Antique Triumph Typewriter. Germany, Circa 1930

Antique Triumph typewriter made in Germany circa 1930, in very good condition and working order. This is a remarkable piece for its careful and contemporary design, with fine and simple straight lines that anticipate much later models. It remains in amazing condition, both aesthetical and functionally the typewriter works really fine and can be used to type all kind of documents. The cast-iron body is enhanced and protected by a shiny black-lacquered finish, original from the time and finely preserved. Over the carriage and the keyboard, and at the front side of the typewriter we can see the brand name TRÍUMPH and the manufacturing companys name TRIUMPHWERKE NÜRNBERG printed in golden lettering. The left side of the inscription is worn, but the rest remains perfectly legible. The keyboard is composed of circular pieces with black background and ochre symbols. They are reinforced by nickel-plated rings typical of old-time typewriters. It is a German keyboard, complete and in excellent condition. At the back of the typewriter there is an opening covered by a translucent panel with the brand name. This antique Triumph typewriter will stand out in a bookcase or a study desk as an emblematic and charismatic piece.Triumph History In 1890, S. Bettmann and M. Schulte founded in England a bicycle factory called Triumph Cycle Company Ltd. After seeing the business success, both entrepreneurs decided to expand their activity in their homeland. In 1896 they established a subsidiary Triumph Fahrrad-Werke AG in Nuremberg, Germany; business kept on growing and expanding, opening subsidiaries in other European cities. In 1909, a company called Ehrlich & Riegelmann (manufacturers of the Noriga typewriter) went bankrupt and was taken over the Deutsche Triumph-Fahrrad Werke AG which acquired the patent rights of the Noriga. That same year, the typewriter was reintroduced under the Triumph brand name. In 1913 the German subsidiary became independent and focused on the typewriter manufacture. After stopping production during World War I, in 1920 the Triumph Werke started manufacturing their model 2 again and improving the design. After World War II, the company kept on with their business activity; in 1950 launched the Matura, followed by the portable Gabriele (1957). In 1979 Triumph is taken over Volkswagen, and in 1986 is acquired by Olivetti. In 1997, typewriter production was definitely closed down.