Durabel goods

Isn't this a handsome typewriter?

 

That's what I thought when, on one of my scrolls through eBay.de, my eye was caught by a Triumph Durabel. This was Triumph's simplest model: no tabulator, no bicolor ribbon, no left platen knob. The serial number dates this one to 1954. On The Typewriter Database we can find examples dating from 1933 to 1957, in different body styles, of course.

For my taste, this body from the '50s is a classic: elegant yet not flashy. The subtly modulated tan color (the only color I've seen) reminds me of gold without indulging in glitz.

This typewriter is handsome from any angle.

I wanted to indulge myself with one of these. The problem was that every Durabel I saw online was QWERTZ, and I can't type on that layout. Then, Chris Mullen of Acme Type Machine Co. in The Hague came to the rescue.

Chris offered a Durabel with a Dutch layout, which is close enough to U.S. QWERTY:

You can always tell a Dutch machine from the ij diphthong (pronounced "eye") and the ƒ sign (for the old Dutch currency, the florin or guilder). 

The typewriter arrived in great condition, perfectly packed, and I immediately inspected it.

Even though the Durabel is below the Norm and Perfekt in terms of features, it is not at all a throw-away, cheaply made typewriter. Everything is expertly assembled and made from high-grade materials. The mechanical design is proven and pleasant. Note how the rear carriage rail is much higher than the front (on most portables, front and rear carriage rails are on the same horizontal plane). 

This arrangement lets you peek down behind the paper table and glimpse the escapement.

The Durabel feels very refined. Although it doesn't have a silent carriage return, the purr of the escapement is gentle and pleasant. The paint is very subtly textured, just short of glossy.

I know, I'm not supposed to be growing my collection, but how could I resist owning and using this typewriter for a while?

Meanwhile, Chris Mullen's business has been struggling recently, in part due to lower demand from American customers (are tariffs a factor?). So he's launched a Kickstarter campaign with the following goals:

—Keep the doors of the workshop and showroom open in order to continue to provide restoration work and expand our other activities such as technical training, historical preservation, public information and outreach.

—Continue to provide an alternative to electronic, screen-based creativity

—Continue to support writers, artists and students with free or very low-cost typewriters

—Provide training to two new technicians to help the next generation of typewriter artisans

—Increase and improve our public typewriter programs (seniors, schools, etc.)

—Develop programs to reach a broader public through partnerships with larger companies 

The campaign is off to a strong start. I hope you'll check it out, contribute what you can, and spread the word.

Nanonovel no. 4: World Without Sleep & a thought from Langdon Winner

The type-in report and a visit to the war rooms

The type-in brought out a suitably eccentric and motley cast of insurgents for a friendly and free-spirited afternoon.

Here's Nick Fisher at his Rheinmetall. Nick lives in Swindon and is one of England's preeminent, longtime typewriter collectors. He writes a quarterly column for The Typewriter Exchange.







I have to say I've never seen a device quite like this paper roll attachment before. I expect this typewriter was made in Germany shortly after the war and exported to the UK.





Jim:



My new red Imperial Good Companion no. 5 started speaking through the fingers of a certain typist:



Katy Evans-Bush brought a classy postwar Groma, tried various other machines, and discussed writing with fellow typist Scott.



This is only a partial record of the afternoon. You can see Piotr's photos on his blog.

One insurgent notable for his absence was the legendary Bikethru. Fortunately, I was able to meet him for lunch at a pub the following day. (Poor me, I am obliged to patronize pub after pub.)

Here's a British scene for you: an Imperial Aristocrat, two pints, bubble and squeak, Stilton, and beef.



Bikethru started typing ...





In other adventures, I visited the Churchill War Rooms, a secret bunker under government buildings where Churchill and his staff strategized. Many people lived here practically day and night.



Naturally, typewriters were an essential tool. It's hard to take pictures down there because of the lighting and the glass, but here are a few glimpses.

There were a couple of Remington Noiseless machines; Churchill had sensitive ears (NO WHISTLING signs were posted) and these typewriters were less offensive.




One of the typewritten documents on display ("TO BE BURNT BEFORE READING") humorously documents the challenges faced by the bunker's typing pool:



Several of the rooms were equipped with magnificent black Imperials.





There's even a little Imperial in the gift shop (not for sale, although you can get some rubber "typewriter" letter stamps).



I end with a scene in a shop window. Having served its country nobly in times of war, this distinguished Imperial awaits the moment when it will serve again.

Tickling the ivory, Triumphantly

A brand-new 48-year-old typewriter

The label on the bag for the carriage is marked with the typewriter's serial number.

The carriage return lever is tucked back, but it's easily put in the right position without any tools.

Wrapped around the platen was this form that asks the office machine dealer to report back to Grundig on the condition of the typewriter.

Here's a cover, an accessories kit, and the screws that attach the carriage to the body.

 The accessories kit holds two brushes, an eraser, an erasing shield, and a cleaning cloth.

An instruction manual in German, Danish, Italian, and Portuguese:

This supplement explains the special accommodations for the blind that are found on this machine.

Raised dots on some keys provide tactile guidance.

 

You can also find tactile help on the paper support ...

... and the scale is marked with Braille numerals. You can feel the exact location of the printing point thanks to the protrusion on the little structure above the type guide.

 The serial number dates the typewriter at 1967:

 

 

Type unblemished by any ink:

There were small amounts of rust on the typebars and segment, which I removed with a brass wire brush. A little old grease in the segment was making the typebars stiff, so I loosened them up with Lectra-Motive Electric Parts Cleaner, my favorite degreaser.

On the left side of the typewriter you see a socket where a Grundig Stenorette tape recorder can be plugged in. The key to the left of the space bar makes the tape play when you hit it, or rewind when you hold it down. A key to the right of the space bar stops the tape. Very useful for typing from dictation, and especially useful for the blind.

And there you have it: a brand-new 48-year-old typewriter! 

It feels great: precise, speedy, and durable.