ODELL Nº1B YEAR 1890

Very rare Odell 1B typewriter, manufactured in 1890, by Odell Typewriter Co., in Chicago, USA.

The Odell is one of the most characteristic American index typewriters. It has a bar where the different characters are printed in relief at the bottom. By choosing the desired character and pressing down on the type bar, the character is printed on the paper. It has two levers on the left side that serve as a space bar and a bar to move the car freely. This antique typewriter does not have a reel with inked ribbon, but rather a pad that inks the characters each time the paper is printed. Odell machines are easily recognizable by their design, especially their circular base. In later models, the base has an Art Deco decoration, but this earlier model has drawings reminiscent of those made by Native Americans. Parallel to the type bar we see an identification plate with the name of the company and place of manufacture. In later models the model number was engraved. This model, the Odell 1B, is a fairly difficult machine to obtain, while the 1A is practically impossible... there are about 5 copies around the world (at least that are known). More common are Odell 2 and 4, while 3 and 5 are also rare.

It is in excellent condition and works correctly, especially if we take into account that it is 132 years old. We bought the machine as you see it, but it has been disassembled, cleaned and polished so it looks like it just came out of the factory. Its aesthetics are very innovative and elegant, being a clear example of how well objects were designed and machined at the end of the 19th century.

Odell Typewriter schreibmaschine machine a ecrire.

HISTORY:

The Odell typewriters owe their design to Levi Judson Odell, who obtained the first patent for them as early as 1871, at the young age of 16. In total, Levi J. Odell obtained 17 patents throughout his life, being referred to by a local newspaper as "The Patent Genius." He not only obtained patents for typewriters, but for a large number of tools and utensils, such as bread slicers, agricultural machinery, razor blades, etc.

The first patent granted for a typewriter was on March 5, 1889, although it was applied for as early as 1887.

The machine in that first patent is known as the Odell 1A and was different from all those that followed it. It had an elongated body, lacked a round base and was topped at the four corners by legs in the shape of a lion's claw. We have to say that the Odell 1A is a super rare machine, of which there are about 5 examples around the world and we were lucky enough to acquire one of them.

75% of the patent was assigned to John E. Burton, a businessman and investor who owned mining businesses, and Charles H. Odell, Levi's brother. In 1887 the Odell Typewriter Company was created in Lake Geneva, WI, USA, at 529 Main Street. 50% of the company belonged to Mr. Burton, who held part of the rights to the first patent. Therefore, the first place where Odell manufactured its machines and had its headquarters was in Lake Geneva. Shortly afterward he opened several branches, or at least one of them was in Chicago.

As we said previously, the first patent for the Odell 1A was applied for in 1887, and in 1888 the patent for the Odell 1B was applied for. This patent was granted in full to Levi Odell in 1890. There are some Odell 1Bs that do not have a gold base, it is believed that they were sold by third parties and that they were transitional machines between model 1B and 2. All Odell 1A were marked "Patent Pending" and Lake Geneva as the manufacturing location. In the Odell 1B we can see specimens marked as "Patent pending" and population "Lake Geneva" and others as "Patented" and population "Chicago". The Odell 1A and 1B marked "Patent Pending" were manufactured between 1887 and 1890 and those marked "Patented" were manufactured at least beginning in August 1890, the month in which the company moved to Chicago. It is also very likely that all 1Bs were made in 1890 and only the 1A in 1887 or 1888.

The year 1890 was a busy one for the Odell company. Apart from moving his company and machine manufacturing to Chicago, Odell applied for his third patent for a typewriter, even though he had not yet been granted the second. This third patent was granted in August 1891 and the machine added a bell to announce the end of the carriage and could write in upper and lower case. This model is known as Odell Nº2. This example was manufactured from 1890 to 1900. This patent would last until 1908, so for the business to be lucrative it would have to obtain a new patent before that date, otherwise the other brands could use its ideas. Although being original was very difficult and the Odell company was also accused of plagiarism. The Odell 1A is a machine that in essence is largely reminiscent of the Sun Index, for example. Odell had several disputes in the last decade of the 19th century, one of them was with a shareholder from whom they never received the money, another was with the Sears department store, which had ordered 100 machines and ultimately did not comply. The fact is that for various reasons the Odell company was not fully financed and went bankrupt in 1900. This did not mean the end for Odell machines, but it did mean the end for the Odell Typewriter Company.

A new company, the Odell Young Typewriter Company, based in Chicago, began manufacturing the Odell No. 3 in 1900. The only difference between the No. 2 and the No. 3 is the semicircular shape where the identification plate goes. It is assumed that the old Odell company had nothing to do with the new Odell Young, although they sold the same machine except for a slight difference. It is possible that it was established this way so as not to have to be legally accountable to anyone, since the old Odell went bankrupt. Levi Odell denied any relationship. In 1904 the Odell Young Typewriter met the same end as the old Odell, it ended up closing its doors due to bankruptcy. Even in 1905, some Odell No. 3s were sold, probably to use up any stocks left in the factory.

In 1903 the Odell No. 4 was launched on the market, this time sold by Farquhar & Albrecht, which differs from the No. 3 in the model name and the name of the company that appears on the identification plate. Farquhar & Albrecht was a book and school supplies company. Again, the Odell machine would be sold at Sears stores in 1903 and 1904.

In 1906, the last model, the Odell No. 5 was manufactured by America Comapany, established in Momence, IL. The differences between model 4 and 5 are the model number and the company name in the semicircular part, or the fact that Chicago or Momence was listed as the manufacturing location. And it continues to maintain the same drawing on the circular base. Gustave A. Albrecht, director and president of Farquhar & Albrecht, was listed as a director of America Company in 1906. With the new factory in Momence, Odell went from being sold by Farquhar & Albrecht to being sold by America Typewriter. There is another Odell Nº5 model with the name "America Type Writer 5" exclusively, and with the round base design completely different from the previous models. A different drawing, very beautiful by the way and turning this model into a highly sought-after specimen by collectors. It is assumed that Levi Odell no longer had anything to do with these companies, but curiously, in 1906 he moved to live in Momence, where the Odell Nº5 was manufactured. Again, history repeats itself and America Company declared bankruptcy the same year they built the new factory. In 1907 they were forced to sell the factory, tools, supplies and the letters of the patents for the Odell machine.

However, in 1907, Levi Judson Odell applied for a patent for a new typewriter, extremely similar in appearance to the Odell. Let us remember that Odell's patent expired in 1908 and this new patent was granted in 1909, securing the rights until 1926. This new machine maintains a very similar design to the Odell with differences mainly in the base. Now it will be made of smooth metal, enamelled in glossy black and decorated with decals. Thus the company reduced production costs. This new machine will be the "New American Nº5", manufactured by the new company "New American Manufacturing Company". Apart from the similarities in the design, we also have them in the name of the old America Company with the new name of the company New American M.Co. The assignee of this patent was Gustave A. Albrecht, of Chicago, who still in 1909 was listed as president of Farquhar & Albrecht Company and which was the company that manufactured the Odell No. 4. Let us remember that Albrecht was also director of America Company, the company that manufactured the Odell Nº5. And curiously, a descendant of Albrecht was a director of the New American Manufacturing Company in 1907, the year in which America Company went bankrupt and the same year in which Levi Odell applied for his patent for the new American No. 5.

In 1910 Levi Odell founded, together with two of his brothers, the Odell Manufacturing Company, in California. This new company would be dedicated to the manufacture of razors. Let us remember that Levi obtained patents for typewriters, farming tools and razors, among others. In fact, his last seven patents revolve around safety razors. And it was certainly successful, Odell razors are appreciated by collectors around the world.

In 1919, Levi died at the age of 64 in Los Angeles, California. Without a doubt, it is a fascinating story about Levi and Odell's machines that, thanks to them, collectors from all over the world enjoy today.

Age: 1890

Measures:

Condition: Excellent

Reference: 12685

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