I was out and about today and stopped in at a few town thrift stores looking for brown plastic cases for Operation: SCM Datecode. I didn’t find any, but I did run across this lovely but very dirty Royal Aristocrat.
My collection is a little Smith-Corona / Corona heavy and I have been thinking I should branch out and see what all the fuss is about other typewriter brands: the Royals and the Underwoods etc.
This Royal was filthy. Not a problem – I like to clean things up. The draw cord was broken. I can fix that (probably).
Uh oh.
What is wrong with people? You know, we are living in a SOCIETY.
I left the shop feeling irritated not just at the key-chopping but at the sheer half-assedness of the evil doing. It appears that the chopper took a few keys, got bored and quit. And they took the Shift Freedom keys. So mean.
I thought about the typewriter all day. Its ultimate fate would probably be to have the remaining keys clipped off and the body dumped in a scrap heap. NO. IT SHALL NOT BE. Not while I have $30 in my pocket!
I went back and took the Royal Aristocrat into protective custody.
1939 Royal Aristocrat
S/N B-889364
-
- A damsel in distress
-
- Could use a bath
-
- Blug
-
- Ugh
-
- Grody
-
- S/N under carriage on left
-
- A lady of gentle birth
-
- Not all the keys chopped
-
- Broken draw cord
About those missing key tops: a clever typospherian at Typewriter Talk salvaged a key-chopped typewriter with faux craft keys. I swung by my Joann Fabrics and picked up similar items for $5.00:
I’ll clip off the loops on the faux keys, print out Royal Aristocrat style letters and attach the faux keys to the broken stems…somehow.
Last thing: did I mention that she is really dirty? I had problems finding the serial number because it was under a layer of filth. Anyhow, while I was turning her over trying to find the serial number, a piece of metal fell out. Oh lordie – where does that go? Fortunately, it wasn’t a typewriter part, but an old watch face that fell out. What other secrets do you hold, Aristocrat?
Not a part of the typewriter. Whew.
myoldtypewriter 
ooh, poor thing! D:
But – you are the right person for the job, and that’ll be the oldest Aristocrat in the TWDB when you get ‘er put in. I can say as the happy owner of the now second-oldest one, that it’s a machine well worth saving. (:
LikeLike
It’s in pretty bad shape, but I can already tell after a little work that it’s a great little machine and will type beautifully.
LikeLike
Lovely machine, and such dastardly vandalism. I’m sure you’ll do a sterling job on her rehabilitation.
LikeLike
She’s cleaning up beautifully – I think there’s hope for the Royal Aristocrat.
LikeLike
Weep.,seriously. I wish you the best of luck!
LikeLike
Here’s a hankie – there, there. I think she’s going to all right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice save! Two of my KMMs that I rescued from a hoarder’s place are missing keys too, but they were buried and forgotten before the typewriter key fad started. Keychoppers may not be to blame in your case, but I have no idea what could have taken those keys off otherwise.
LikeLike
My Royal Aristocrat must have been attacked by the laziest key-choppers ever – no work ethic and lost interest before finishing the job. BTW – would love to see how your KMMs come along.
LikeLike
Heh, so would I… but right now they are at the bottom of my to-do list, with six others in line D:
LikeLike
I see that you have found my solution for missing keys
As for attaching them go buy some glowsticks with the plastic connectors
the straighten out the keystems and glue the glowstick things on the backs of the keys and they just press on.
Hope this helps
Happy Typing
Mr.E
LikeLike
I am so glad that I came across your solution recently – the Tim Holtz faux key charms from Joann Fabrics are the perfect size for key top replacements. I am having success using moldable metal epoxy putty to attach the faux key tops to to the broken levers – only a few more to go.
LikeLike
Brave…
(Wishing you much luck and inspiration for this project!)
LikeLike
Thank you – she’s coming along great. Hopefully I will post an update in day or two.
LikeLike