Still not quite sure what "self-starter" means in this context, but the red "self-starter" key seems to be essentially a tab key. I note with interest on Richard Polt's Remington portables page on The Classic Typewriter Page that:
1. Most of the Remington 5 (streamlined) portables appear to have a shiny paint finish. The ones I have owned are that way, too, spectacularly so.
My shiny black Remington 5 (streamlined)
2. This one, however, has a crinkle paint finish, yet its serial number (V870399) fits right into those for the Remington 5 (streamlined) listed by Richard (V825000-V980468) as having been made between December 1935 and December 1940.
3. Richard quotes a company pamphlet as saying, "The modern attractive lines of this new Remington
brings [sic] 20th Century style and grace to the world's most famous portable
typewriter ... Note the
big, massive sturdiness of this new Remington Self-starter portable, its
graceful lines and glistening finish." Richard goes on to say, "The scale is red on most specimens, but
black on some ... Early specimens have the
traditional 'Remington' decal instead of the Deco lettering ..."
4. Below the Remington 5 (streamlined), Richard's next category is the Remington 5 T-SS, made between March 1936 and August 1938, with the serial numbers V800051 to V806711 (only 6661 were made). These too have a shiny paint finish. Richard wonders whether the model name represents the 5T (a near-twin of the boxy Model 5, made August 1932 to April 1939, with the serial numbers V525000-V552237) in a streamlined style. I now wonder whether it might mean "tabulator-self starter".
5. Other, later models listed by Richard include the Remington 5 (streamlined with touch regulator), the Remington Standard Model 5 and the Remington-Rand DeLuxe Model 5. These appear to have the crinkle paint finish, but in each case the serial numbers start with the letter "B".
So what do I call this model? Other, that is, than a VERY SPECIAL TYPEWRITER (see below why):
Very nice typewriter. I wonder how many not raised with typewriters and only computers and gadgets would thing that self-starter would mean push the button and watch it type.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice, clean typewriter! Enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI think the concept of the self-starter is that the typewriter will start a paragraph "by itself" (if you push the key, that is!). Unlike a true tabulator, it advances the carriage 5 spaces forward from whatever your current position is.
Where is the serial number located on this model? I have one with the crinkle finish.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm 5 years late in responding to C's comment, but to answer your question the serial number sits behind the keys facing the typist.
ReplyDelete