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Like a giant, automated crustacean made of living metal alloy,
the menacing alien creature from the planet Typospheria-20
moves closer to the specimen- a hapless maiden named Mariken-
who is too shocked to do anything but to scream...
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Aaaaaaiiiiiieeeeee!!!
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I've had this Remington Portable model 1 model 2 (thanks, Adwoa!) for almost a year- I won it last summer on ebay for a reasonable price -but I still get giddy whenever I use it. Part of me finds it hard to believe that I'm actually typing on what looks like an enchanted machine.
Truth be told, I can stare at this typewriter for hours. From my optic, it's breathtakingly beautiful.
That said, I was convinced that this was the typewriter that had the cinematic qualities to be a co-star in my latest art film "Art in Typospheria." She's no villain this Remington Portable, she deservedly appears as the surreal protagonist... burnished in gold, no less.
* I failed to spot a serial number- perhaps there isn't one -but I would go by the in-depth description in Richard Polt's The Classic Typewriter Page and place a guesstimate at 1923-1925 1925-1928.
* The typewriter can no longer fit into the case and I don't want to force it. There are telltale skid marks of the platen knobs on the case interior; apparently, the previous owners did just that.
20 comments:
Very nice typewriter. I was always fascinated by this model in its design and the way the type bars seem to come alive as they extend above their rest when the machine is made ready to use.
Your photos are excellent! The last one especially.
Wonderful post...I had no idea the idea of a portable typewriter dated back that early. It's a beautiful machine.
I think that might be a Remington Portable No. 2 - you can tell by the curved guards around the typebars, which you have used to such stunning effect in your photos!
I have been on the lookout for one of these for a while; you are fortunate to have found one in such great condition, red Remington decal and all.
I am equally amazed by my Remington Portable 2. I tried to capture its fascination in a video, but I'm not sure if that worked out...
Problem of not fitting into the caae:
Might the carriage lock be a problem? See here, end of the typecast.
Regarding the serial number, try searching with a flashlight in the dark area where the keybars go into the front of the machine. Remingtons of that era sometimes hide their serial numbers in that forest of metal stalks under the keytops.
Appreciate all the comments, thanks!
@Adwoa, I've got to leave it to you for providing the correct i.d. for this typewriter; I didn't realize I had mislabelled this machine for nearly a year. Thanks a lot! I went by what was advertised by the seller and I thought I saw the curved bars in a photo Richard posted in his site. It's certainly was a great find for me and for a real good price.
@Florian, thanks for the links. I'll check them out.
@Ted, I did try that per Richard's suggestion in his site but I'll search again.
What a beautiful machine! I especially like the menacing photos at the beginning, although as you point out, your Remington is no villain!
What a beauty! I can see why you think it looks like a crustacean. Before I saw that it had two hooks, the first photo actually made me think of a scorpion--looks like a segmented body ending in a big old tail. EEEK! I actually found a scorpion in our house last year--we think we brought it back with us from the YMCA locker room.
What an unusual-looking typewriter! No wonder you are drawn to it. Seems to be in excellent condition, too.
I don't own one of these, but have seen several of them. I never until now noticed those curiously curved metal type-bar brackets on either side. Lovely job photographing that!
Great job presenting a classic machine!
Usually their serial number is evident in the left or right back corner, behind the carriage.
To close the case you need to lock the carriage, and you do so by pushing the right platen knob inwards. In order to do that, there is a lever on one end of the typewriter that needs to be pushed forward or back. Sorry I can't be more specific right now!
Great to read the new comments, thanks!
@Mek, I felt like a child at play shooting the menacing photos. Good to see you here, welcome!
@Richard, very much appreciate your suggestions. Those were the first places I searched for the serial number but didn't find any. I'll check again. I'll definitely attempt to lock the carriage as you describe, perhaps I will successful this time.
Thank you for this post! & great photos!
'tis the season for typewriter p*rn. Must be Spring! Mine's a tight fit too as all the cloth's worn off. The lid hinges need to be properly aligned and located too. This model's case is not up to the standards of later Remingtons.
Thanks, Georg, appreciate it!
I love it :)
I'm a huge fan of vintage stuff and I like typewriters like this a lot!! ;)
I'm gonna follow you now!
Greetings
Darleen
Thanks, Darleen, welcome!
Toda una joya de la tecnología!! de otra época!!
Claro, Daniel. Soy tan afortunado!
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