193x VariTyper Incorporated #401079 M 9

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)
Created: 08-12-2019 at 09:44AM
Last Edit: 10-04-2023 at 02:13PM

Description Hunter 41 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

This is an early electric Varityper. It appears to be essentially a Hammond Multiplex with a motor in the back to wind the spring. These machines were first introduced in 1930, and the second version was introduced in 1933, so this one should be from 1930-1933.

This instance features a keyboard with math symbols, and two shuttles with 4 rows of characters. I believe the regular Hammond shuttles have 3 rows only. There is a "FIG." and a "CAP." key, like on the Multiplex, but also a "NUM." key and a "DEM." key (I guess "numerator" and "denominator"!).

According to the comments on this other Hammond, this is a "Mathematical" or "Scientific" model with four levels of shifting:

https://typewriterdatabase.com/1926-hammond-multiplex-folding.2498.typewriter

The machine also has a "ONE HALF BACK SPACE" key in addition to the regular "BACK SPACE" key.

This machine is in great cosmetic condition, except that it has a broken carriage return handle. I have the part and I think that it broke just after I got the machine, unfortunately. It will have to be welded back eventually.

I haven't turned it on yet as I believe the machine should first be cleaned and the motor should be cleaned and tested independently.

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

• Public photo album

Photos:

Hunter: Erik Bruchez (ebruchez)

Erik Bruchez's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 10903

I started collecting my first pre-WW2 standard typewriters in 2017. Since then I have added a few machines to my collection, which now ranges from the 1890s to the 1980s. As of 2020, I have more big standard (desktop) typewriters than portables, and a few standard electrics.