Happy Sunday, everybody! Meet the newest addition to my plethora of paper paraphernalia:
My Royal Signet Senior!
From what I’ve gathered (which is not much, and I’ll explain why in a bit), this post-WWI/pre-WWII baby was made in 1932, and was specifically churned out for Depression-stricken Americans. During this time of financial difficulty, many typewriter companies tried to cut costs and produce cheaper typewriters in order to keep the sales up. Here’s a great summary about Depression-era portables:
“The Great Depression was a hard time for the big companies and the regular folk alike. In order to stay afloat, the typewriter manufacturers had to figure out a way to sell their product to a public that had little or no money. Out of necessity was born a class of stripped-down, no-frills typewriters that all but the poorest could afford. Most of these can be found coming from the years 1932-1935, but some were made right into the early 1940s. They were typically marketed euphemistically as “student” or “children’s” typewriters, for no one wanted to be reminded that they were poor. This family of portables were generally made in small quantities and as cheaply as possible. Thus, not many have survived to today. These machines provide a tangible connection to a very difficult time in [America's and the world's] history.” — Typewriter collector, Alan Seaver, at Machines of Loving Grace.
Unfortunately, not much can be found on the Royal Signet Senior, because it was only made for two years before production stopped. A cheaper predecessor was known as the Royal Signet, which only typed in capital letters– talk about saving costs! The Senior, however, is capable of typing both in capital and lower-case letters, and its internal workings are virtually identical to the later Royal typewriters of the 1930s. The difference seems to be the glossy black paint that most Royals sported– the Senior features a more crackled and rugged look. Considering how it came into being during the Depression, that’s kind of apt, no?
Because of the Signet range’s extremely limited run, and because they were so cheaply made, not many survive today, and even fewer are in working condition. I am pleased and proud to report, however, that this handsome beauty is one of those few. It also came with its original case, and two user manuals. Amazing, for a typewriter so old! Why a case? This typewriter was a Portable (vs. desktop typewriters)– our equivalents are laptops and desktops.
This’ a quick shot of my smart-ass way of asking my Dad if he wanted to do lunch together today. I left it near the staircase so that he’d see it in the morning. To my delight, he wrote back– poorly, as you can see! It is difficult to get a firm impression if your fingers have been used to typing on PCs/Macs– you’ve really got to hit those keys HARD. I spent most of the wee hours of the morning thwacking away at those keys, and I think my finger muscles are ten times stronger already. No joke.
I am, as you can probably tell, extremely jazzed about this piece of history beneath my fingertips! I’ve christened him the Senior. Don’t knock what seems to be a lack of creativity– I feel that a such staid survivor deserves a dignified name.
Hello fellow English Lit major, who-makes-beautiful-paper-goods! Haha, I’ve been stalking your blog for sometime and I just had to comment on this post because I <3 typewriters too! :D Yours is a beauty!
Hi Alicia, thanks for stopping by! :] Thanks for the typewriter love– I spent a good 20 minutes the other day defending my possession of the Senior to a technologically-savvy uncle– so typewriter lovin’ energy from others is always welcome. :]
Hi, I’d like to know where you bought your typewriter from?
I’m a big fan of vintage and classic items, so I’d really like to know thanks! Would like to own one :)
Nicolette!
Hello, I am a fellow typewriter hobbyist and have several to let go at a fair deal :) Please call 9877 2939 to enquire! :)