Imperial ‘The Good Companion’ typewriter, made in Leicester, England in 1939. Beautiful Imperial typewriter in good working condition

A beautiful Imperial ‘The Good Companion’ typewriter made in England in 1939.

It features the royal warrant of King George V on the chassis, a true sign of the machine’s quality and importance.

This is a rare find, an excellent Imperial typewriter from the 1930s in excellent condition for its 86 years of age. There were several subsequent versions and variations of the Good Companion, which are more common, but this is the earliest original. Editions exist in the textured ‘war’ finish, but this is the most attractive gloss black version.

Imperial typewriters began producing their excellent machines in 1911 and continued until the age of the word processor.

It has been thoroughly cleaned, oiled and given a new black and red ribbon and is ready for use. The original carriage strap had weakened and sagged over its long life, so has been replaced with new (a long and complex procedure!) and now the carriage zips along, and has been given decades more life. Additional compatible ribbons are easily sourced online, as are full original PDF versions of the instruction manual.

The keys are of the classic circular form typical of typewriters of the era, all of which imprint and are aligned correctly. The key action is very swift and accurate aiding the ability to type quickly without bunching.

The serial number can be seen at the front right under the keys and shows that its date of manufacture was 1939, presumably one of the last made before the onset of the war, when metal factories were taken over for military equipment.

Features such as the fold away paper support, a single or double line spacing selector, carriage lock for transportation, and the bell -which rings as clearly as the year it was made- telling the typist they’ve reached the edge of the set margin, all continued to be used in typewriters for many decades to come.

The typewriter is screwed onto its base from beneath in order to attach it to the top part of the case, but if you prefer the aesthetic without the wooden base attached, the machine can be unscrewed from the base and the cover placed on top to keep the dust off.

It comes in its original wooden case with leather strap.

Treat yourself or loved one to a rare and historic gem.

Measures 26cm wide X 28cm deep X 11cm tall chassis.

Please see also my other typewriters for sale.

A beautiful Imperial ‘The Good Companion’ typewriter made in England in 1939.

It features the royal warrant of King George V on the chassis, a true sign of the machine’s quality and importance.

This is a rare find, an excellent Imperial typewriter from the 1930s in excellent condition for its 86 years of age. There were several subsequent versions and variations of the Good Companion, which are more common, but this is the earliest original. Editions exist in the textured ‘war’ finish, but this is the most attractive gloss black version.

Imperial typewriters began producing their excellent machines in 1911 and continued until the age of the word processor.

It has been thoroughly cleaned, oiled and given a new black and red ribbon and is ready for use. The original carriage strap had weakened and sagged over its long life, so has been replaced with new (a long and complex procedure!) and now the carriage zips along, and has been given decades more life. Additional compatible ribbons are easily sourced online, as are full original PDF versions of the instruction manual.

The keys are of the classic circular form typical of typewriters of the era, all of which imprint and are aligned correctly. The key action is very swift and accurate aiding the ability to type quickly without bunching.

The serial number can be seen at the front right under the keys and shows that its date of manufacture was 1939, presumably one of the last made before the onset of the war, when metal factories were taken over for military equipment.

Features such as the fold away paper support, a single or double line spacing selector, carriage lock for transportation, and the bell -which rings as clearly as the year it was made- telling the typist they’ve reached the edge of the set margin, all continued to be used in typewriters for many decades to come.

The typewriter is screwed onto its base from beneath in order to attach it to the top part of the case, but if you prefer the aesthetic without the wooden base attached, the machine can be unscrewed from the base and the cover placed on top to keep the dust off.

It comes in its original wooden case with leather strap.

Treat yourself or loved one to a rare and historic gem.

Measures 26cm wide X 28cm deep X 11cm tall chassis.

Please see also my other typewriters for sale.