A photographer/collector who likes analog cameras and the images film produces, while also enjoying

A photographer/collector who likes analog cameras and the images film produces, while also enjoying
A photographer/collector who likes analog cameras and the images film produces, while also enjoying the latest digital.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Wonderful 11” Platen IBM Selectric I



While I had many problems with the previous Selectric III, this Selectric is the one I have been waiting for.  Near perfect shape.  Black.  The personal size with 11” platen.

Where the previous typewriter started out with many problems, this example worked fine upon arrive except for some stickiness.  After cleaning, it handles wonderfully.  The only other quickly corrected issue was that the carriage hit on the right margin lever.  Apparently the red indicator had somehow lowered to the point where the carriage could not pass over the margin lever.  An adjustment of the indicator at the front of the carriage and all is well.

Though still heavy, this smaller model takes up less desk space then the larger Selectric's.  Even has an Italic type ball.  Wish I could determine when it was manufactured however.  Would be nice to know.





A nice change after the nightmare of the Selectric III.  More to come……….

Definitions:
IBM Selectric I:
Produced by IBM between c. 1961 and 1971.
11” Platen:
Selectric typewriters came in several widths to accommodate paper size.  This size just fits an 8 ½ x 11” piece of paper sideways.


19 comments :

  1. What's the serial number? I can immediately see that it's a Level 2 machine (second design of the Selectric I, around mid-60's - they changed nearly everything about the way the casing came apart and internal design but the most obvious external change was the addition of the clear plastic paper gauge on the right platen knob.)

    Nice looking example! (:

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  2. Hi Ted,
    Thanks! The serial number is: 21-07277356

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    1. Hmmn, the closest I can come up with given IBM's janky serial numbering system, is a Canadian-made machine from 1969 (assuming 72=model, 07=factory, 277356=serial number). The US numbers for the 7x1 skip right from 5.9million to 9.4 million in the middle of 1970, so it's probably not US-made, although theoretically factory 07 should have been a US factory.

      Heh, nobody said reconstructing the database from fragments of sometimes conflicting info would be easy :D

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    2. Oh, you can examine the datestamps on the inside of the ribbon cover (under the foam) for confirmation. Also, sometimes a month/year is printed on the motor label as well. These are done generally *prior* to assembly and sale, so it could be a few months to a year or more earlier than the actual assembly/sale date, but it's roughly accurate.

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    3. Thanks Ted!
      Well, I have already removed the foam and replaced it with some wool padding as deadening material. But, I seem to recall that the same writing that I saw on the lid was also on the base under the foam. I did get an image of that. Here is what it had:

      BUDD - PPD
      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
      - - - - - - - - -

      472

      Where there are dashes above, represent actual dots. A different number under each letter. Like they were braille for a blind person. Strange. The 472 was also below and to the right of the first two line. Just could not get spaces or tabs to move it over here.

      Don't know if this helps or not.......... Let me know if you need for me to post the image. Could do it either here on on the "GolfballTypewriter" group.

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    4. Well I see upon posting that the dashes did not go where I placed them as Google removed all but a single space after each dash. The braille dots were actually under the 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

      Each dash represents one or two or three dots each.

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  3. That's a great looking Selectric I! I bought one recently but didn't have high hopes that I could get it working again. However, after a good cleaning and some lubrication, it's working great! I bet you'll get a lot of good use out of your machine. They're such a pleasure to use!

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  4. Yes thanks! And I love the fact that it is the smaller 11" platen.

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  5. The smaller machines seem to be more popular now. I guess it's because they look so cute and take up less space. I'm restoring a very old 11" machine similar to this that I believe was made about 1965, I think. It has the old-design case and all the first-version designs except the gear tilt. I intend to paint it soft gold to go with the light gray keys, levers and knobs. The small 11" machines were mostly used by schools back in the day to teach on, so many of the early ones are just worn out.

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  6. Yes, I love the smaller Selectric's. However I do not believe I have ever seen a Selectric II or III in this smaller size. I assume they made them...............

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  7. Bruce,
    IBM did make a 11" version of the Selectric II, sort of. They called it the Personal Selectric and it was made in 1983/1984. It had the 210 ribbon system, but an 88 character ball and single pitch. Here's a photo of one on T. Munk's site:
    http://munk.org/typecast/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/DSC00664.jpg

    I've seen 13" Selectric III's but never a 11" version.

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  8. Now I have another variation to look for................

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  9. Nice little IBM, Bruce. I used to have one some years ago I don't know how I lost it. I have been looking for one ever since. Does it have the Fabric Ribbon? Richard Polt , I think, knows where to get them.
    Cheers John

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  10. Yes, has the fabric ribbon. I have found a resource for ribbons. Yes I am glad I came across it as I have always wanted one and really enjoy it.....................

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  11. Holy smokes that's pretty hot.

    Still looking for typewriters and others gems like these?

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    Replies
    1. There is a Selectric III, blue, here on the markt. Only a snare problem to fix. I can ask for a price if you're interested.

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  12. Hello! Wondering if you still have this machine. If so, now that they don't make ribbons for the I, are you able to find enough to keep it workable? And finally, want to sell it? ;)

    All my best,
    Amy in Michigan

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    1. Hi Amy, yes I still have the machine. You can still find ribbons when you try. I am afraid that I would not be interested in selling it at this time. Usually try to find a slightly better machine before I let go of the current one. Sorry.

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