8 replies to this topic

[WarriorPhotog]

I know someone already actually owns the real typewriter that Howard used, but does anyone know what year, make and model of Underwood it was? Thanks! Need that info to see if I can find a comparable one for my doc.

Ben

[timeless]

Definitely an Underwood, like my avatar.

[Rusty Burke]

I know someone already actually owns the real typewriter that Howard used, but does anyone know what year, make and model of Underwood it was? Thanks! Need that info to see if I can find a comparable one for my doc.

It was an Underwood No. 5. We know from his letters that Howard bought a new typewriter in July 1925, and comparison of letters with typescripts suggests that this was the typewriter on which he continued writing letters and stories from that time on. However, apparently the typewriter owned by the fellow who claims to own Howard's typewriter was manufactured in January 1928. Now, he's amassed an impressive array of material trying to prove the provenance of that machine, and all I've got is my own and Patrice Louinet's examinations of Howard's letters and typescripts, which do no suggest the acquiring of a new typewriter after January 1928, but what the heck, who really knows? At any rate, get yourself an Underwood No. 5 manufactured around 1925-1928 and you'll be close enough. I picked up one myself at a flea market in Baird, Texas, a few years ago and keep meaning to get it refurbished. Of course, it's just a prop anyway, I did my share of typing on those old manuals and I much prefer computers.

Rusty

[WarriorPhotog]

I know someone already actually owns the real typewriter that Howard used, but does anyone know what year, make and model of Underwood it was? Thanks! Need that info to see if I can find a comparable one for my doc.

It was an Underwood No. 5. We know from his letters that Howard bought a new typewriter in July 1925, and comparison of letters with typescripts suggests that this was the typewriter on which he continued writing letters and stories from that time on. However, apparently the typewriter owned by the fellow who claims to own Howard's typewriter was manufactured in January 1928. Now, he's amassed an impressive array of material trying to prove the provenance of that machine, and all I've got is my own and Patrice Louinet's examinations of Howard's letters and typescripts, which do no suggest the acquiring of a new typewriter after January 1928, but what the heck, who really knows? At any rate, get yourself an Underwood No. 5 manufactured around 1925-1928 and you'll be close enough. I picked up one myself at a flea market in Baird, Texas, a few years ago and keep meaning to get it refurbished. Of course, it's just a prop anyway, I did my share of typing on those old manuals and I much prefer computers.

Rusty

Thanks so much! Now I know exactly what to hunt for.

[THE KID]

Last year I read a fascinating article on Bob's typewriter by Damon Sasser posted on Two-Gun Raconteer about Bob's typewriter.

Dec 20, 2010 by Damon Sasser on Two-Gun Raconteer:

"I won’t give away all the details for those of you who have not received your Newsletter, but bottom-line, in addition to finding some previously unknown letters by Doc Howard, Paul discovered the Roady family has what appears to be Robert E. Howard’s typewriter. Further tests and research is needed, but at first blush, based on the provenance, this appears to be the genuine article – the true Underwood for the Ages.

Now, everyone has heard of the typewriter acquired by Jay Corrinet in 1993 from a Underwood typewriter salesmen who said he bought it from Doc Howard in 1937, and which was believed to be Robert’s. However, in light of this discovery, one has to pause and wonder if that old salesman didn’t pull a fast one on Mr. Corrinet."

Apparently there is a man who has Bob's original typewriter but won't part with it. There's another typewriter that surfaced that might have been one of Bob's but there has to be forensics done on it to be sure; the typeface and the way the keys strike the paper have to be examined.

The typewriter that's in the REH Museum is a replica.

Damon: Is there anymore information?

Thank you. v/r Richard

Edited by Richard, 08 August 2011 - 01:39 AM.

[Axerules]

Similar topics merged.

[Black Coast Press]

Last year I read a fascinating article on Bob's typewriter by Damon Sasser posted on Two-Gun Raconteer about Bob's typewriter.

Dec 20, 2010 by Damon Sasser on Two-Gun Raconteer:

"I won’t give away all the details for those of you who have not received your Newsletter, but bottom-line, in addition to finding some previously unknown letters by Doc Howard, Paul discovered the Roady family has what appears to be Robert E. Howard’s typewriter. Further tests and research is needed, but at first blush, based on the provenance, this appears to be the genuine article – the true Underwood for the Ages.

Now, everyone has heard of the typewriter acquired by Jay Corrinet in 1993 from a Underwood typewriter salesmen who said he bought it from Doc Howard in 1937, and which was believed to be Robert’s. However, in light of this discovery, one has to pause and wonder if that old salesman didn’t pull a fast one on Mr. Corrinet."

Apparently there is a man who has Bob's original typewriter but won't part with it. There's another typewriter that surfaced that might have been one of Bob's but there has to be forensics done on it to be sure; the typeface and the way the keys strike the paper have to be examined.

The typewriter that's in the REH Museum is a replica.

Damon: Is there anymore information?

Thank you. v/r Richard

I did a piece for The Cimmerian several years back on the Corrinet typewriter. There is some controversy as to its authenticity. I plan to put it up on the website soon. The typewriter Paul Herman found could be the real one, based on the provenance. More research and testing of the typewriter is needed. Don't know the current status of this process.

OKAY, here is the link to my Corrient typewriter article from The Cimmerian:

http://rehtwogunraconteur.com/?page_id=12927

Edited by Black Coast Press, 26 August 2011 - 02:12 PM.

[Dantai]

Just finished restoring my Underwood No5 and thought I'd give you all this treat. As you can see from the semi-colon, I'm having some trouble with carriage skip.

[deuce]

Just finished restoring my Underwood No5 and thought I'd give you all this treat. As you can see from the semi-colon, I'm having some trouble with carriage skip.

Cool!