Antique Red Underwood 5 typewriter with Spanish keyboard. Circa 1930's

Striking antique red Underwood typewriter with Spanish keyboard, made circa 1930 and in perfect working order. The keyboard includes the Ñ letter and preserves all its original component parts in fine condition. The outstanding red lacquered finish that covers the typewriters body is not original; actually, these items usually bear a black-lacquered finish. Nevertheless, in the 1980s there was a renowned artisan in Barcelona, Spain that used to restore these typewriters, leaving them in the condition that we can appreciate in the images. The combination of the old-time design of the piece with the bright red lacquered finish creates quite a singular effect, turning the typewriter into a real collectors item and an awesome element for any decorative style. The typewriter has been fully restored, cleaned and greased. As well as boasting an almost impeccable look, it works fine too and makes it possible to type any document. The red lacquered finish and the silvery-metal component parts are in great condition and show no traces of rust, flaws or scratches. Over the carriage there is an original silvery decal with the brand name Underwood; we can see a similar decal at the front side of the typewriter, just over the keyboard. The keys are circular in shape, with black background and light-colored symbols. They all bear the classic nickel-plated reinforcement rings. Original and decorative, this antique red Underwood typewriter with Spanish keyboard is a very special piece: an item worthy to belong to the best collector.Underwood Typewriters History The Underwood Typewriter Company was founded in 1895 by John T. Underwood. The family business made typewriter ribbon and carbon paper from 1874, but when some of their clients (such as famous Remington brand) started making their own supplies, they considered starting to manufacture typewriters. The first model produced was a design by Franz Xavier Wagner who showed it to J. T. Underwood: then, the Underwood No. 1 was born. The Underwood No. 5 launched in 1900 has been described as "the first truly modern typewriter". Two million units had been sold by the early 1920s, and its sales were equal in quantity to all of the other firms in the typewriter industry combined. In 1959, Olivetti bought a controlling interest in Underwood and completed the merger in October 1963, becoming known in the US as Olivetti-Underwood with headquarters in New York City, and entering the electromechanical calculator business. The Underwood name last appeared on Olivetti portable typewriters produced in Spain in the 80s.