1961 Underwood 21 #U02475

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brancaleone daNorcia (Brancaleone)
Created: 05-04-2026 at 04:26PM
Last Edit: 05-08-2026 at 09:35AM

Description Hunter 18 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Underwood Mod. 21
Serial No. U 02.475
Manufactured in 1961
by Underwood Italiana S.p.A., Milan, Italy
Pica 10pt typeface
German keyboard layout

For me, the Underwood 21 is ___t_h_e___ typewriter of mid-20th-century modern design.
If I had to decide to keep only one machine of my collection - I would keep ___h_e_r_,_____due to her design of timeless beauty.
In my personal opinion, it is significantly more modern and outwardly more mature than its sister, the Olivetti Studio 44.
The practical handling and the typing experience don't match with her outstanding design, but: Those we love, we love with their flairs.

As far as I can see, this is currently the earliest Mod. 21 in the database.

Actually I can't find again the database entry where some hunter colleague wrote about the strange crossing between the E and X typeslugs, but I can tell you: This machine has the same "interesting" connection :-)

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Detail: serial no. U 02.475; I was wondering if this alternatively could mean "UO" for Underwood-Olivetti, but the complete company merge came later, I think.

View: front right

Detail: model plate

View: right

View: rear right

Detail: plastic structure on ribbon cover; this is one of the details I love the most

View: rear

Detail: manufactors decal on rear side

View: rear left

View: left

View: front left

View: top

Detail: open lid

Detail: type slugs, Pica 10pt (1)

Detail: dust cover; I found it, presumably never unfold before, in the case top; there are no Underwood insignia on it, so I don't know if this is an original part.

View: typewriter in case

Detail: case (angle view)

Detail: case profile

Hunter: Brancaleone daNorcia (Brancaleone)

Brancaleone daNorcia's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1194

Fellow typospherians, may I introduce myself? I'm Brancaleone da Norcia, Typewriter Hunter and TWDB Patron from Germany. My main focus is collecting portable machines from the 1950s to the 1970s. I particularly appreciate good industrial design and durable construction. Many Olivetti and Erika models inspire my enthusiasm. Some might find it odd that my machines are usually uncleaned in the pictures. I only have very little time for my hobby, and it's very sporadic. Personally, I enjoy taking photos and working on the database much more than handling rags and brushes. But I admire it and think it's wonderful when someone brings a sleeping gem back to life. At last, I have a particular fondness for pangrams and palindromes, and I am always happy to discover new ones. Looking forward to get in touch with you, kind regards, Brancaleone.