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26-1-2019 19:37:28  #1


Smith Corona Changeable Type

Hi everyone,
First time poster. I recently bought my first typewriter, a 1970's Smith Corona Classic 12. I learned about the Changeable Type system, and long story short, I'm fascinated and I want to start collecting them. Could you guys steer me in the right direction to finding them easier? So far I've reached out to a couple local typewriter repair shops and searched eBay with...not a lot of results. I understand that I'm venturing into the realm of actual vintage collecting, and that this stuff isn't just something that's out of stock on Amazon, but I was hoping that the more experienced among you might know something I don't.

 

26-1-2019 21:51:26  #2


Re: Smith Corona Changeable Type

I used to sell these typewriter when they were new and I never sold a Change-A-Type kit. I doubt many dealers ever stocked them and most buyers got them mail-order direct from Smith-Corona via the coupons that came with the typewriters. Nowdays your best bet is eBay where they come up from time to time. They sometimes are included with a S-C typewriter online or in local shops but it's not often. If you're in a university town your chances are much better as they were mostly an academic accessory. I once got the male/female slug when I bought a Smith-Corona from an ornithologist. Mostly you find Math and Greek symbols, often in sets of four. Have fun.

 

27-1-2019 16:06:15  #3


Re: Smith Corona Changeable Type

As Michael stated, I believe most of it was sold via mail order:
http://www.typewriterrentals.com/a-changeable-type/

I used to keep my eyes open for it to turn up, and over the past ten years I can count on one hand how many times I've come across someone selling a Changeable Type kit. Difficult to find, unfortunately.


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

27-1-2019 19:33:21  #4


Re: Smith Corona Changeable Type

Uwe, I left a long, involved note about these on your blog at http://www.typewriterrentals.com/a-changeable-type/#comment-2587 .

 

28-1-2019 12:49:20  #5


Re: Smith Corona Changeable Type

Yes, great stuff Michael - thanks! I'm going to revisit my Smith-Corona models armed with your information and update that post. If I understood you correctly, there must have been FOUR keytop variations then: the original red rounded version; the black and white rounded version; the square version you mentioned; and the late-version square ones?


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

28-1-2019 15:45:07  #6


Re: Smith Corona Changeable Type

Uwe, I would say at this point there were two keycap styles:
Rounded with at least three variations: early red, later black and white, and Sears-branded black, all these being interchangeable regarding fit;
Square with no variations but two applications, early square cream and square cream on plastic-bodied typewriters, these two being interchangeable and nearly indistinguishable;
And two slug types: a slip-on, and a slip-on with a catch, the latter being found only on plastic-bodied machines, but they are all interchangeable.
There are pics here: https://imgur.com/a/FVO802N . Feel free to use them if they are good enough.
I have only seen the square keytop with slug-with-a-catch on Sterling Automatics (all-electric with plastic body) and thus only the 1/4 over 1/2, but all the other square-top ones fit anyway, so....
Hope this is clear and helpful. Thanks for bringing it all together.

 

28-1-2019 16:18:00  #7


Re: Smith Corona Changeable Type

I'll edit and use those photos (with credit, of course). I can't say that I'm familiar with the square key version; were they on both manual and electric models? Did Smith-Corona still call the system "Changeable Type" or was it marketed under a different name? I appreciate this information!


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

28-1-2019 21:36:29  #8


Re: Smith Corona Changeable Type

Don't know whether they were used on both manuals and electrics. Funny, I though the square keytops were pretty common but now I can't find any. I think I've mostly seen them on electrics. The whole keyboard has square keytops with only the barest space between them, like computer keyboards.
I think they were always called Changeable Type; don't recall where I got that "Change-A-Type" from; maybe it was Sears. I like "Change-A-Type" better.
I have added a Smith-Corona order form page to that Imgur album. It shows how seriously S-C took that keytop business.
Has anyone ever seen a Smith-Corona desktop or office typewriter with Changeable Type?? It seems like a natural and yet I have not seen one.
Whew. This is getting complicated.

 

28-1-2019 21:52:03  #9


Re: Smith Corona Changeable Type

Well, looks like that order form needs a separate image insertion... >>> https://imgur.com/a/cqlho76

 

29-1-2019 12:10:01  #10


Re: Smith Corona Changeable Type

The square keytops definitely look like they came from newer electric models, which would explain why I haven't come across them (I only have 6-series and older electric Smith-Coronas in my collection). You can see the Changeable Type used on those were the rounded keytops:


Clearly I'll have to update the page on Changeable Type to include the newer models. Of note, the order form that I have on the page also warns about selecting the correct keytops too when placing an order.


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

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