Several Keys in Determining Accurate Age of a Typewriter

Question: Is it possible to trace the age of a collectible typewriter through the date the machine was patented?--N.S.

Answer: Patent dates are not always good indicators of the original date of manufacture of a typewriter. Many machines were patented and then not placed into production for years following their recorded patent date, according to collectors.

Much more indicative of the age of a typewriter is its serial number, which usually can give insight into when the machine was first produced. The serial number also can help sort out model changes.

Other tools a collector can use to trace ages of old typewriters are catalogues and newspaper and magazine ads. These can also be useful in case the collector has to do some restoration work, one collector said.

In terms of what to look for, most collectors say they search out machines produced in the early part of this century or before.

Typewriters manufactured after World War I may have that “look” of something that is collectible, but actually they were produced in such numbers that they are not considered rare by most collectors. Reflecting this fact are the relatively low prices these machines have brought in the marketplace.

For example, the vast majority of 1929-30 Remingtons and Underwoods still sell for well under $100, according to dealer catalogues.

Such prices are in dramatic contrast to machines manufactured around the turn of the century. A Blickensderfer--which was manufactured in the 1890s and which had an aluminum frame--can sell in the $300 range, according to catalogue quotes.

The May 14 New York Times reported that the baseball memorabilia industry now surpasses $1 billion annually. Aside from the always popular trading cards, the growing market includes autographs, equipment and uniforms.

Cecil Curtis of Pensacola, Fla., has compiled a bibliography of books and other publications that have material on walking sticks. He says the bibliography is free to subscribers to his newsletter, Walking Stick Notes, which also is free except for the cost of postage.

His address: 4051 E. Olive Road, No. 231, Pensacola, Fla. 32514.

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R.H. recently wanted a genuine chewing-tobacco cutter. Antique shop owner Diana Herman of the Antique Arcade, 31159 Outer Highway 10, Redlands, telephone (714) 794-5919, says she has one that’s at least 50 years old made by the Cupp Les Co. Price tag: $45.

Soble cannot answer mail personally but will respond in this column to questions of general interest about collectibles. Do not telephone. Write to Your Collectibles, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.