The last time that I updated this blog I noted that it had been more than a year since my last typewriter purchase. Yet I haven’t written about that machine as of yet. This is partly because the typewriter was not working when I received it, nor was I expecting it to based on the images included with the listing. After the machine sat unused all last Winter, I finally got around to fixing it this past Spring. This is a good thing as I ended up really liking this typewriter.
The typewriter that I speak of is a British-made machine — a 1958 Imperial Good Companion 5 (or GC5 for short) to be specific. In all honesty, I was pretty far along in my typewriter journey before I even became aware of Imperial typewriters (and only then thanks to the PBS Masterpiece show “Endeavour”, which prominently features many machines from this make). I do not know if it holds true for every variation of the Good Companion series, but the GC5 is on the small side as far as portable typewriters go. The feel of the example I own is reminiscent of the German makes that I tend to favor, most notably the Torpedo 18.
There is at least one source that I’ve come to trust (Robert Messenger’s ozTypewriter blog) that has reported of a collaboration between Torpedo and Imperial when it came to the development of the Good Companion typewriter. How that might play into the GC5 in particular is beyond me (if that is even the case). What I can say based on the GC5 that I’ve come to own is that if you like the feel of the Torpedo 18 (or 18b), then you would likely enjoy the feel of the Imperial GC5 as well.
There are a few things about the Good Companion machines that should be pointed out. For example, Imperial seemed to flip-flop between carriage-shift and segment-shift designs. So while the GC4 and GC6 are carriage-shift designs, the GC5 and GC7 are segment-shift designs. (I did not look into those designs earlier than the GC4 as they did not really interest me.)
Another thing worth noting is that apparently a number of the Good Companions experienced problems with the grease inside of the mainspring drum (introduced during construction) coagulating over time. This effectively stops the machine in its tracks (and was the problem that the example I purchased was experiencing). I was able to resolve this problem by applying a solvent to help break down the solidified grease. Though I could have been a bit more thorough with my cleaning, the problem has not returned in the half year plus that I’ve been using this Imperial.
As I alluded to earlier, now that my GC5 is working, I’ve realy been enjoying this machine. I was drawn to the Good Companion 5 in particular not only for the segment-shift design, but also for the looks of this particular model. The carriage return lever twisting in every which direction is incredibly funky looking and I really like the overall lines of this design. In addition, unlike most of my other typewriters that make use of keys and levers for things ike the margin release, bichrome selector, touch control, and tab set/clear, the Imperial makes use of button and dials that have been incorporated into the body shell.
In closing, were I to sum up the Imperial Good Companion 5 with just one word, it would be “unique”. In this case, that would be unique in a good way. Even should I never end up buying another typewriter, I feel as if I’ve ended on a high note as far as this GC5 is concerned.
AFTERTHOUGHTS: In my post above I noted that there had been a collaboration between Torpedo and Imperial, but that probably wasn’t the best choice of wording. Looking over Robert Messenger’s blog once again to check my memory, it seems that things were a bit more convoluted. Apparently the designer that developed the segment-shift mechanism found in the portable machines from both makes was originally on assignment with Torpedo before he wound up at Imperial. For a better understanding, I would suggest that you check out this blog post over on Robert’s site.
My apologies for the somewhat poor legibility of the typecast portion of this post. After I got the Good Companion 5 working once again, I treated it to a new ribbon, which I had picked up from Type Space located just a short walk away from my home. After noticing just how goopy this ribbon from the tail end of his bulk reel looked, Tony (the owner of Type Space) offered to re-spool some ribbon from another reel if I wanted to wait, or he would let me have the goopy one (Tony’s wording) for free. As he already had a couple of other customers there in the shop waiting for him, I took him up on his bargain offer. Replacing the ribbon with another one that didn’t contain quite so much ink would no doubt help with the legibility of the type. However, as bargains are so few and far between these days, I’m getting all that I can out of the goopy ribbon.
More recently I determined that I owned enough typewriters to justify the purchase of a bulk reel of black & red ribbon for myself. (If I want to purchase ribbons in custom colors I can always just walk over to Type Space.) So last week I finally got around to contacting the fine folks at Baco Ribbon & Supply located in Ballwin, Missouri. They really took great care of me. I called in my order late on Monday afternoon, just before they closed. By Wednesday I had the ribbon in my hands — no worries as it was sealed in a Ziploc bag.
If you are in need of just about anything typewriter related, then I highly recommend Type Space. If Tony doesn’t have what you are looking for, then chances are that he can source it for you. If you are in need of typewriter ribbon in particular, then I highly recommend Baco Ribbon & Supply (phone: 314-835-9300). For what it’s worth, these businesses aren’t even aware that I am recommending them. But as a very satisfied customer of both places I am very glad to do so. Personally I think it’s pretty cool that so many of the businesses associated with typewriters that I’ve encountered thus far in my journey happen to be standup operations that take good care of their customers.
Good to see you again Bill. Nice write up on a classy looking machine. This is anecdotal, but it seems the European machines find aesthetic as important as function.
-Mike
Thanks Mike. I can only imagine that aesthetics were important to all manufacturers at the time. What I find interesting is comparing the different end results, not only how they impact us visually, but physically as well.
Growing up in the middle of nowhere in the pre-Internet era, I wasn’t even aware of Industrial Design as a profession when I was young, I surely would have been more drawn to this field than the engineering path that I ended up following in college. For that matter, it is highly likely that the guidance counselor in my small high school of 400 students back in the 70’s had no idea that such options existed either.
I like the imprint of your IGP. Sloppy is better than too faint, in my book!
Thanks Joe. I’m in agreement with you.
I actually typed up this post back in December, but only got around to posting it this week. As I didn’t already have an image of the GC5 to use for this post, I ended up capturing a number of them — enough to create a new gallery listing on the Typewriter Database. While I was at it, I also created a type sample so that I could capture an image of that as well. Comparing that type sample with the typecast portion of this post, I can see that the ribbon is now a bit less sloppy.
Ooh, never played with either a Torpedo or a GC5 – somebody bring them to a type in, please! 😀
On the other hand, should you ever find yourself in Portland…
By the way, you might be glad to know that this Imperial now appears in the Typewriter Database.
Yay! 😀
Nice curves! That bold, dark imprint leaves nothing to the imagination.
Ha, that’s one way to put it. Now that I have a bulk reel from Baco (like the one you bought long ago), I’ve thought about replacing the ribbon on the Imperial with a “less goopy” one. However, given that the output of the Good Companion is still readable and certainly not faint, I’m leaving well enough alone for now. Thanks Mei.