Author: gee

The Something else: Reliance Premier

I came across this Reliance Premier (my something else)…  a week before the Woodstock; and almost one week after the Woodstock the Premier arrives.  USPS slow but arrived in perfect shape.  When I did research on this typewriter I visited the Yahoo Typewriter Forum and found a post from 2004 entitled “Reliance Premier / typewriter desecration” about someone cutting off the keys… and selling them separate from the typewriter… I thought I could save this machine from such a fate.

My understanding is that only 12,000 of these machines were ever made.   Someone kept this one in great shape.

Saving a Reliance Premier... because I could...
Saving a Reliance Premier… because I could…

 

Learning Curve….

I tell myself its just metal.  When you think of what we do to frogs in high-school… what does it mean to open up a typewriter and poke around its insides?  To learn often brings with it mistakes… one of mine was with a Smith Corona Galaxie XII (Question Marks are over Rated)…  this machine worked great… the type was clear and no issues at all.  Then I had to see what the problem was.  The result my Blue SC bought the farm and became an organ donor and a lesson in how not to fix a question… that was better left unanswered.

Do no harm... how I fixed my 1975 Smith Corona Galaxie XII (not).
Do no harm… how I fixed my 1975 Smith Corona Galaxie XII (not).

Factory Rebuilt vs Orginal… Early Woodstock

Like a mutt…. a rebuilt typewriter can come from many parents.  Like a dog from the pound the mutt may have many advantages over the pure-breed.  I look at my rebuilt Woodstock and know it has had a long and productive life and been used a great deal.  My old Woodstock may have been repaired or well taken care of… but for the most part retains its “as bought” function and appearance.  After 96 years does it matter.

In the long run it does not.

A Woodstock as made in 1917 & 1917 Woodstock rebuilt.
A Woodstock as made in 1917 & 1917 Woodstock rebuilt.

Day two with the Royal 5

After 24 hours… it seemed important to recall how I felt when I first opened the box with this 100 year old machine in it.  To be honest the box seemed much too thin to hold a typewriter  and it was pushed in on top.  Turned out to have had lots of head room… with no cushioning underneath… but the machine looked serene and perfect.  I was amazed.

When I pressed the type bar nothing happened… when I pressed the key’s nothing… I put on a new ribbon… they did not turn… I was feeling very sad when I pressed a key again… nothing… then I got up to leave and the carriage moved a “flicker”… the rest is history.

Gerald

They just want to be used. The 1913 Royal 5 types better each day.
They just want to be used. The 1913 Royal 5 types better each day.

121 Posts late…the Royal 5 (1913)

I had my mind set on typing my 100th post on a century old typewriter.  It was not meant to be… but when I approached my 200th posts the thoughts ran through my head.

Then I saw a Royal 5 on Ebay.  The price was higher than I wanted to pay… but then I thought what if I offered what I was willing to pay for my 100th post (actually a little less) and wonders of wonders my offer was accepted.  It will be interesting to note the difference between this typed page and my 300th post after I’ve had time to clean things up a bit.

Best of all to all..

Gerald

Took a while but I have my Royal 5 flatbed... (1913)
Took a while but I have my Royal 5 flatbed… (1913)

Fan of the KMM Royal (1946)

Back in November I bought a KMM Royal for a super price.   As my knowledge and experience with various makes and models of typewriters grows… my appreciation of the quality of the KMM Royal grows as well.   Each time I come back to this machine I could kick myself for not being aware of just how good a machine this is.  It is true that sometimes… you can be looking at something of value and not notice it.  I’m glad I took a second look.

Gerald

Gets better every time I type on it.
Gets better every time I type on it.