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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 1
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 2
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 3
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 4
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 5
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 6
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 7
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 8
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 9
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 10
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 11
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  • Vintage Imperial Messenger Manual Typewriter, 1964-1965, Case & Manual, Working 12
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Description

There are plenty of excellent US-made Royals and Coronas around but the English-made Imperial typewriters, though easily comparable to their American rivals in terms of quality, never sold in such large numbers and as such are harder to find.

The company was established in Leicester in 1911 by Hidalgo Moya, who was of joint American-Spanish nationality and more than a little eccentric: the Imperial Models A and B, the first typewriters he designed and manufactured in Britain, are distinctly odd-looking machines, but by the 1920s he was drawing obvious influences from Royal - the Model 50 even had glass windows in the sides, like the famous Royal Model 10, and from 1966 when the company was acquired by Litton Industries it specialised in producing Royal models from parts shipped across the Atlantic, and continued to do so up until the mid-1970s when, following strike action over unfair lower bonuses paid to Asian employees, the company closed. This model, the Messenger, was the work of the legendary designer Alfred Bott Pateman (who was also considered something of an eccentric, largely because he encouraged his daughter to study engineering - she later earned a degree in the subject, one of the first women in Britain to do so) with assistance from Samuel Alan Leedham, and it was the last portable model Imperial ever made.

Introduced in 1964 as a replacement for the enormously popular but rather old-fashioned Good Companion series, it was an attempt to compete with the streamlined machines coming from Japan and still looks far more modern than almost sixty years old today: it resembles the stylish plastic-faired Olivettis of the 1970s far more than anything else made during the mid-60s - this futurism continued into the mechanism too, enabling it to be far more slimline than almost any other typewriter of its era. Unfortunately, it wasn't only the Japanese manufacturer's typewriters that were streamlined - their pricing was too, so the little Messenger remained in production for less than five years with the final one shipping in 1967.

By the end of production, around 54,000 had been made. This example has been assigned the serial number 8R 063, which suggests it's a fairly early one dating to either late 1964 or early 1965 as a second letter was added at some point in 1965 onwards. Visually, it's in very good shape with only a few tiny flecks of corrosion to the chromed metalwork and nothing on the plastic that couldn't be remedied with a good clean. It's also very close to full working order with all features and functions operating correctly except for a couple of the typebars, which occasionally need a little help to return to their resting positions after being activated. It's fitted with a standard black/red ribbon, but this appears to have been reused at least once and will need to be replaced sooner rather than later; fortunately, these are still widely available.

The typewriter is supplied in its original leather effect carrying case, which has significant rust to the metal handle fixture, some traces of moisture damage and minor damage at one corner, but is free of rips and other damage and has a fully-functioning zip. Very unusually, the case also contains the typewriter's operating instructions manual, which is complete though the cover is detached, and an excellent condition copy of the Beginners Keyboard Manual for Imperial Portable Typewriters written by "the well-known Typewriting Authority" Maxwell Crooks F.I.P.S. (Hons.).

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible.

Feedback is extremely important to the charity so if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase please give us a chance to resolve any issues by contacting us prior to leaving feedback.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay messages, we will make sure that your message is responded to promptly, usually within three working days. Messages sent over the weekend will be responded to on the next working day.

If this item is not quite what you were looking for but you would still like to help our cause, please consider providing us with a donation which can be done via our eBay Charity Profile linked below.

Donate via Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Profile

We only accept payments made through one of eBay's many approved methods. Please make sure to complete your payment within 96 hours of winning an item. Once your payment has been received we will dispatch your item as soon as possible, usually within two working days.

Delivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday). If your order is placed after 1pm, the next working day will be considered the first working day for delivery. In case of bank holidays and during the Christmas period where delays are more likely, please allow an extra few days for delivery.

Domestic Delivery

We aim to dispatch orders within two working days. If for any reason there is an unexpected delay in dispatching your order we will make sure to inform you of this as soon as possible.

We use Hermes to deliver the majority of our parcels. If you would like to specify a preferred neighbour, or safe place for the parcel to be left, please leave the details in a message when placing your order.

Some low-value items will be sent by Royal Mail 2nd Class. Some items of higher value are sent by Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery, which requires a signature. If you are not present at the time of delivery, a card will be left instructing you to arrange a redelivery, or to collect your order from the local sorting office.

International Delivery

International orders are handled by eBay's Global Shipping Programme.

For full details please see the following eBay help page: Buying internationally with the Global Shipping Programme.

Items can be collected from our Retail Hub at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Eastern Counties Leather Industrial Estate, Pampisford, CB22 3EE during our opening hours of 10:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday. If you would like to collect your item please contact us in advance to arrange this.

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Arthur Rank Hospice Charity uses the eBay Returns system to make the process as easy for you as possible. For full details about the process, and for information on how to begin a return, please see the following eBay help page: Return an item for a refund.

Change of Mind

If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us.

Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition.

We strongly recommend that you fully insure your package that you are returning, as well as using a carrier that can provide you with tracking information or proof of delivery.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit.

Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the customer to cover any delivery charges for returning an unwanted item.

Incorrect/Damaged Goods

We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items, subject to the cost of the chosen return method being reasonable. Please contact us before proceeding if unsure.

About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

Around 4,000 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices.

Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Living Well services and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

It will cost £10.5 million in 2021/2022 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. Contracted services from the NHS are budgeted at £6.98 million, meaning that £3.52 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target.