Smith Corona Clipper 1947

This beautiful Smith Corona CLIPPER typewriter, Series 4C, dates from 1947 and is in unusually fine condition. It has been fully restored: cleaned, adjusted, lubricated and aligned. It will be shipped to the buyer without extra charge and fully insured. It comes with a full mechanical guarantee to ensure that you can use it without any problems. It comes with the original User Manual in the original envelope.

Look closely at the photos and you will see the absolutely marvelous condition of this exceptional machine. The paint--including the perfectly preserved "Clipper" airplane logo--is all original and nearly perfect (the ribbon cover has a couple of very tiny points of wear on the back (unseen) of the cover). The platen is in excellent condition with a very usable durometer reading of ~95. The chrome piecces are shiny and fresh-looking. The keys are in good condition (except for slight discolouration on two of them) and the rubber feet are in fine state and still soft. The paper feed rollers are soft and grip the paper well.

The "Clipper" logo is one of the most iconic among typewriter symbols and powerfully evokes the feel of the era in which this typewriter was manufactured. The airplane in the logo is the Boeing 314 "Clipper" flying boat that was manufactured between 1938 and 1941. Originally designed for transoceanic, first-class travel, and the during World War II they were refitted for military needs. Only 12 Clippers werre manufactured in total but they quickly became a powerful symbol for ultra-luxurious travel.

The joy of typing on this elegant machine is hard to describe in words. The keys just caress your fingertips and encourage the typing of the next word. The carriage movement feels like it is driven by the fine-tuned workings of a Swiss watch. The "Floating Shift" mechanism used is a basket-shift and is light as a feather. The levers on the carriage are ergonomically fit to the hand and aesthetically beautiful. The platen roller knobs are large and fit the hand like a lover's touch.

The keyboard is QWERTY and the typeface is a fine Elite (12 cpi). See photos for an example of this. The keyboard has the all-important "@" key.

The serial number of this typewriter is  4C200612 dating it from 1947.

Of course, I don't have to tell you that this is one of Tom Hanks favourite typewriters.

We have outfitted this 1947 Clipper with a new bi-colour typewriter ribbon on two vintage metal ribbon spools.

The case is in very nice condition inside and out. A couple of the exterior corners have some minor wear, but overall the case is solid, and clean and shiny. The handle is intact and strong, the hasp works perfectly and the key for the lock comes with it

This extraordinary example of a 1947 Smith Corona CLIPPER will be packed and shipped with the greatest care to preserve its condition and beauty. All our shipments are FULLY INSURED to the value of the typewriter.

If you have any questions or wish to see more photos, please don't hesitate to contact us.

This typewriter, like all of our typewriters, has gone through the following inspections, among others, and adjustments have been made as required:
1. Carriage movement
2. Platen condition
3. testing of platen locks, free head and paper release
4. Condition and pressure of front and rear feed rollers
5. Line space mechanism
6, Position and action of paper shield and paper bail functions
7. Testing of paper guides
8. Placement and clearance of line gauge
9. Proper functioning of carriage release levers
10. Movement and play of shift mechanism
11. Correct action of shift keys
12. Testing of cylinder and anvil positions
13. Spring drum tension
14. Ribbon feed and reverse, and ribbon position
15. Typebar and type guide position and action
16. Margin release, line lock and bell mechanisms
17. Space bar trip, key lever spring tensions and level of keyboard
18. Key card correspondence with characters
Among other inspections and adjustments...

ACME TYPE MACHINE COMPANY
Acme Type Machines is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of fine vintage typewriters from the era of fine, modern typewriter design and manufacture: the 1930s through the early 1970s. We have a carefully earned reputation for fine machines, excellent conservation and restoration, attentive customer service and good after-sale care and advice.

Our gallery of typewriters has clients in the United States and Canada, Australia and China, Morocco and Brunei, Finland and Japan and may places in-between. Our clients include many important collectors of typewriters, screenwriters and novelists, European and American interior designers, film art and production design departments and the casual--but discriminating--individual.

The aesthetic that drives us at Acme Type Machines is that of the museum conservator: to preserve our "typewriter" cultural heritage in a way that retains the integrity of the original object, restoring its mechanical components to their original utility, conserving the original cosmetic condition, and taking account of any historical aspects of its use or ownership.

All of our typewriters, except in some very exceptional circumstances (carefully noted in the description), are ready to use in the same manner as when they were originally manufactured and purchased. Some of our clients are screenwriters and novelists, using our typewriters on a daily basis. Some are collectors, rarely using the machines to type, who appreciate the meticulousness with which our typewriters are conserved.

Typewriters from Acme Type Machines are not inexpensive. The number of mechanical tests and adjustments, the attention to the cleaning process, small repairs etc., require hours of time and careful and professional work.
We find our typewriter treasures throughout Europe and the process of acquiring these fine machines can require long and delicate negotiations. Protected shipment and transportation to our gallery and workroom adds expense, as well.

After a typewriter is sold to a client, it undergoes a final testing, cleaning and inspection. The typewriter is then carefully prepared with protection on the platen-knobs, between the ribbon-cover and the body, and on the carriage return lever and other vulnerable parts. The escapement is protected by immobilising the carriage. The typewriter and case are wrapped in a layer of protective, strong bubble-wrap which is then placed in a carton box of double thick cardboard (carton). Shipment is made with padding--on six sides--of foam-rubber and fitted styrofoam.

Our goal is to provide a wonderful, working, vintage typewriter--usable, beautiful and aesthetically interesting--to your home or office, film studio or art department.