Underwood Standard Portable – 1929

The Underwood Standard Portable Typewriter was manufactured between 1919 and 1929 by the Underwood Typewriter Company.

Based upon the Serial Number, this typewriter dates to 1929. The price tag indicates its a “1930s” typewriter — close enough.

This Underwood Portable has a four-bank QWERTY keyboard. This typewriter doesn’t  required that the carriage and platen be folded to be portable like the more popular Smith Corona 3.  The typewriter has a solid wood case with a leather handle that allowed it to be easily transported. The handle in this example would need to be replaced to carry but appears to be the original leather handle.

The condition is near excellent and what one should expect in a full professional cleaning and partial restore. However it’s not in perfect working condition as the keys were sticking a bit. A good cleaning would most likely resolve that.

The decals and paint are top notch. The spool covers are present and the type slugs appear very clean.  The price seems a tad high for the condition but not unreasonable for a showcase piece.