For its edition of October 1977, Australian Consumers' Association magazine Choice rated 59 "lightweight" portable typewriters. Among the 59, it "double-dipped" many times, including Imperials, Royals, Chevrons, Pinnocks and KMarts made by Nakajima, Sears made by Silver-Seiko (as well as Silver-Seikos) and Lemairs made by Brother (as well as Brothers). All up, at least 15 typewriters were duplicated - that is, rated twice under different brand names.
Nonetheless, the 1977 ratings are significant for present-day collectors and casual typewriter enthusiasts, because the 59 typewriters listed would make up about 85 to 90 per cent of all typewriters listed on Australian eBay today.
Brother came out on top, with a Brother 700T and a Brother-made Lemair 800T among the four typewriters singled out for recommendations by Choice. The other two were the Olivetti Lettera 32 and the Sears Achiever 600 (made by Silver-Seiko).
In the list below, please read Brother for Lemair, Maritsa for Pacific, Nakajima for Imperial, Royal, Chevron, KMart and Pinnock (CFM) and Silver-Seiko for Sears. (Considering the number of brands selling Nakajima ALLs, it is hardly surprising the Nakajima plant was spewing out 150,000 portables a month at this time.)
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Nonetheless, the 1977 ratings are significant for present-day collectors and casual typewriter enthusiasts, because the 59 typewriters listed would make up about 85 to 90 per cent of all typewriters listed on Australian eBay today.
Brother came out on top, with a Brother 700T and a Brother-made Lemair 800T among the four typewriters singled out for recommendations by Choice. The other two were the Olivetti Lettera 32 and the Sears Achiever 600 (made by Silver-Seiko).
In the list below, please read Brother for Lemair, Maritsa for Pacific, Nakajima for Imperial, Royal, Chevron, KMart and Pinnock (CFM) and Silver-Seiko for Sears. (Considering the number of brands selling Nakajima ALLs, it is hardly surprising the Nakajima plant was spewing out 150,000 portables a month at this time.)
THE TOP FOUR
Brother 700T
Lemair 800 (Brother)
Olivetti Lettera 32
Sears Achiever (Silver-Seiko)
Citizen X3
OTHERS FEATURED
KMart (Nakajima)
Smith-Corona Skyriter (as a Corsair)
Adler Tippa S
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Maritsa 11 (as a Pacific 11)
Chevron (Nakajima)
One of these sold for $128.50 on Australian eBay last week
Royal 202 (Nakajima)
Hermes Baby (Olivetti)
Silver-Reed Silverette (Silver-Seiko)
Olympia Traveller De Luxe