Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at Young V&A
Design Gallery, Designing for Change section 1, Case 3

This object consists of 5 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

De Luxe Typwriter

Toy Typewriter
1965-1969 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Child's typewriter, pressed mild steel. The top is a grey-blue colour and the surface of the metal is textured. The bottom is plain black metal with blue plastic feet protruding through it. At the back on a dark blue slide is the patten of dark blue metal with the paper holder of copper held on a spring at each side. The patten knobs at the ends are red plastic. In front of the patten is a ruler marked with lines from 0 to 70. Stretched in front and slightly above is the typewriter ribbon, black. it has metal eyelets at the ends to hook on to hooks. At the front of the body, a typewriter key board is laid out in individual very dark blue plastic knobs with moulded raised lettering painted white. The front space bar has no lettering and the knobs/keys do not work. From the middle of the body the back sharply rises and is divided with a space in the middle. On the left side is a large knob marked 'COLOR CONTROL' and on the right one marked 'CLEAR SET.'

The typewriter works by a disc and lever mechanism set in the space in the middle of the back. The letters, of red plastic, are arranged around the outer edge of a disc which has on its top a metal plate marked in black and white with the letters. In the centre of the disc is a large red plastic knob for turning the disc around. To the right side is an arrow and at the front two levers. The bottom lever acts as the space bar and the top one throws the disc forward. A letter is chosen by placing it against the arrow, the lever is pressed and the letter hits the ribbon and prints on to the paper.

With the typewriter are two cellophane bags, one printed in blue to show the name and maker's trade mark, the other in red. There is a length of typewriter ribbon with red ink and an eyelet at either end. The packaging is a corrugated cardboard box, printed in red, white and blue to show the name and maker's marks. The top opens and at the front when closed two handles are formed so it can be carried.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Typewriter
  • Bag
  • Bag
  • Ribbon
  • Packaging
TitleDe Luxe Typwriter (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Tinplate with plastic parts, printed cellophane, printed corrigated cardboard
Brief description
Toy Marx de Luxe typewriter, made in Britain by Louis Marx & Co. Ltd. between 1965 and 196
Physical description
Child's typewriter, pressed mild steel. The top is a grey-blue colour and the surface of the metal is textured. The bottom is plain black metal with blue plastic feet protruding through it. At the back on a dark blue slide is the patten of dark blue metal with the paper holder of copper held on a spring at each side. The patten knobs at the ends are red plastic. In front of the patten is a ruler marked with lines from 0 to 70. Stretched in front and slightly above is the typewriter ribbon, black. it has metal eyelets at the ends to hook on to hooks. At the front of the body, a typewriter key board is laid out in individual very dark blue plastic knobs with moulded raised lettering painted white. The front space bar has no lettering and the knobs/keys do not work. From the middle of the body the back sharply rises and is divided with a space in the middle. On the left side is a large knob marked 'COLOR CONTROL' and on the right one marked 'CLEAR SET.'

The typewriter works by a disc and lever mechanism set in the space in the middle of the back. The letters, of red plastic, are arranged around the outer edge of a disc which has on its top a metal plate marked in black and white with the letters. In the centre of the disc is a large red plastic knob for turning the disc around. To the right side is an arrow and at the front two levers. The bottom lever acts as the space bar and the top one throws the disc forward. A letter is chosen by placing it against the arrow, the lever is pressed and the letter hits the ribbon and prints on to the paper.

With the typewriter are two cellophane bags, one printed in blue to show the name and maker's trade mark, the other in red. There is a length of typewriter ribbon with red ink and an eyelet at either end. The packaging is a corrugated cardboard box, printed in red, white and blue to show the name and maker's marks. The top opens and at the front when closed two handles are formed so it can be carried.
Dimensions
  • Typewriter height: 115mm
  • Typewriter width: 305mm
  • Typewriter depth: 255mm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
'MAR / TOYS' (Within a double circle crossed by a large 'X'. Sometimes the mark is surrounded with 'MADE IN GT. BRITAIN', sometimes the mark forms the body of a figure of a pixie. Found on box, typewriter and bags.)
Credit line
Given by Nicola Gale
Object history
The typewriter belonged to the donor, Nicola Gale, born February 5, 1961 in Amersham, Bucks.
Production
Reason For Production: retail
Collection
Accession number
B.93:1 to 5-1998

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Record createdApril 23, 1998
Record URL
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