Goodeventide!
As I was perusing my email messages earlier this day, I noticed one from an ebay seller from whom I had recently won an auction. The gracious lady was writing to inform me that my Underwood Standard No. 3 (the 18" model) of yet undetermined year was now on its way, traveling by mail-coach from Pennsylvania to where I reside in the still-wild Southwest. She also informed me of the total weight of the specially made crate her husband had constructed for my new acquisition in order to keep it safe en route, with the typewriter inside.
...It weighs fifty-five pounds.
Yes, you read that correctly: fifty-five pounds! That's as much as a good-sized dog or a young child! While I eagerly anticipate its arrival, I am filled with an equal amount of dread. When the postman delivers the Underwood, I am uncertain that I shall have the wherewithal to bring this monster into my home myself!
Therefore, I have officially decided to name my Underwood 'Behemoth'. Just as my Royal is called 'First'. I shall have photos of them both soon!
What are your typewriter's names? Do they have any? I would love to know.
-Anna.
early Underwood standards are actually quite small and not too heavy compared to, say, an Oliver or a Royal HH. I have a 1920 #5 I call "Drago", which has a smaller footprint than most post-war portables, even though it is quite tall.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback, Ted!
ReplyDeleteI'm certain that some of that gargantuan fifty-five pounds is the weight of the packing material; the seller actually built a wooden crate to ship the Underwood in, so that it would arrive here (the Southwest) from Pennsylvania unscathed. Still, it is considerably heavier than my Royal.
I have noticed the Olivers can have some heft to them. It won't stop me from [eventually] acquiring one!
The old Underwoods do tend to be quite tall, don't they? What condition is your 'Drago' in? Do you use it?
Drago's in fine shape, all things considered. The paint job he picked up in the '40s is a little drippy and covers up his fine labels, but it has a certain raggedy charm of its own. Mechanically, he's fine (:
ReplyDeleteSome pictures
Ooh! Drago is a handsome beast, and certainly in better condition than Behemoth. I agree that the paint job adds some charm and character, and it's certainly a plus he still works. Behemoth is going to be another restoration project for me.
DeleteSomeday when I'm big and strong, I'll have a typewriter that actually works!
Thank you very much for sharing Drago with me! I like!