El Granero Typewriter Company<br /> https://typewriter.company/

They seems to specialize in Olivetti, Hermes, Olympia and Erika machines. They do a fair amount of repainting and chroming.

https://typewriter.company/collections/ribbons

https://www.tbwritersplus.com/product-page/remington-portable-lever-finger-pads

Tom Hanks Sends Vintage Typewriter and Personal Letter to Rolla Missouri Shop Owners (LISTEN) - Missourinet<br /> by [[Cameron Conner]]<br /> accessed on 2026-05-22T17:32:01

Rebecca Kuether Bealmear is r****8 on ShopGoodwill

Matching it with her statement on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1274589671526471/ saying that she bought the same machine at https://shopgoodwill.com/item/264079893

Via Derek De Weese at https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1274772944841477/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10162101309029678/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1275574621427976/

reply to u/deleted at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1te4u1i/state_of_the_typosphere/

Two or three typewriter repair shops have opened up in the past couple of years, though probably not enough to offset the retirements or deaths which include Tom Furrier (Cambridge Typewriter) and Duane Jensen (Phoenix Typewriter) respectively. Lucas Dul opened up a brick-and-mortar typewriter shop in Chicago.

Philly Typewriter and Bremerton Typewriter Company have started up typewriter repair schools/apprenticeships to expand on the trade.

Tom Hanks has continued donating typewriters to typewriter repair shops over the past few years, ostensibly to encourage the space as well as to slim down his own collection.

Richard Polt recently downsized his collection significantly. (His blog is generally a good source of the news of what's new in the past few years.)

Prices are up somewhat in general, but especially for Hermes 3000s, Olympias, Smith-Corona Silent Supers, and Olivetti Letteras even in poor condition.

Historical updates: https://typewriterdatabase.com/twdb.0.news-media

Type Pals has started up monthly meetups again: https://www.typepals.com/events

Lou Spirito designed a baseball scorecard for typewriters which was unveiled by Tom Hanks on March 29, 2025.

Qwertyfest seems to be going strong: https://www.qwertyfest.com/

Atlanta, Albuquerque, and Los Angeles have bee hosting type-ins a few times a year.

I've fleshed out some details and examples on typecasting for those interested in trying it out: https://indieweb.org/typecast

https://www.hanttula.com/typeworks/image-converter/

https://www.hanttula.com/typeworks/typewriter-anatomy/

Tom Hanks delivers autographed typewriter to Portland shop<br /> by [[Devon Haskins]]<br /> accessed on 2025-09-18T20:31:03h

Tom Hanks Typewriter Collection #329<br /> Corona Junior donated to Vale Typewriter in March 2023

Downers Grove 23-year-old repairs typewriters for a living<br /> by [[Stefano Esposito]] in Chicago Sun-Times<br /> accessed on 2026-05-22T11:04:25

Typewriter Doctor<br /> by [[By Kathleen Rooney]] in Chicago Magazine<br /> accessed on 2026-05-22T11:03:18

The Royal 10 QX (aka Quiet Model) (1921-1923) has a special mechanism in the segment which allows the slugs to hit the platen when struck, but pressing the keys slowly doesn't allow them to reach.

Via commentary by Brian Decker, Ted Muk, and James Grooms at https://typewriterdatabase.com/1927-royal-10.16643.typewriter

Thermal Typewriter Comparison<br /> by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

Ranked:<br /> 1. Sharp PA-1050<br /> 2. Brother EP-43<br /> 3. Brother EP-20 v 4. Casiowriter CW-10<br /> 5. Canon Typestar 4<br /> 6. Canon Typestar 5

Typewriter Video Series - Episode 207: Canon Typestar 5<br /> by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

Instruction manual shows use of the typewriter in someone's lap.

Doesn't have clean plastic at the top for ripping off pages cleanly.

The 5 is missing a few features that were found on the 4.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/721704878218903/posts/3096582727397761/

Maxim Suravegin has a fantastic little collection here.

reply to u/Novembree at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1hfncyz/had_a_typewriter_for_awhile_could_use_help/

Welcome to the Royal KMM club! Seems like lots of these have been posted in the last day including one by u/betternatured and another by u/the-other-gusta along with a very similar Royal KMG by u/Jacki-san.

The serial number puts yours down as a KMM with an 11 inch platen manufactured in 1945. Cross reference: https://typewriterdatabase.com/royal.72.typewriter-serial-number-database

Manual: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/RoyalKMM.pdf

These were really popular and ubiquitous, standard (large desktop) typewriters in the mid-century that were the workhorse of many offices. Because they were so common and so heavy, they only go for $5-25 in the used market in either unknown or marginal condition. If they're cleaned up and well-serviced they can go for more with a cap of around $300-400 depending on the level of restoration. Some with special features (like special typefaces) or provenance may go for more.

The Royal KMM was known to have been used by writers including: John Ashberry, Harry Ashmore, Russell Baker, Ray Bradbury, Richard Bratigan, Richard Brooks, Pearl S. Buck, Johnny Carson, Norman Corwin, Frank Herbert, Ken Kesey, G.W. Lee, Harper Lee, Ursula K. LeGuin, David McCullough, Margaret Mead, Grangland Rice, and Dorothy Parker. This was also the model famously used by Angela Landsbury's character on the TV show Murder, She Wrote.

Depending on your level of typewriter knowledge try out some of the following short films which will also provide some tips, tricks, and maintenance advice common in the era of your machine:

• Basic Typing: Methods. Vol. MN-1512a. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztyzGit1dTI
• Basic Typing: Machine Operation. Vol. MN-1512b. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-REJEArnjE
• Advanced Typing: Shortcuts. Vol. MN-1512c. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUJfCfqgsX0
• Advanced Typing: Duplicating and Manuscript. Vol. MN-1512d. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ve5JnTUzvo
• Maintenance Of Office Machines. Vol. MN-1513. United States Navy Training Film, 1943. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocdxgkxKAKo

Happy Typing!

reply to u/No-Rain-4114 and tk at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1ti2zu2/imperial_model_50_vs_royal_10_which_is_better/

You're likely to get more opinions than there are people who have actually used both and their opinions are going to vary wildly based on the conditions of the machines they've encountered. They're both solid machines, but generally also so old that you'd need two well-restored versions to get a serious apples to apples comparison. Even if you get 10 people with immaculate exemplars to weigh in, it's honestly not going to be helpful for determining which you ought to hunt for and purchase.

You're also going to find them with a very specific geographic distribution based on manufacturing and sales at the time. The Imperial bigger in the UK and Royal bigger in the US.

If you've got two to choose from, pick the one in the best condition and proceed from there. Otherwise choose based on aesthetics as all the other factors are so confounding as to mean little in making an informed choice here.

See also: https://boffosocko.com/2026/01/08/on-purchasing-typewriters-condition-is-king-context-is-queen/

Reply to u/Wooden-Lifeguard-636

Chris, which one do YOU prefer?

Like all serious typewriter collectors, I prefer both! 😜

Refurbished with a clean, oil, and adjust out of a typewriter repair shop, you really can't go wrong with either of these if this is the era and aesthetic you're after.

If OP gave us a ton of additional information on their context: Are they collecting? What sort of collection are they starting? Is this the one and only typewriter they're ever going to buy? Are they going to display it as decor? Use it (8 hours a day 365, once a day for a few hours, once a week, once a month)? Tinker on it to restore it themself? What's their budget? Where are they going to source it (shop, yard sale, estate sale, online auction untested)? Do they prefer the polished enamel or the crinkle paint? Are they a hunt-and-peck typist, a touch-typist, or even a speed champion? Etc., etc., etc.

With this, we might provide some semblance of advice, but honestly, even then, it's largely a coin toss. The ultimate choice will be biased and come down to the purchaser's gut reaction with a specific machine(s) in its condition in front of them to purchase.

And even then, after all this, it's worth considering the quote from Carroll Shelby in Ford v Ferrari (20th Century Fox, 2019) about the test driver at the end: "You drove it for less than an hour... ‘don’t know shit after an hour."

Repyy to u/bluestemgrass at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1thup7q/reink_ribbon/ RE: Ribbon for a toy Sears Holiday typewriter.

Before you go too deeply here, is the ribbon made of cloth material (nylon, silk, or cotton) or is it a plastic film/carbon type?

If it's the latter, is it a proprietary cartridge or typewriter spools? What width is the ribbon? Cartridges with carbon can be difficult if not impossible to find for these models.

It looks like it may be a Sears rebranded version of some of the Byron Jardine/PETITE toy typewriters. https://typewriterdatabase.com/no_info.525.typewriter-serial-number-database There may be an imprint of the manufacturer on the bottom which would help to identify the original manufacturer.

Most Petite typewriters use T4430 or T4431 ribbon (1/4" wide or 6.50mm) which can sometimes be found on eBay and other sites. It generally requires original spools. These were generally carbon/plastic based ribbon.

If you have the original spools, you might find someone who still manufactures carbon-based ribbon and you can cannibalize it to spool onto your Sears Holiday. Look around for some of the 80s/90s film-based cartridges meant for word processors.

If it did originally have cloth ribbon you might be able to re-ink it, but the process typically tends to be very messy. Generally some glycerine and ink meant for metal stamps (not rubber) will get you where you'd like to go. Some have also soaked their old ribbon in WD-40 as a means of rejuvenation, but this is also time consuming and messy.

More detail/photos of the manufacturing details on the bottom and photos and measurements of the spools and the original type of "ribbon" will help immensely.

If you get the chance, add your example to the typewriter database and include photos of the spools as well as measurements of their width and diameter to help others with these questions/problems in the future.

Smith Corona closes shop after nearly a century<br /> by [[Kelly Palmer]]<br /> accessed on 2026-05-16T13:06:28

Last typewriter manufacturer in the U.S. was Smith-Corona

2001-05-03

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1teai7i/typespace_in_portland_or_seems_to_be_passing_off/?sort=new

Typesapce reputation being chipped away at by AI slop accusations...

Congratulations and welcome to the club! Definitely the machine of a serious writer or novelist. These were the workhorses of newspapers and magazines through the 70s and 80s. In my mind, it's the last truly great manual typewriter ever manufactured.

Well known users of the Olympia SG3 included: Ingeborg Bachmann, Jimmy Breslin, Paddy Chayefsky, Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Michael Ende, Howard Fast, Jim Lehrer, Elmore Leonard, William E. Leuchtenburg, Terrence McNally, James Michener, Dudley Randall, and Wallace Stegner

Robert Redford used one in the movie ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN.

If you need a manual: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-manuals.html

Ribbon is still easily found: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-faq.html#q1

The Olympia SG3 uses 1/2" wide (12.7mm) typewriter ribbon, which has been standardized as DIN2103, in combination with the Group 1 spool, designated as DIN 32755. (Doesn't need eyelets.)

Other useful resources available at: https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/

reply to u/Prudent_Highway_1855 at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1tdy2eu/my_first_typewriter/

Via Ted Munk at https://typewriterdatabase.com/1969-sears-medalist-power-12.24661.typewriter

reply to u/Personman444 at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1tcuxxu/how_to_restore_case/

RE: 1950s Royal typewriter case

Typically these were fabric glued onto fiberglass, so you can do fairly well with soap and water with a scrub brush and then letting it air dry. This should help to remove the staining. You can use more aggressive cleaners as long as they don't dissolve the glue. I've used a Green Bissel wet vac on these with some reasonable success in the past.

0000 steel wool will often help clean off/clean up the metal parts, though you should test an inconspicuous part first. Following up with metal polish can give you some shine.

The handle is plastic and a gentle clean followed by a coat of car wax will do wonders.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/721704878218903/posts/3090322144690486/

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

James, thanks for the research and advertisements. Having just picked up one of these in lovely condition, I would generally agree with your assessment on the delineation of the two models: a "Report Electric" and a "Report de Luxe (SKE)".

Currently the TWdB has three different pages for what one might call the Olympia Report de Luxe (SKE) and which could be concatenated into a single model on one page:

1. "Olympia Report" https://typewriterdatabase.com/Olympia.Report.61.bmys with two exemplars from '75 and '78 which are explicitly badged as "Olympia Report de Luxe" on the hood

2. "Olympia Report deLuxe" https://typewriterdatabase.com/Olympia.Report+deLuxe.61.bmys which are all the badged the same, but somehow seem to have left the space between the "de" and "Luxe" out.

3. "Olympia SKE Report de Luxe" https://typewriterdatabase.com/Olympia.SKE+Report+de+Luxe.61.bmys which are all badged as "Report de Luxe" on the hood, but which include the SKE in the name because of the sticker on the side.

Personally, for ease of internet search most are likely to search for "Olympia Report de Luxe" though some may see the sticker near the power cord that reads "Typewriter Model SKE" (either on their physical machine or photos on eBay, Goodwill, etc.), so listing it in the database as "Olympia Report de Luxe (SKE)" may make the search most fruitful.

If the renaming of these three pages, which seem to be for a single model, does occur it would be useful to do a 403 redirect from the original pages to the final page so that the search engine optimization for these pages isn't lost. Adding a note to the model on the main Olympia page will help to clear up the details for future typewriter hunters as well.

Reply to https://typewriterdatabase.com/1973-olympia-report-electric.27118.typewriter

If we're going to do history, let's get it right. The Royal HH and REs offered color in the '52-54 range, but they were the exception rather than the rule. These are very difficult to find now. The Quiet De Luxes didn't get color until into 1956 and continued until 1958 when they were replaced by the (also) colorful Royal Futuras.

There were pockets of the late 20s and early 30s when Royal and Underwood among others experimented with color on portables as well, but these tended to be more basic reds, blues, and greens. The Corona 4s models were finished in DuPont DUCO® from 1927 to 1939. In a similar time period the Royal P also came in a small variety of colors.

https://americanwritersmuseum.org/<br /> American Writers Museum<br /> Chicago, IL

The Royal KHM (1938)<br /> by [[Erik Bruchez]]<br /> accessed on 2026-05-13T21:06:46

Eric Bruchez<br /> http://blog.bruchez.name/categories/typewriters/

Restoring a Yost 20 Typewriter<br /> by [[Erik Bruchez]]<br /> accessed on 2026-05-13T20:59:04

Erik Bruchez describes how he used shellac and denatured alcohol to re-shellac his Yost 20 followed up with 600 grit sandpaper to smooth things back out as necessary.

via Tyler Alan Macek at https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1255908216727950/

A black light is potentially better, but a bright light should work too.

via Leighton Jeffy at https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1255908216727950/

Sounds roughly similar to

via Luke Fuji at https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1255908216727950/

https://discord.com/channels/639936208734126107/639938269030907914/1302694827682697330

Pelicram's Shellac Rescue Formula aka The Cowboy's Delight.

This will help bring back a deeper black color shellaced panels which have been yellowed and damaged by UV over the years. With enough elbow grease it will remove the old shellac completely but it takes a very long time and you're likely to damage any decals present on the panel. In most cases the procedure described below will be sufficient to restore the appearance to an acceptable level.

The recipe: - 70% Light machine oil. - 30% IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) or White/Mineral Spirits.

Ideally use an oil that is dissolved into the IPA/Mineral Spirits, if they settle into separate layers make sure you shake the mixture thoroughly before applying.

Mix the oil and solvent in something like a dropper bottle or similar vessel for convenient application.

• Clean part with Fulgentin (Or general purpose cleaner of your choice) and wipe dry.
• Apply oil/ipa mix to part and rub in lightly with clean microfiber cloth or shop towel. Use plenty of the mix, it should not feel dry.
• Wipe with microfiber cloth after 15 minutes to get rid of any excess.
• Do not apply any kind of wax (like Renessaince Wax) afterwards, from my testing it will bring back the haziness.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1267717735546998

Tap Tap Art<br /> https://taptapart.com/about.html

comment via Joe Eisaman at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163611818554678/

in relation to a table of dimensions 32 x17 x28".

Mitch Fixit has some repair chops, so this is believe-able: Some of the colored platens were meant to have different harnesses for doing stencils.

via https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163612704804678/

Via Brenton Beck at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163613494799678/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4770669677/user/1183632210/

Janet Schwartz's boyfriend.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163613988099678/

It turns out our friend Tom has been scoring games with a typewriter since at least 2013!

Keeping score at a baseball game with a typewriter is not only possible but is also a much more detailed record of the match. (ORTEGA. Full count! Fouled back three in a row ... OH, THAT BALL’S LANDIN’ WHERE THE FANS ARE STANDIN’!!! Walk. Off. Home. Run. Thanks for your attendance and drive safely.) —Tom Hanks in "I Am TOM. I Like to TYPE. Hear That?" on Aug. 3, 2013 in the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/opinion/sunday/i-am-tom-i-like-to-type-hear-that.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

cc: u/lou_spirito<br /> u/Informal-Writer-1140<br /> u/oogieball<br /> u/joe_skidiachi_irl

Other examples of his scoring efforts: - https://www.reddit.com/r/BaseballScorecards/comments/1jn2475/yes_tom_hanks_does_schlep_a_typewriter_to_ball/ - https://www.reddit.com/r/BaseballScorecards/comments/1jm0l8k/tom_hanks_keeps_score/ - https://www.reddit.com/r/BaseballScorecards/comments/1jm4pie/tom_hanks_scorecard/

Posted at https://reddit.com/r/BaseballScorecards/comments/1tb7fbw/tom_hanks_scoring_baseball_games_via_typewriter/

Hanks, Tom. 2013. “I Am TOM. I Like to TYPE. Hear That?” The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/opinion/sunday/i-am-tom-i-like-to-type-hear-that.html (May 12, 2026).

Tom Hanks outlines three reasons to use a typewriter:<br /> 1. sound<br /> 2. sheer physical pleasure of typing<br /> 3. permanence of words

Tom Hanks was using typewriters to score baseball games since at least 2013!

reply to u/LillieLogang at https://reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1tacody/light_touch_jcpenney/

Before you go too deeply here, is the ribbon made of cloth material (nylon, silk, or cotton) or is it a plastic film/carbon type? And if the latter, is it a proprietary cartridge or typewriter spools? Cartridges with carbon can be difficult if not impossible to find.

There's only one Penny's toy typewriter in the database currently which may give you some idea: https://typewriterdatabase.com/1970-jc-penney-j6772-toy-typewriter.11484.typewriter I don't see these pop up often, but there is a related one listed on SGW right now: https://shopgoodwill.com/item/263548866 which may have some unused "ribbon" you might cannibalize if necessary.

It looks like it may have been a rebranded version of some of the PETITE toy typewriters. https://typewriterdatabase.com/no_info.525.typewriter-serial-number-database

Many of these toys are difficult to adjust or fix (if at all), but they tend to be very simple in terms of the mechanics, so you might be able to puzzle out what isn't working and why by looking at it with the hood removed.

https://www.freesound.org/

https://www.usbtypewriter.com/

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/qwerkytoys/the-qwerkywriter-typewriter-inspired-mechanical-ke

What Makes the Hanx Writer Click?<br /> by [[Silvia Killingsworth]] in The New Yorker<br /> accessed on 2026-05-11T14:49:13

Olympia Electric Typewriter - May 17 2008.wav<br /> by [[lonemonk]] on Freesound<br /> accessed on 2026-05-11T14:04:41

The Quiet Cult of the Olympia Report deLuxe Electric Typewriter<br /> by [[Wilson Rothman]] and [[Steven Levy]]<br /> accessed on 2026-05-11T13:13:15

Oral history questions for Richard Polt on typewriter collecting:

Over the years Joe Van Cleave has done a handful of videos on selectivity and downsizing of one's typewriter collection including: <br /> - The Minimal Complete Typewriter Collection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ej6kd1FsnE <br /> - Culling the Herd https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_ueHE3Whjk <br /> - Downsizing Your Typewriter Collection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eic4lNE0l3Y

And Sarah Everett has one "what's your deserted island typewriter?" (if I had to pick 5 typewriters....) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFqJa9kD-v0

All this to ask Richard: what your downsizing experience has been? What were the criteria by which you chose what to keep? Did you more closely focus your collection into an area, era, style, other? Are you primarily keeping the things you tend to use more frequently? Things in better condition? You started out with how many to end up with how many? If you could start your collecting over from scratch what would you change? Are there things you wouldn't get the second time around? Things you would have spent more time focusing on? What will you continue to collect and at what rate? Naturally, collecting is a very personal thing with respect to individual's specific tastes and experiences (and frequently space!), but I suspect answers to some of these may help others, especially those who are just starting into collecting, or who have a dozen or two machines but who might find value on where and how to potentially focus their efforts. It may also help other collectors and their families who are dealing with appropriately disposing of significant collections, especially in cases where a deceased collector was very passionate and the family just wants to be rid of them quickly (i.e. ideas like Swedish death cleaning and related).

I'm sure reflections on these would be an interesting typecast, but if it's easier to do something like an oral history interview, I'm happy to collect these and a few dozen more questions into an interview format if you've got 30-60 minutes in the coming months to devote to a remote audio/video interviews/mini-podcast or YouTube episode or something similar?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163593836864678/

If typists were Robots

Resemblance to disaster girl?

Lego Typewriters<br /> by [[Herman Price]]<br /> accessed on 2026-05-09T17:29:08

A fake Lego fake typewriter?<br /> by [[Richard Polt]] on The Typewriter Revolution blog<br /> accessed on 2026-05-09T17:27:34

The ROKR wooden typewriter: a closer look<br /> by [[Richard Polt]] in The Typewriter Revolution blog<br /> accessed on 2026-05-09T17:04:35

Richard Polt reports that the ROKR typewriter can actually be used to type, making it one of the very few currently manufactured typewriters on the planet.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/721704878218903/posts/3085605411828826

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163594865434678/

Green 1958 Olympia SM3 with custom math keyboard:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/705152958470148/posts/1264728369179268/

Custom gothic typeface on a Royal 10 made for supply/hardware settings. Uppercase is primarily fractions and abbreviations including: Dz, Gr, Bx, Bl, lb, In, Ft, Pr, Cs, Pc, Yd, and GL.

Fractions include odd numbers for the halfs, thirds, fourths, sixths, eighths, twelfths, and sixteenths,

The Mystery of Patrick Moore's Woodstock Typewriter<br /> by [[Robert Messenger]] for oz.Typewriter<br /> accessed on 2026-05-08T13:19:49

https://typewriterdatabase.com/1914-woodstock-4.20964.typewriter

The Woodstock No. 4 had a custom typewriter eraser holder mounted on top of the typewriter.

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1t3oa53/comment/okiit1g/

https://www.davidrhartman.com/typewriter

via u/lm913 at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1t666wu/typewriter_adjacent/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4770669677/posts/10161712887224678

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJtHauPh529WvapM_hd695BGBUHj_YuA1

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1t5siue/i_want_to_use_my_typewriter_more_any_ideas/?sort=new

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.

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 4 Episode 21<br /> Ventriloquist's Dummy & Running Trophy <br /> and a Corona 3 typewriter

There are some hints about how to recreate the gold leaf lettering on vintage typewriters here.

https://mrmrsvintagetypewriters.com/en-us/pages/about-us

https://mrmrsvintagetypewriters.com/

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

https://www.georgeblackmanvintagetypewriters.co.uk/

https://discord.com/channels/639936208734126107/639938269030907914/1246180147791532196

Typewriter Report Card v1.8 via Pelicram

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1o77cpz/made_my_own_service_booklet/

https://www.facebook.com/Breogan51/posts/pfbid02KK2N5eB2iBtsJuCfkbS9buv57HYdax8fxemtHjDgLLd3vb9Pc49QocwVAw2emEaql

https://www.acmetypemachines.com/restoration-process<br /> archive copy

a reasonably nice list of typewriter adjustments for a restored machine

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/posts/10163573521899678/

<br /> Photo of instructions and ideas for a community typewriter.

Hunter S.Thompson's Smith-Corona Series 5 Portable Typewriter<br /> by [[Robert Messenger]] oz.Typewriter <br /> accessed on 2026-05-03T11:59:08

Welcome to the typewriter club, and congratulations on your Royal HH.

Preceded by the Royal KMM and the Royal KMG, the Royal HH was manufactured from 1952 to 1957 when it was replaced by the Royal FP, though it continued to sell well, even on the used market with newspaper advertising until the early 1980s.

Here's a copy of the original manual from 1952: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/royalhh.pdf

The Royal HH was offered in Charcoal Grey smooth, Nile Green smooth, Horizon Blue smooth, Coral Rose, Gray Frieze, Royaltone Dark Gray wrinkle, Royaltone Light Gray wrinkle but far and away, the standard brown with green plastic keys was the most ubiquitous.

Well known users of the Royal HH typewriter included: William F. Buckley, Jr., Charles Bukowski, George Burns, Herb Caen, Truman Capote, Bruce Catton, Patty Chayefsky, Don DeLillo, Alice Denham, James T. Farrell, Paul Fussell, Hugh Hefner, Elia Kazan, Sterling North, Robert B. Parker, Sylvia Plath, Mario Puzo, Robert Penn Warren, Eudora Welty, and William Zinsser. You can find photos of most of these writers with their machines at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/typers.html.

The Royal HH has appeared in movies including:

• All the President's Men (Warner Bros., 1976)
• Fletch (Universal Pictures, 1985)

These typewriters were especially appreciated by journalists:

Newsroom at The Masters featuring dozens of Royal HH typewriters.

Spools and Ribbon:<br /> The spools for the standard Royal typewriters (Ten, H, KH, KHM, KMM, KMG, RP, HH, FP, Empress, 440, 660, etc.) have a custom metal mechanism for their auto-reverse. The spools are known as the T1 (which is the same as General Ribbon part # T1-77B , T1-77BR, and Nu-Kote B64.) If winding on universal ribbon onto them, remove the eyelette which isn't needed and may interfere with the auto reverse.

If you're missing the original spools, Ribbons Unlimited carries them: https://www.ribbonsunlimited.com/6N064-Royal-Standard-Electric-Ribbon-64-p/6n064.htm or you might source an original metal pair from a local repair shop.

Duane of Phoenix Typewriter has a video about how to change and spool up your Royal standard.

Collector Sarah Everett can show you most of the functions on her YouTube Channel for Just My Typewriter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Zvc1m-8aI.

Some additional history can be found here: https://oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2012/11/on-this-day-in-typewriter-history_9.html.

For additional resources on typewriters, collecting, repairing, and using them see: https://boffosocko.com/research/typewriter-collection/.

Happy typing!

Reply to u/MertwithYert at https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1swf5pn/ive_got_two_type_writers_id_greatly_appreciate/

https://www.forestmeadowsfh.com/obituaries/Verlon-H-Pridgen?obId=42124630

TOUR AN OLD TYPEWRITER SHOP<br /> by Vintage & Vinyl

McDavid Typewriter Service (1968-2024) Address: 4304 Plymouth St, Jacksonville, FL 32205 <br /> Phone: (904) 384-3461

Run by Verlon H. "Bill" Pridgen

His family closed the shop on 2024-11-19 following his death in October 2024. (Reference: https://www.facebook.com/Mcdavidtypewriterservice/posts/pfbid0PvC9MTeJ1pGVRCQZJ38DdDCeRHo52zBmQXXrsBHd9NVb4Dvv9QhrNpta8LxXRk9dl)

Verlon H. Pridgen (February 1, 1937 - October 28, 2024) <br /> Obituary: https://www.forestmeadowsfh.com/obituaries/Verlon-H-Pridgen?obId=42124630

https://www.facebook.com/Mcdavidtypewriterservice/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/721704878218903/posts/3078967149159319/

TB Writers Plus sells new plastic handles for Royal Futura 800 and related cases for $35.00 as of 2026-05-02.