1948 Underwood Universal #F1692509
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Created: 04-28-2026 at 03:17PM
Last Edit: 05-24-2026 at 07:55PM
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Description:
No. 6 in my collection is the Underwood Universal. I guess portable compared to the large office models. I have replaced the rubber feet on this machine, as one front foot was missing, the other broken, and the rear feet had dried into hardened nuggets. Also, the hinge of the top cover is partly broken - it still opens fine, but the rather intricate hinge mechanism has become detached from the cover itself.
The Underwood portables of this era seem to lack any sort of tab system, as it is also missing on my later Leader model from later in the 50's.
Otherwise, it operates fairly smoothly. The typeface sample is on index cards, and the tops of the "U" is missing, probably as the geometry of the card was interfering with proper functioning.
Interestingly, the frame has another serial number printed, but it doesn't seem to be the actual serial number.
Typeface has a more pronounced hat on the "8".
Acquired from Goodwill auction, shipped out from South Texas.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Fumitaka Hayashi's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 441
Relatively new to collecting. Would like to document my collection.
Planning on sticking to full-sized American machines so I don't spend too much on fancy European portables.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Underwood Universal on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Underwood Serial Number page and the Underwood Universal By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
