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Imperial good companion serial number11/21/2022 ![]() The previous Studio 44 had been in continuous production for some fifteen years when the all-new Studio 45 took its place - only to be replaced by an updated version (the Studio 46) in 1972. After a 'toe in the water' using a new method of construction with the Lettera 32 portable in 1964, and then going on to change the full-size office manual, in 1968 it was the turn of the large portable to receive a make-over. The Italian manufacturer Olivetti were always about style as well as engineering, and as I explained in the January 2021 edition of 'Typewriter of the Month', they completely changed their approach to making typewriters in the 1960's. The machine still had a reasonable line of writing - not bad for 94 years old - and went back to a delighted customer fully capable of typing a letter once more ! Rather than list everything in detail that I did to the machine, really the photos speak for themselves. Therefore I was unable to get the 'piano finish' that I always strive for. Of course, the varnish yellows over time, and cannot be removed without affecting the original enamel underneath and destroying the decals. Something which had happened to this machine in the past, and that I have seen before, it that at one point it was prepared for resale by a typewriter dealer who varnished all the black enamel to 'gloss it up a bit'. Thank goodness the metal surround had survived, although bent. As it was, one of the glass side panels had been broken and a new one needed to be made. Had the machine had a rubber platen which would have needed replacing, the customers bill would have been much higher. Fortunately, it has been fitted with a cork platen and feedrolls, probably from new. Someone had put a heavy weight on top of the machine and bent the paper table in the middle. The draw band had rotted and broken in two, someone has pulled the ribbon out and left it, there was rust everywhere. In fact, cement and bits of tarmac fell out of the machine as I examined it for the first time. Like many 'family heirlooms' that I get asked to service, this machine had gone through a period of neglect. Normally when a typewriter arrives in appalling condition, I am only too keen to jump in and make it better and don't bother with taking pictures until it is finished. I thought that you might like to see 'before and after' pictures this time. Some were still in regular use until the 1970's. Introduced in 1913, and continuing until 1932 with only minor changes, it was a case of largely 'right first time' ! Even after the model was discontinued, subsequent Royals were largely based on the original internals right up to the 1960's ! It is hardly surprising that these machines are amongst the most common 'vintage finds'. The American Royal 10 is one of the classic typewriters, and is so strongly built that it is as near to indestructible as a typewriter can be. ![]()
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