Shift"?

Thanks!

For differentiating between the early and later model Underwood SS pre-1948 and after.

via James Grooms at https://typewriterdatabase.com/1950-underwood-ss.23202.typewriter

via Erik Bruchez at https://typewriterdatabase.com/1949-underwood-rhythm-touch.10882.typewriter

The Repair Shop, Season 3, Episode 11<br /> Meissen Clock, Typewriter & Bomber Jacket

David Kearby (aka D****2 on SGW) purchased this Underwood https://shopgoodwill.com/item/258398206

via https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1229591519359620/

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1cffdj8/the_typewriters_of_ripley/

see also, with little to add: https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1s471gq/typewriter_personality_key_to_a_mystery/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1221727063479399/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10161611646934678/

1950 Underwood Rhythm Touch with Victoria Elite typeface, 12 CPI, Slugs marked "EV".

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1rfkptq/morgan_freeman_talking_about_his_typewriter_in/

THE MAGIC OF BELLE ISLE (Magnolia Pictures, 2012) features an Underwood standard at about the 31 minute mark.

Morgan Freeman says: "Look at that machine. I like that you have to write a bit slower on a manual. Like the way it sounds. I like the way that the letters bite into the paper. I like that you can feel there's a genuine human being, doing the work."<br /> (doublecheck the exact quote)

Known historical users of the Underwood SS:<br /> - A. R. Ammons<br /> - Stephen King<br /> - Farley Mowat<br /> - Charles Portis<br /> - Helen Thomas

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163172812579678/

Underwood 5 appears in S3 E12 of Rizzoli & Isles

reply to u/aleahey at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1qjzgtq/remington_postal_telegraph_mill/

On the paper guide, it definitely looks like a bend it back into shape issue.

While your model is obviously decaled as "Postal Telegraph", it's not a traditional mill machine as those are generally marked by having no lower case characters and having uppercase only. Sometimes it was uppercase with some "filler character" (often a + on Remingtons, a ~ on Underwoods, and a double dot on Olivettis) or uppercase on both the top and bottom of the slug. Generally the zero character had a slash through it to distinguish it specifically from the letter "O".

There are only two other exemplars on the typewriter database, so please be sure to upload your photos and data when you get a chance. https://typewriterdatabase.com/Remington.10+Postal+Telegraph.42.bmys You'll notice that one of the examplars by u/jbhusker doesn't appear to be a traditional mill while the other is. Perhaps James has some unwritten research on his Remington Postal Telegraph?

If you sift through the typewriter database you'll find other examples and research (especially if you're looking at commentary under individual examples while you're logged in). As an example of mills from Underwood in their Western Union Special: https://typewriterdatabase.com/Underwood.Western+Union+Special.4.bmys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLw5Icbli54

disassembly of the Underwood 5

https://typewriterdatabase.com/1912-underwood-western-union-special.3619.typewriter

https://typewriterdatabase.com/1912-underwood-western-union-special.3619.typewriter

Backspace does not erase: What are front left foot numbers on an Underwood 5 ?<br /> by [[RobertG]]<br /> accessed on 2026-01-17T19:25:41

https://typewriterdatabase.com/1973-montgomery-ward-olivetti-escort-66.1649.typewriter

https://www.theriaults.com/events/listing/14714/shirley-temples-personal-childhood-typewriter-with-inscription

Old book typewriter Underwood Elliott-Fisher (1930), how to type on books, and why (video N°103)<br /> by [[Old Typewriters and Calculators]] on YouTube<br /> accessed on 2025-11-09T09:32:48

https://mrmrsvintagetypewriters.com/collections/typewriter-accessories-parts/products/one-spool-nut-olivetti-typewriter-lettera-22-32-44-studio-45-dora-dl-underwood-315-screw-holder

Ron's Typewriter - YouTube<br /> by [[Parks and Recreation]] <br /> accessed on 2025-10-06T22:09:41

Top 10 Worst typewriters<br /> by [[Walid Saad]]<br /> accessed on 2025-09-18T23:49:39

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1061582306160543/

reply to u/Impossible-Dance7442 at tk

Looks like a portable 4 bank B model Underwood from 1926 (see also: https://typewriterdatabase.com/underwood.4.typewriter-serial-number-database).

Appears to be in reasonable cosmetic condition with good decals, but the internal condition is going to be the biggest determinant of value. In unknown condition they sell regularly for $20-50 in online auctions, but cleaned, oiled, and adjusted from a professional repair shop they might go as high as $400, or perhaps $550 if you've had the rubber on the platen re-covered. Thinking that fair market for this in even the most pristine condition is $800 is pure folly unless it was used by someone famous. (The lack of interest from antique shops is a solid indicator here.) It assuredly is not going to make you rich, unless you bought the house from a famous author.

You might find some useful advice from some of the articles at: https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/#Typewriter%20Market They're written with first time buyers in mind, but you could also view them from the first time seller perspective.

A local repair shop might give you a few bones for it and give it a new life: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-repair.html

You could also donate it to a local thrift shop.

Your best bet for time and money invested though, is to gift it to a kid or teenager you know who's interested in writing, perhaps as a birthday present along with a copy of either: (1) Polt, R. The Typewriter Revolution: A Typist’s Companion for the 21st Century, 1st ed.; Countryman Press: Woodstock, VT, 2015. (2) Flint, W. D. The Distraction-Free First Draft; One Idea Press, 2023.

Good luck with it.

Alternate version of this with heirloom push is also at: https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1mbf185/comment/n5mdydi/

https://www.reddit.com/r/TypewriterRepair/comments/1m126k6/i_fcked_up/

US Navy Underwood Universal<br /> by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

Typewriter Video Series - Episode 189: Underwood SX by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

Joe mentions, again, how standards fill up your field of view and aid in cutting out distractions so you can focus more while writing.

At the end Joe talks about the hobby of repairing typewriters.

Underwood Touchmaster 5 Typewriter Tabulator Decelerator Demo Operation by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

https://typecast.munk.org/2016/06/15/stephen-colberts-typewriter-alton-brown/

What Did The Late Show Get Trump For His 70th Birthday? by Stephen Colbert

This office set up for Stephen Colbert includes a black Underwood portable typewriter in a black case in the background.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7028076

via https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ke4xfw/3d_printed_underwood_standard_portable_4bank/

For those who have an Underwood 5 typewriter as featured in the movie Finding Forrester (Columbia Pictures, 2000), it bears saying that Forrester (Sean Connery) would admonish you to:

Punch the keys, for God's sake!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181536/quotes

In this quote from Finding Forrester (Columbia Pictures, 2000) Forrester (portrayed by Sean Connery) turns the idea that writing is thinking on its head.

https://www.printables.com/model/1277687-underwood-portable-4-bank-typewriter-replacement-f

Found via https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1k8lh2v/i_designed_a_3dprintable_replacement_spool_cap/

https://www.printables.com/model/1277700-underwood-portable-typewriter-ribbon-spool-cap-thi

Found via https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1k8lh2v/i_designed_a_3dprintable_replacement_spool_cap/

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1k3jhx1/storage_hunter_simulator_overwood/

"Overwood" typewriter in Storage Hunter Simulator. (An obvious take on an Underwood typewriter, specifically an Underwood Champion.)

via https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1jgg4kh/royal_kmm_extra_column_of_keys/miyumvn/

On This Day in Typewriter History: Royal’s HH - 'The Greatest New Typewriter of All Time' by [[Robert Messenger]]

ELEMENTARY TYPING <br /> via Periscope Film #15494

Elementary Typing. 16 mm, Instructional film. Periscope Film, #15494, 1971. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cdyoPu_ASw.<br /> running time: 00:12:06

Produced by Moreland-Latchford Productions, Ltd this informational film from 1971 titled “Elementary Typing” teaches the basics of becoming a good typist. The film features a manual Typemaster, a trade name used by Underwood as far back as the 1930s. This version of the machine featured both red and black ribbons. An electric version is seen at 9:00.

The film is broken down into different sections that focus on different elements of typing from the rhythmic beat of typing to optimal hand positioning as well as how to set up a typewriter. “Elementary Typing” is part of a larger film series related to the art of typing with other titles including “Posture and the Keyboard,” “First Step Typing,” “Machine Techniques,” and “Remedial Typing.” Advisors for the creation of the film include James Treliving Commercial Coordinator North York Board of Education, J.T. Albani East York Board of Education, Sheila Wright Etobicoke Board of Education, and Ronald Thelander Director of Audio-Visual Aids Metropolitan Separate School Board, Toronto. In addition, the film was directed by Rod Maxwell and written by Robert Browning and featured Alex Veltman as the cameraman, Carl Connell as editor, Joe Hayward as production head, and James McCormick as executive producer.

Pink illustrated typewriter on navy blue background (0:09). Outline of topics covered (0:17). A: early rhythm and reading – metronome and hands typing in the background (0:22). Aerial view of hands typing on an 197X Underwood Typemaster model typewriter (0:42). Camera pans words typed on a page (1:27). Close-up of letters being printed onto a page (1:36). Woman sitting at desk typing quickly (2:24). B: Paper Insertion – close-up of typewriter and hand setting the paper guide at the correct place on the paper table (2:35). Explanation of correct form and technique for holding and inserting paper (2:58-4:23). Explanation of paper removal (4:26). Badminton player returning various shots (4:41). Close-up of hands on the typewriter emphasizing the art of positioning (5:07). C: The Shift – explanation of the shift key (5:15-6:30). D: The Carriage Return – close-up of the device (6:32). The woman types and uses the carriage return (6:46-9:00). The Electric Typewriter – comparison between 197X Underwood Type Master manual model and Underwood 765 Type Master electric model typewriter (9:04). Difference between typing strategies (10:03). Benefits of using an electric machine (10:20). Closing credits (11:35).

The 'Crypto' Underwood Typewriter by [[Robert Messenger]]

https://discord.com/channels/639936208734126107/639939010541649951/1289005546695037060

A stylized U with a slightly overstruck and raised E indicates the Underwood Elite (UT 5*) 1/12" (6,6mm) typeface.

Typewriter Ribbon varieties Offered by Underwood in 1956<br /> https://munk.org/typecast/2020/08/23/typewriter-ribbon-varieties-offered-by-underwood-in-1956/

"I'm always trying to get back to the 20s a little bit." <br /> —John Dickerson, in Field Notes interview (2016) https://vimeo.com/169725470

Dickerson says he's got two screens on the computer in his office as well as an ipad and a phone. But he's also got a "notebook does only one thing". He's also got an old black lacquer Underwood (No. 4, 5, or 6?) on his office desk still.

Wonder if he uses it?

Advanced Typing: Duplicating and Manuscript. Vol. MN-1512d, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ve5JnTUzvo.

Stencils

Before writing stencils, be sure to clean your type. (Don't use liquid solvent.)

Be sure to place the cushion sheet properly behind the stencil.

Place the paper bail rollers at the extreme left and right of the stencil to prevent them from marking the master.

For errors, rub individual characters separately with a burnisher using a circular motion.

Hectograph masters, Hectograph ribbon (ditto ribbon)

Wax pencils

Typefaces

20% more type on a page with elite than 10 inch pica.

Pica allows approximately 26-40 lines on standard letterhead giving 300-450 words to a page.

Special characters: - o for degrees ' and " for feet and inches or minutes and seconds along with superscript - division: - backspace colon - pound sterling: L backspace f - exclamation point: period backspace ' - equal sign: hyphen backspace variable hyphen - paragraph mark: P backspace I

proofreaders' marks<br /> # followed by a number is used to mean insert that number of spaces

Centering timestamp 19:37

Argumente für die Verbindung von ecological economics, Dekolonisierung, degrowth, notwendiger ökologischer Transformation und Bioregionalismus. Der verbindende Faktor ist das Wachstum der Wirtschaft in den High Income Countries durch Ausbeutung von global verteilten ökologischen Ressourcen.

https://oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-giger-underwood.html

https://typewriterdatabase.com/19xx-olivetti-eton.23086.typewriter

Sounds right, but double check https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1e8r1vi/olivetti_dora/

https://typosphere.blogspot.com/2016/10/lady-gaga-is-interviewed-with-her.html

2024-03-01<br /> $67.99 sale<br /> https://shopgoodwill.com/item/192324052

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155257403398

An Underwood & Underwood cabinet for storing stereoview (or stereograph) photos. Could potentially repurposed as a zettelkasten cabinet as the slip sizes should generally be compatible.

Typewriter Cleaning and Repair Basics #3 Bell Fixed

Keep in mind that some typewriters don't have hard mechanical margin stops, but rely on the user to hear the bell to know the margin is approaching and return the line manually.

Bell hammer mechanisms may simply need to be cleaned to get them into functioning order. Dirt and grime may prevent the hammer mechanism from having enough force to strike the bell. Beyond this replacing the spring may be necessary.