1960 Collegiate Portable Typewriter

I bought this typewriter from a fellow collector--it is a Cole-Steel Collegiate, made in 1960. According to period advertising, this model was sold for $49.79 by S.S. Kresge, which later became Kmart. Mechanically it is identical to the Cole-Steel portable; the only differences are the ribbon cover (which is raised on this model), and the lack of a touch selector.

According to Kresge's advertising, the Collegiate portable offered (quoted from the ad): 

1. Completely cadmium plated mechanism throughout. Compare with ordinary black finish.
2. Firm, solid chrome plated bars and metal fittings. Compare with other lightweight fittings
3. Only 3 1/2 inches high. We believe this is the most compact of ALL portables.
4. With Extra keys. Keyboard includes all standard plus several extra keys often not found on other portables.
5. Lightweight Aluminum frame.
6. Easy to read standard pica type
7. Dow Chemical Styron Case
8. Free picture manual of instructions

Also has left and right quick set margins, carriage centering device, automatic ribbon reverse, positive paper feed. 

(Reprinted from the Altoona (PA) Mirror, 12/8/1960

Smith-Corona's Big Fall Push--1951

This is a collection of advertising and marketing tools produced by Smith-Corona in 1951. It includes scripts for radio ads, copies of advertising mats and magazine ads that appeared in 1951. It refers to Smith-Corona's tweed carrying case with the name "Silver Birch carrying case." Also, notice the Colorspeed keyboards.

Profit is worth an EXTRA EFFORT

This is an article that appeared in Office Appliances magazine in March, 1957.The typewriter on the upper left is an Olympia SM-3; the one on the right is a Remington portable

1957 Royal Quiet Deluxe--in Pink!!

I now have a pink Royal! I got it from a fellow Lion for a great price! He originally got it for free in Orlando about 20 years ago. This is one of my favorite typewriters! 

In the 1950s, typewriter manufacturers were looking for a new way to sell typewriters. For the first time since the Depression, portable typewriters were offered in a choice of colors.

My first Facit ...Like Butter

I traded a 1922 Remington Portable for this portable in Bremerton. Mr. Lundy had spent a long time looking for a carriage return lever for this typewriter, and I realized that one from a Royalite would work:

This 1969 Facit 1620 is the best typewriter I have ever used...it types so smoothly and is so easy to operate...it was easy without a carriage return lever, but is easier with one. In terms of color and use, it is like butter. (If you haven't seen Saturday Night Live's Coffee Talk, I highly recommend it). It is so smooth and light; if a typewriter could be made of butter, this would be it!

I just replaced the Royalite carriage-return lever with a much better Royal Custom II one...it folds and unfolds much more nicely, and is easier to reach!

1957 Underwood Universal

1963 Royal Citadel

This is a great machine, despite its size and being a Royalite...it has a nice satisfying feel.

1963 Remington Holiday

Olivetti Lettera 33 and Smith-Corona Super G