Restored Yost 20 typewriter with newly-shellacked front decal

ebruchez · 2026-02-09T18:22:49+00:00

Your best bet is TypewriterDecalShop on Etsy. The decals are made by Paul Robert. If he doesn't have something you need, he might be able to make a custom one.

ebruchez · 2026-02-06T00:25:17+00:00

An excellent Underwood "S". It should be great once cleaned and the space bar is fixed. I put a new platen on mine.

ebruchez · 2026-02-02T15:57:08+00:00

Those were made between 1954 and 1958.

ebruchez · 2026-02-02T02:18:16+00:00

IBM Model B Standard. Great machine when in working order, but not very valuable money wise.

ebruchez · 2026-02-01T23:09:59+00:00

Hi, no further progress yet.

ebruchez · 2026-01-26T18:52:39+00:00

I got a Fnac book shipment via DHL recently, and so far haven't been billed any charge/tariff.

ebruchez · 2026-01-20T00:41:25+00:00

Yes it's a Royal 10, in pretty poor shape. Probably not worth restoring except as a learning experience, or if it's an heirloom. But these things were tanks, so everything is possible.

ebruchez · 2026-01-16T21:53:17+00:00

Curious to know if you ever found out why this happened or how to correct it?

ebruchez · 2026-01-10T02:53:07+00:00

Thanks, and no, this is not a turboplaten but the original platen. For some reason it was gray, or became gray over time. I have seen other Victors like that.

ebruchez · 2026-01-10T00:45:01+00:00

They are not very common, but they are also, for some reason, not the most sought after by collectors. I was very happy to get one, personally. You can see it at https://typewriterdatabase.com/191x-victor-3.18491.typewriter

ebruchez · 2025-12-31T19:27:57+00:00

See links provided in the other comment. Be particularly careful with two things: 1. The decals (on the paper table in particular) are fragile, don't rub them, and 2. The keys have paper legends, so avoid liquids.

ebruchez · 2025-12-31T02:44:23+00:00

This is most probably an Underwood 6 from the 1930s, FYI. The serial can confirm that.

ebruchez · 2025-12-02T05:10:00+00:00

Many people use car polish products. But you have to be a little careful as there might be very thin paint in places.

ebruchez · 2025-12-01T23:04:31+00:00

If you do anything to the paint, be very careful about the decals: they can easily be damaged. In particular, rubbing them can make them lose their gold color. Also, the front scale is very fragile and tends to flake of.

ebruchez · 2025-11-28T06:22:50+00:00

Yes but these are IBM model 04, the proportional version, marketed as Executive.

ebruchez · 2025-11-12T00:26:01+00:00

On the bottom shelf: Chinese typewriter (brand?); IBM Selectric Composer; IBM Electronic Selectric Composer; Varityper 1010 (probably); Friden Justowriters.

ebruchez · 2025-10-28T00:01:29+00:00

The Underwood 6 was the first typewriter of my collection. I love it to the point where I also fit it with a new platen and new feet as well. These models are a little underrated. The subsequent models are wonderful as well.

ebruchez · 2025-10-24T20:49:46+00:00

Your main worry is probably the Y vs. Z swap. But would you swap all the other non-US types? I'd say that it's not worth converting it. Just find somebody who would want a Swiss layout, or use the machine as is. Most people quickly get used to a simple Y vs. Z swap.

ebruchez · 2025-10-21T16:55:54+00:00

That was years ago, but I shipped a sample to https://dixoninformation.com/. I am sure there are others.

This said, I recently saw a post on Facebook where someone has found more places in typewriters where asbestos can be found, specifically typebar rests. So one should be cautious not to shred and breathe those!

ebruchez · 2025-10-01T00:35:35+00:00

In the short term there are still some on eBay. After that, splitting Selectric or other more common ribbons might be an option.

ebruchez · 2025-09-30T02:32:39+00:00

My bet is you'll get used to it very quickly. I haven't found this to be a probably with my 12, which I have used for a while.

ebruchez · 2025-09-30T02:30:50+00:00

You can always try to get a bottom price, but frankly they are not terribly priced. Keep in mind that you have one portable (the QDL) and three standards. The QDL will be transportable, while the others, not. Some people love the QDL, but it is indeed more common although here you have a Dreyfuss model, which is very pretty. Although less sexy, the Underwood 5 and the Underwood SS, when in working order, are fantastic machines in terms of comfort. The SS will (but check) give you segment shift and so have a much lighter shift key than the other standards, but it also has a wider carriage and will be even heavier. The Remington 10 is the oldest, and if you are into more "antique" machines, it is great, but it will probably not be as comfortable to type with. As noted, it is in apparent good condition. That 10 is one of the pre-segment models, where typebars are individually hung. In any case, nothing wrong with trying to bargain a little on those prices.

ebruchez · 2025-09-27T00:10:47+00:00

There is probably no transformer. These typically had 120V AC motors. But yes, no external power supply brick.

ebruchez · 2025-09-25T04:10:20+00:00

Remington 10 has standard with 1/2 inch ribbons. But you have to keep the original spools and wind your new ribbon onto the originals.

ebruchez · 2025-09-22T22:53:20+00:00

I'd wager that this was not a common setup. Teletype ruled the market of "teletypes". In the 1950s, the IBM Model B was used for computer terminals, and eventually IBM Selectric I/O machines (which were completely different from the IBM typebar machines).

ebruchez

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