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30-1-2016 01:51:01  #11


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

Just wanted to chime in (on an old thread, I know) that there are also some typewriters with significantly larger font those already mentioned... I have one which is around 2cpi (takes a 3/4" ribbon, to give you an idea on letter size)


JP Huard
 

11-3-2016 18:43:05  #12


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

Here's the way I do it--I roll in a piece of paper and type a letter of the alphabet--such as the letter l, 12 times, and measure on the paper with a ruler.  If all the ls fit within the space of 1 inch, it's elite.  If all but 2 fit, it's pica.  Simple as that.  And as for which makes and eras these type sizes come from, I would say it is a mix, though you might find more pica typewriters made more recently, but that's just a guess.  Overall, it's six of one, half a dozen of another.  Just find one you like, type twelve letters of the alphabet, then measure.  


Underwood--Speeds the World's Bidness
 

11-3-2016 19:26:26  #13


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

snoname wrote:

............. I have one which is around 2cpi (takes a 3/4" ribbon, to give you an idea on letter size)

2 CPI!  That is absolutely massive!  Never seen the like; 6 CPI is the largest I have.  Would love to see a picture of the machine and the output.


Sincerely,
beak.
 
 

12-3-2016 07:23:30  #14


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

TypewriterKing wrote:

Here's the way I do it--I roll in a piece of paper and type a letter of the alphabet--such as the letter l, 12 times, and measure on the paper with a ruler.  If all the ls fit within the space of 1 inch, it's elite.  If all but 2 fit, it's pica.  Simple as that.  And as for which makes and eras these type sizes come from, I would say it is a mix, though you might find more pica typewriters made more recently, but that's just a guess.  Overall, it's six of one, half a dozen of another.  Just find one you like, type twelve letters of the alphabet, then measure.  

It can be even simpler: measure the tick marks on the paper bail---how many in one inch? If the paper bail doesn't have marks, then measure them on the platen index lower down. When you find you can't fit a ruler down near the vibrator, slide the carriage to one side and measure where the index extends out.
Ten marks is pica, 12 is elite, and other counts will be what they are but we don't know names for them.

 

12-3-2016 16:32:24  #15


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

beak wrote:

2 CPI!  That is absolutely massive!  Never seen the like; 6 CPI is the largest I have.  Would love to see a picture of the machine and the output.

Same here. I have a hard time imagining how the letters could be that large while still fitting on a more of less standard slug width. With wider slugs you'd have a minimized keyboard/key set, which would make it more a specialty machine than a typewriter.
 


The pronoun has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
 

01-4-2016 20:30:47  #16


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

M. Höhne wrote:

TypewriterKing wrote:

Here's the way I do it--I roll in a piece of paper and type a letter of the alphabet--such as the letter l, 12 times, and measure on the paper with a ruler.  If all the ls fit within the space of 1 inch, it's elite.  If all but 2 fit, it's pica.  Simple as that.  And as for which makes and eras these type sizes come from, I would say it is a mix, though you might find more pica typewriters made more recently, but that's just a guess.  Overall, it's six of one, half a dozen of another.  Just find one you like, type twelve letters of the alphabet, then measure.  

It can be even simpler: measure the tick marks on the paper bail---how many in one inch? If the paper bail doesn't have marks, then measure them on the platen index lower down. When you find you can't fit a ruler down near the vibrator, slide the carriage to one side and measure where the index extends out.
Ten marks is pica, 12 is elite, and other counts will be what they are but we don't know names for them.

I've done it that way too.  
 


Underwood--Speeds the World's Bidness
 

01-4-2016 20:33:47  #17


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

snoname wrote:

Just wanted to chime in (on an old thread, I know) that there are also some typewriters with significantly larger font those already mentioned... I have one which is around 2cpi (takes a 3/4" ribbon, to give you an idea on letter size)

I'm curious about this one too.  Who made it?
 


Underwood--Speeds the World's Bidness
 

01-4-2016 21:09:33  #18


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

I vaguely remember visiiting a TV studio in the 1970s and seeing a machine with very large type. Might have been an all-caps model and might have been for a teleprompter.
Anyone ever hear of some such machine, or is my memory failing me?

 

02-4-2016 04:33:53  #19


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

They are excellent tips! Thanks skywatcher & beak.

I prefer smaller type so while I am happy to receive a surprise typeface, I'd want to know that it was elite or smaller before buying. I am pretty new to this, but I was surprised at how eBay sellers don't bother showing a type sample very often. I imagine that is a well-known and common bugbear

 

02-4-2016 16:54:35  #20


Re: Which typewriters have larger/smaller typefaces?

Nicole wrote:

They are excellent tips! Thanks skywatcher & beak.

I prefer smaller type so while I am happy to receive a surprise typeface, I'd want to know that it was elite or smaller before buying. I am pretty new to this, but I was surprised at how eBay sellers don't bother showing a type sample very often. I imagine that is a well-known and common bugbear

I am not saying this as a definite, but from my own experiences in trying out typewriters, many of them have had dried out ribbons, sticky keys, or just plain sticky everything.  They may tell you the machine works perfectly except........  They're not typewriter experts.  They just want to get a secondhand item sold.
 


Underwood--Speeds the World's Bidness
 

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