I really enjoy my avocado green example. I recovered the platen and now it works great. The look is really 60s. I even made a color matched rolling typing table to make this machine easier to use. Glad you found a nice example of this fun machine.
My Royal Empress was in pretty ugly smoke stained condition when I got her. I DID paint mine lilac and made a custom Royal logo with flowers for the front 😃🌼 It was the first one in my collection. I love typing on it.
These machines were so constantly seen in schools back in the sixties. Of course they were just bloated FP's with cheaper keys. I learned on the 440, the successor to this machine, in the late sixties. I sure wish I could find one as clean as this Empress, I'd snap it up immediately. Thanks so much for sharing!
I own two of these machines, both were manufactured in 1963. The first one that I acquired is "Fawn Gray" in color with a Pica10 CPI typeface, and the second one that came after it is "Aztec Blue" in color and has the Elite 12 CPI typeface. I believe that AMC may very well have been influenced by the Royal Empress' body style when they designed their AMC Pacer cars.
I would like to share with you a little history regarding your Royal Empress manual office typewriter. I am retired now, at a younger time in my life, I worked for Royal for several years, late 60’s to early 70’s. I was factory trained on the manual and electric line of office typewriters, and was assigned to service calls in the field. I was not trained on portables. Portable typewriter repair (both electric and manual) was not done in the field. Customers had to bring them into the shop. It is interesting to me you called this model “Empress”. In my tenure with Royal, I was curious as I had never heard that name mentioned regarding this model. That got me to do some research. I did uncover an original owners manual for the model MC, and sure enough, it states it is an Empress. Wow! I was surprised! In my day, all Royal office typewriters were referred by their model name, i.e. KMG, HH, FP, MC, etc. Never, did we refer to them with a signature name, i.e Empress. The sales department, the service department, and factory reps never called this machine an Empress, but rather referred to it as the MC. Royal’s policy was to take whomever was president of the company at the time of engineering of the typewriter, and put his initials as prefix in the serial number. The only office typewriter Royal made that actually had a model name marque (other than the ROYAL icon) on the front cover plate was the electric office model EB, and it displayed EMPRESS. In “my opinion”, the best manual typewriters Royal ever made were the HH and the FP. This was the apex of the Royal family. The creme de la creme. These two models were virtually bullet-proof. Could go for years without any service. After the FP, the MC was introduced. And after that the 440. These two later models showed how the company cheapened the machine with stamped frames, cheaper material parts, introduction of plastic, and overall poor quality control. That’s not to say it was a bad machine! Just the beginning of enhanced productivity, higher profit margins. And of course Royal had been taken over by other corporations……and the rest is history. I thank you for causing me to remember these fond memories. I enjoy your videos.
I like the look of the Empress, it's got nice curves. Looks like Kevin got himself a good deal. Yes, I agree that Kevin is going to be missed, I hope he can still make an appearance on your channel from time to time? 🤞
Lovely design, in my view. With everything you said, and all considered, I have the impression this might have been made for schools (typing class) or individuals that wanted a more affordable standard as this model would not have been as costly to make as a business typewriter. We'd have to check any ads or commercial litterature for the original price to validate my thoughts. Thanks for sharing! Daniel
The splotch on the top of the carriage release lever I think is not a splotch. On my Royal Empress that exact area had cracked in the exact same shape and I’m just figuring out how to repair it. I think it’s where the part would give way as it’s bolted down and the material wasn’t strong enough. I think yours has been re-glued back together.
I have my grandmother's that she used to teach typing. We are currently trying to clean it up... the spacebar isn't functioning correctly and most of the keys dont advance the carriage
I picked up one of these at an Auction Sale. Wifey bid and won one of those Aluminum Christmas Trees with a Color Wheel and they were going to throw in the trash a mint Royal Empress Elite. I said I'll take it. Cleaned it up and it really is in mint condition. Had to oil it a bit fixing some sticky hammers. Needs a Ribbon, which one do I need and where can I obtain a new ribbon? Its really a quality machine and visually appealing.
I have an Empress, and I like it but I keep thinking that it is basically a KMM with a body that's pretty but a bit too big. Thus I keep going back to the KMM.
The Royal FP is a nice mid-point between those two, with the same mechanism, physical size about the same as KMM, but with an updated style and smooth finish appropriate for the late '50s / early '60s. More understated than the Empress for sure. I have one and it might be my favorite machine overall.
I'm having one of these professionally restored. Very excited to get it back when it's done.
I really enjoy my avocado green example. I recovered the platen and now it works great. The look is really 60s. I even made a color matched rolling typing table to make this machine easier to use.
Glad you found a nice example of this fun machine.
My Royal Empress was in pretty ugly smoke stained condition when I got her. I DID paint mine lilac and made a custom Royal logo with flowers for the front 😃🌼 It was the first one in my collection. I love typing on it.
The Royal HH also has one of those metal feed rollers in the back.
this is my favorite typewrite. mine is robins egg blue and reminds me of the jetsons
These machines were so constantly seen in schools back in the sixties. Of course they were just bloated FP's with cheaper keys. I learned on the 440, the successor to this machine, in the late sixties. I sure wish I could find one as clean as this Empress, I'd snap it up immediately. Thanks so much for sharing!
I own two of these machines, both were manufactured in 1963. The first one that I acquired is "Fawn Gray" in color with a Pica10 CPI typeface, and the second one that came after it is "Aztec Blue" in color and has the Elite 12 CPI typeface. I believe that AMC may very well have been influenced by the Royal Empress' body style when they designed their AMC Pacer cars.
I would like to share with you a little history regarding your Royal Empress manual office typewriter.
I am retired now, at a younger time in my life, I worked for Royal for several years, late 60’s to early 70’s. I was factory trained on the manual and electric line of office typewriters, and was assigned to service calls in the field. I was not trained on portables. Portable typewriter repair (both electric and manual) was not done in the field. Customers had to bring them into the shop.
It is interesting to me you called this model “Empress”. In my tenure with Royal, I was curious as I had never heard that name mentioned regarding this model. That got me to do some research.
I did uncover an original owners manual for the model MC, and sure enough, it states it is an Empress. Wow! I was surprised!
In my day, all Royal office typewriters were referred by their model name, i.e. KMG, HH, FP, MC, etc. Never, did we refer to them with a signature name, i.e Empress.
The sales department, the service department, and factory reps never called this machine an Empress, but rather referred to it as the MC. Royal’s policy was to take whomever was president of the company at the time of engineering of the typewriter, and put his initials as prefix in the serial number.
The only office typewriter Royal made that actually had a model name marque (other than the ROYAL icon) on the front cover plate was the electric office model EB, and it displayed EMPRESS.
In “my opinion”, the best manual typewriters Royal ever made were the HH and the FP. This was the apex of the Royal family. The creme de la creme. These two models were virtually bullet-proof. Could go for years without any service. After the FP, the MC was introduced. And after that the 440. These two later models showed how the company cheapened the machine with stamped frames, cheaper material parts, introduction of plastic, and overall poor quality control. That’s not to say it was a bad machine! Just the beginning of enhanced productivity, higher profit margins. And of course Royal had been taken over by other corporations……and the rest is history.
I thank you for causing me to remember these fond memories. I enjoy your videos.
Thank you!
Also, author Earl Hamner Jr. Saw a picture of him at his home with this model in the background. He wrote Spencer's Mountain on a 50s QDL.
Love it ! 60's style is soooo beautiful. I'll see il we could find it here in France !
I like the look of the Empress, it's got nice curves. Looks like Kevin got himself a good deal. Yes, I agree that Kevin is going to be missed, I hope he can still make an appearance on your channel from time to time? 🤞
Lovely design, in my view. With everything you said, and all considered, I have the impression this might have been made for schools (typing class) or individuals that wanted a more affordable standard as this model would not have been as costly to make as a business typewriter. We'd have to check any ads or commercial litterature for the original price to validate my thoughts. Thanks for sharing! Daniel
On Ebay currently are Okuda’s design, drawings, modeling, Royal/Mcbee ppwk, ad work, etc for the Empress.
The splotch on the top of the carriage release lever I think is not a splotch.
On my Royal Empress that exact area had cracked in the exact same shape and I’m just figuring out how to repair it. I think it’s where the part would give way as it’s bolted down and the material wasn’t strong enough.
I think yours has been re-glued back together.
Thank you!
I have my grandmother's that she used to teach typing. We are currently trying to clean it up... the spacebar isn't functioning correctly and most of the keys dont advance the carriage
Hey Joe- if you don't have one already, would you be able to create a "Joe and Kevin" playlist on your channel, please?
I picked up one of these at an Auction Sale. Wifey bid and won one of those Aluminum Christmas Trees with a Color Wheel and they were going to throw in the trash a mint Royal Empress Elite. I said I'll take it. Cleaned it up and it really is in mint condition. Had to oil it a bit fixing some sticky hammers. Needs a Ribbon, which one do I need and where can I obtain a new ribbon? Its really a quality machine and visually appealing.
Contact Ribbons Unlimited, either their website or just call up Lanie, he’s very helpful.
I have seen one at my local antique store. And I tell ya, that is a fat boy, I mean compared to the machines I'm used to, wow that's a fay boy.
Looks like a very nice typewriter. So I have to ask, is Kevin moving permanently to Idaho Falls? If so, he is going to be missed on this channel.
Yes he is 😞
❤️
I have an Empress, and I like it but I keep thinking that it is basically a KMM with a body that's pretty but a bit too big. Thus I keep going back to the KMM.
The Royal FP is a nice mid-point between those two, with the same mechanism, physical size about the same as KMM, but with an updated style and smooth finish appropriate for the late '50s / early '60s. More understated than the Empress for sure. I have one and it might be my favorite machine overall.