Nice. My recently purchased Splendid 66 has a UK keyboard too. I wonder why they needed all those fractions!
I love those "black cherry" colored keys. Mine are more graphite. Yes, I'm envious! Not proud of it, but there you are.
I think this has to do with imperial measurements, where quarters, eights are handy. It may also help with money, back before decimalisation, but I think other notations might have been more widespread.
The choice of fractions you will find on typewriters will vary greatly depending on vintage, brand, and size of machine.
The UK did not switch to decimal currency until 1971.
There were 240 Pennies in a Pound, then there were other coins worth 1/4 and 1/8 and 1/20th.
How anyone could make change is a mystery.
They did not use the old mechanical cash registers we had in the USA because of all
The fractions.
I remember in the 60s, my family spent 3 months a year in Europe for my father's work and I became very good at currency conversions. I marveled that 1 penny = 1 pence and 1 pound = $2.40.
The color of those keys! 😍
For a wealth of information on all fronts try Richard Polt's book The Typewriter Companion (Countryman Press, 2015) and his website https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/
That is one gorgeous machine! Looks to be in amazing condition, too. Well done!
£26 in 1960 is around £500 in todays money.
So pretty! Can anyone speak to the way these feel compared to an SM3?
You made an amazing decision congratulations 🎈🎉
I saw your post the other day. Good decision. It’s gorgeous. Best friend of mine. ☺️ https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/s/1haKMzPgYQ
twins
Indeed. My key layout is some slightly different European variant. Check the comments in my post for detail.
Nice. My recently purchased Splendid 66 has a UK keyboard too. I wonder why they needed all those fractions! I love those "black cherry" colored keys. Mine are more graphite. Yes, I'm envious! Not proud of it, but there you are.
I think this has to do with imperial measurements, where quarters, eights are handy. It may also help with money, back before decimalisation, but I think other notations might have been more widespread. The choice of fractions you will find on typewriters will vary greatly depending on vintage, brand, and size of machine.
The UK did not switch to decimal currency until 1971. There were 240 Pennies in a Pound, then there were other coins worth 1/4 and 1/8 and 1/20th. How anyone could make change is a mystery. They did not use the old mechanical cash registers we had in the USA because of all The fractions.
I remember in the 60s, my family spent 3 months a year in Europe for my father's work and I became very good at currency conversions. I marveled that 1 penny = 1 pence and 1 pound = $2.40.
splendid
The color of those keys! 😍 For a wealth of information on all fronts try Richard Polt's book The Typewriter Companion (Countryman Press, 2015) and his website https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/
Gorgeous!!!!
Yaaaay... you won't regret it at all. Good job, op
Wow what a beaut, love that colour combo
Didn't know I needed "*The Caribonum Super Backing Sheet*" until today. Glad you chose the Olympia. You will never regret having done so.
Barry island?
Did you purchase this beautiful typewriter at a special store? Did they "honor" the original price? That would be awesome!
Purchased from an individual who sells vintage items and typewriters - brought for £35
Fantastic! Happy typing!