In 1938 the Royal company began production of the “quiet” typewriter line of machines. The A model being a first. It would go on to become a first in the “Quiet De Luxe” line of typewriters. Production of the line continued until 1944 when manufacturing was discontinued due to the war. In 1946 it resumed and we had a model, A-1274462, was created.
This typewriter went about its life until it became the property of Phyllis, a friend of my wife. Phyllis dumped the typewriter on us. I do not recall her asking. She was moving and did not want to take it with her.
We left it on the back porch until the fall arrived. I took it down into the basement. Fortunately, the smell had dissipated. That musty smell that can infect the case that it traveled in. I re-discovered the machine today while “cleaning the basement.” Testing shows that one key, the N, is the only one that can or will travel up and kiss the platen.
I do not know if it is worthwhile, well wait, it is not the case of it being worthwhile, it must be worthwhile. They are not making more of these typewriters. I do not know if the years of neglect have rendered it un-fixable. It seems like a fine machine under the hood, But, wow, there does seem like a bunch of stuff to be done to it.
— MichaelRpdx rkmm 1948
PS – Why yes, I am asking for your opinions on this typewriter. And how much I am getting into with undertaking its repair.