I have one of these: serial 4X.571, made in Leicester, housed in a soft case, but otherwise identical to yours down to the color. It's a really beautiful design. Mine has a tag for METYCLEAN Typewriter Specialists, 131A Victoria Street SW1 and 161 Strand WC2.
Am I correct that this model 4 (you might want to change the title of your post?) differs primarily from the model 5 in that the 5 has basket shift?
Five on the mind! Well spotted. Yes, of course, THE most obvious difference is the basket shift. Pretty sure that the only Imperial made in Leicester after '56 was the 66 desktop model. Portables were made in Hull, though the label on the machine is correct as the company's registered office was Leicester. Comparing the two right now, the 5 is a Bugatti Veyron to the 4's Model T. I pretty well have the escapement and space bar linkage on the 5 fixed, but the platen release is the devil itself to fix. Tempted to strip the one out of the 4 to compare a working one with a non-working one. But I can't bear to risk masking it useless when it works perfectly well.
It is. Not a thoroughbred like the 5 (see above) but everything worked almost straight out of the box. Welcome to my studio, west-facing dining room with floor to ceiling windows.
Hard to say. The slugs have quite a long throw but the linkage is geared like (apparently) early Remingtons. The action is very positive and it can go faster than I can type! Always a good thing.
Hello, all! I find the 4 very pretty. But wonder if the IGC 5 types better than the 4. Which one is louder? And what are the advantages in having a 5 over the 4? Greetings from Brussels, Belgium
Thomas, ehe 4 and the 5 are completely different mechanisms. The 5 is quieter and is a better, more modern technology than the the 4. However, it is less robust in my opinion.
Just checking Did you release the carriage lock? If so, did you try it out of the case? If so, does the carriage move if you apply light pressure to its end while you type?
I have one of these: serial 4X.571, made in Leicester, housed in a soft case, but otherwise identical to yours down to the color. It's a really beautiful design. Mine has a tag for METYCLEAN Typewriter Specialists, 131A Victoria Street SW1 and 161 Strand WC2.
ReplyDeleteAm I correct that this model 4 (you might want to change the title of your post?) differs primarily from the model 5 in that the 5 has basket shift?
PS: Bowker for PM!
Five on the mind! Well spotted. Yes, of course, THE most obvious difference is the basket shift. Pretty sure that the only Imperial made in Leicester after '56 was the 66 desktop model. Portables were made in Hull, though the label on the machine is correct as the company's registered office was Leicester. Comparing the two right now, the 5 is a Bugatti Veyron to the 4's Model T. I pretty well have the escapement and space bar linkage on the 5 fixed, but the platen release is the devil itself to fix. Tempted to strip the one out of the 4 to compare a working one with a non-working one. But I can't bear to risk masking it useless when it works perfectly well.
DeleteSounds like a nice little typer. And the image is just stunning, with the gloss and glare.
ReplyDeleteIt is. Not a thoroughbred like the 5 (see above) but everything worked almost straight out of the box. Welcome to my studio, west-facing dining room with floor to ceiling windows.
DeleteBeautiful machine. I love the photo!
ReplyDeleteHandsome typewriter, Rob. I'm curious, what is the feel of the keys during typing action? Probably like a Triumph Perfekt?
ReplyDeleteHard to say. The slugs have quite a long throw but the linkage is geared like (apparently) early Remingtons. The action is very positive and it can go faster than I can type! Always a good thing.
DeleteHello, all!
ReplyDeleteI find the 4 very pretty.
But wonder if the IGC 5 types better than the 4.
Which one is louder?
And what are the advantages in having a 5 over the 4?
Greetings from Brussels, Belgium
Thomas, ehe 4 and the 5 are completely different mechanisms. The 5 is quieter and is a better, more modern technology than the the 4. However, it is less robust in my opinion.
DeleteI have one just like this down to the case and colour but I have been struggling to get the carriage to move as I type. Do you have any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteJust checking Did you release the carriage lock? If so, did you try it out of the case? If so, does the carriage move if you apply light pressure to its end while you type?
Delete