One of the prettiest little type-writers in the Conservatory's collection is this Depression era Royal Junior portable, serial number #J 37954, manufactured in l935 or l936. Like many Depression era machines, the Royal Junior is a "minimal" type-writer, with no tabulator, no right margin, no margin warning bell, no line lock to stop one from typing over the end of the margin, no margin release, and no left platen knob, and no back space key. As one can see in the close-up at the right, the machine was not designed to have a left platen knob. Many Remington portables of the period also leave out the left platen knob. Of course, all this was for the sake making a very inexpensive machine that could appeal to Depression era budgets. Nevertheless, the type-face of our machine is very good even though its "feel" is almost that of a toy (the Type-Writer Bibliography page was typed with this machine). However, whether the machines are full size or Depression "minimals," it is the concerted opinion of the Conservatory that Royals are the superior machines.

The photo at the left shows the rear of the machine where one can see the solitary left margin stop which has limited travel. Again, this was a concession to the same cost saving motive. The Royal Junior is held in its case only by blocks of wood on three sides that keep it centered. The top of the case contains projections with rubber bumpers (now hardened) that keep the machine pressed to the base. We should also mention that this type-writer is carriage shifted. The bumpers help keep the carriage from moving in the direction of shifting while the machine is transported.

Buying agent(s) of the Conservatory found this machine at the Brimfield Antique Fair, Brimfield, Mass., in July of '06. Agents of the Conservatory are always on the look-out for new machines to add to the Conservatory's collection. If you have a machine to sell, or even to donate, contact us via the address found on the introductory page under "Home." We may be interested, but this offer is not a commitment to buy your machine. It may be that we are not interested in your model, or we already have an example, or, from prior shopping excursions, we are out of funds. The latter happens more often than not.