Gear View of Underwood No 6

Couldn't resist.  Had to post this image.  Peering into the right side of my Underwood No. 6.
More to come.............

Batteries for Classic SLR Cameras

I recently conducted tests on replacement batteries for classic SLR’s such as the Minolta SRT 101 above.  When such cameras were marketed, the battery of choice contained mercury which is no longer available in the US and in many other countries.  The tests show differences in those currently available choices that most closely match the original battery.  If you wish to see the details, they can be found at:

http://home.kc.surewest.net/btvarner/PX625Replacement.html

http://brucevarner.com/PX625Replacement.html

More to come...................

Definitions—
SLR: Single Lens Reflex.  A common type of camera designed such that the image capturing lens is also used for scene framing and focusing.  When the shutter is tripped, the mirror momentarily is moved out of the lens, path allowing the film to be exposed.
Batteries: The power source that allows use of the cameras light metering system.

Another Off Topic: Teddy Roosevelt

I added another piece to my collection of Teddy Roosevelt books, photographs, memorabilia, and such.  Theodore Roosevelt has long been my favorite president and I am always looking for items associated with him.  This piece can still be obtained rather easily from the US Mint.

On May 9^th, 2013 the US Mint and US Post Office issued a First Day of Issue Cover which contains two Presidential $1 coins for Theodore Roosevelt. I am not really a stamp collector, I do collect coinage.  This pleasing item seemed to be a good addition.

 Seems like my wife continually complains that our house looks more like a museum then a residence.  More to come...................

Definitions—
1^st Day of Issue Cover: A postage stamp on a postal card or stamped envelope franked on the first day the issue is authorized for use.
Theodore Roosevelt: 26^th US President from 1901 through 1909.

Old Adding Machine…………

Ok, when I bought the like new Underwood Standard No. 6 (Described in the previous post) the seller threw in an old manual adding machine that came from the same estate sale. Now, I do not collect adding machines, nor do I know anything about them.  This one however is in excellent shape, so I thought it would be worth knowing more about.  The problem is that I can find nothing on the adding machine that would identify the name or date of manufacture.  It is obvious that the imprint on the Bakelite machine cover is almost fully worn off.

So here is the question for those out there that know such things.  How can I find out the manufacturer and when this device might have been made.  If you know or can point me in the right direction, please post a response.  Thanks!

 More to come...................

Definitions—

Manual Adding Machine: Mechanical device that works similar to a manual cash register.

Bakelite: Plastic used in the 40's and 50's on many products.

Underwood Standard No 6

Came into possession of a stunning Underwood Standard No. 6 typewriter.  Thought I had been transported back to 1931, the year of manufacture for this example.  The typewriter came with cover, manual, and looks like it had just been shipped from the factory yesterday.

I found the machine while browsing on Craig’s list.  The single image of the typewriter was not of good quality but even so, it looked very clean.  The seller had $40 on the typewriter and was located some 45 miles south of me in a rural area.

I called the seller and after a couple of minutes I quickly felt that this would be a desirable purchase.  Apparently the seller goes to estate sales and purchases items that appeal to him.  He then re-sells those items.  The Underwood had belonged to a wealthy man who recently died, in a small town south of Kansas City.  The items had been located inside the dwelling and very well kept.  The seller stated that a couple of other people were coming the next morning to see the typewriter.  I knew I could not get there for a day or so.  I made the decision to buy sight unseen.  I obtained the sellers PayPal account and bought the Underwood.

I drove to pick up the typewriter which the seller had in his rental storage locker.  I removed the typewriter cover and could not believe what I saw, a new typewriter.

Back home I looked carefully to ensure that this was not a restored machine.  The NO. 6 was latterly new in every way.  The platen was soft and had no marks.  Paint was undamaged.  Nickeling was perfect with no rust anywhere on the typewriter.  It is obvious that this typewriter had just barely been used and had been stored its whole life carefully in a climate controlled environment.  The only thing is that the ribbon was absolutely dry.

 

I am very pleased with this find.  More to come...................