My Jolson Alma (or Alma Jolson) is not so nice, but it has the same typeface. My serial number, A-04018, is stamped into the inside base of the machine just in front of the right ribbon spool.
According to Wikipedia, "In 1920, [Al] Jolson began a relationship with Broadway actress Alma Osbourne (known professionally as Ethel Delmar); the two were married in August 1922. Alma divorced Jolson in 1928." So there was an Alma Jolson -- but would a typewriter be named after her in the 1950s??
I'm e-mailing you a page from the Remington records that shows that the model was advertised for $54.95 by Macy's in May 1955.
PPS: The digital text on your blog appears minuscule. I have to increase the size of the page to read it comfortably. I wonder whether you might change this.
I've added "Pozzi" as a manufacturer in the Database, under the assumption that they made licensed Antares clones rather than rebranding actual Antares-made machines. (and this model name would then be a Pozzi "Jolson Alma"?) Does that sound about right?
Hard to say. It's all a mystery at this point! Based on what Richard sent me, it looks like there ought to be more rebrandings with the plastic inset logo out there.
Interesting. I suppose they'd all be manufactured by "Pozzi" in Milan, and just the label on the ribbon cover would change? I wonder if "Jolson Alma" was the name of some store chain in Italy, like "Sears" was here in the US?
Hmmn, well this photo: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EL7TsJ8x3Xg/Umi2aSKZVMI/AAAAAAAAC0o/6Xrv1h1zGxE/s1600/phlsphthght-231-5-231013.JPG shows the tag which claims it was manufactured by Organizzazione Pozzi S.p.A. in Milan, Italy. thus, my thinking is that it's an Antares pattern manufactured (perhaps under license) by Pozzi for export. So does the Macy's ad show the "Jolson Alma" nameplate?
I think mine's a different typeface but I really like to use it - I like the action better than, say, my Hermes Baby. Utter rubbish compared to a Kolibri or a Lettera but it IS a bit smaller than a Lettera.
Yours looks so much nicer than these Alma Jolsons! I love the green paint, and of course, the Antares logo. I'm not that fond of this one's touch, it feels a bit forced really, and I do prefer an Hermes Baby to it.
There was a person named Jolson who imported Italian-made Necchi sewing machines in the 1950s. (See: https://www.vdta.com/HOF/Jolson.html). So, he might have decided to branch out and import Italian typewriters as well.
Thanks for the information. From what I got from Richard Polt, using information that Remington had collected in the 1950s, Jolson typewriters were sold by Macys, but that still doesn't explain where the Jolson name came from so your speculation might be right. Typewriters and sewing machines have been linked many times before.
I recently got a similar antares.
ReplyDeleteThey're quite oversimplified but they do their job.
And what a nice pica typeface!
My Jolson Alma (or Alma Jolson) is not so nice, but it has the same typeface. My serial number, A-04018, is stamped into the inside base of the machine just in front of the right ribbon spool.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Wikipedia, "In 1920, [Al] Jolson began a relationship with Broadway actress Alma Osbourne (known professionally as Ethel Delmar); the two were married in August 1922. Alma divorced Jolson in 1928." So there was an Alma Jolson -- but would a typewriter be named after her in the 1950s??
I'm e-mailing you a page from the Remington records that shows that the model was advertised for $54.95 by Macy's in May 1955.
I can see a place for the serial number there, but it's blank on mine!
DeleteWhat a strange connection...
PS: Great foggy photos!
ReplyDeletePPS: The digital text on your blog appears minuscule. I have to increase the size of the page to read it comfortably. I wonder whether you might change this.
I'll see what I can do. Or I could just type every typecast in Micro Diamond. ;)
DeleteI've added "Pozzi" as a manufacturer in the Database, under the assumption that they made licensed Antares clones rather than rebranding actual Antares-made machines. (and this model name would then be a Pozzi "Jolson Alma"?) Does that sound about right?
ReplyDeleteHard to say. It's all a mystery at this point! Based on what Richard sent me, it looks like there ought to be more rebrandings with the plastic inset logo out there.
DeleteInteresting. I suppose they'd all be manufactured by "Pozzi" in Milan, and just the label on the ribbon cover would change? I wonder if "Jolson Alma" was the name of some store chain in Italy, like "Sears" was here in the US?
DeleteI don't know about the manufacturer, but it was advertised by Macy's in 1955. That's all we know.
DeleteHmmn, well this photo:
Deletehttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EL7TsJ8x3Xg/Umi2aSKZVMI/AAAAAAAAC0o/6Xrv1h1zGxE/s1600/phlsphthght-231-5-231013.JPG
shows the tag which claims it was manufactured by Organizzazione Pozzi S.p.A. in Milan, Italy. thus, my thinking is that it's an Antares pattern manufactured (perhaps under license) by Pozzi for export. So does the Macy's ad show the "Jolson Alma" nameplate?
I think mine's a different typeface but I really like to use it - I like the action better than, say, my Hermes Baby. Utter rubbish compared to a Kolibri or a Lettera but it IS a bit smaller than a Lettera.
ReplyDeleteYours looks so much nicer than these Alma Jolsons! I love the green paint, and of course, the Antares logo. I'm not that fond of this one's touch, it feels a bit forced really, and I do prefer an Hermes Baby to it.
DeleteMy Parva's typeface looks pretty similar to this.
ReplyDeleteLooks the same to me. I wonder why ours have this pica typeface while Rob's has a different, more average looking one.
DeleteThere was a person named Jolson who imported Italian-made Necchi sewing machines in the 1950s. (See: https://www.vdta.com/HOF/Jolson.html). So, he might have decided to branch out and import Italian typewriters as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information. From what I got from Richard Polt, using information that Remington had collected in the 1950s, Jolson typewriters were sold by Macys, but that still doesn't explain where the Jolson name came from so your speculation might be right. Typewriters and sewing machines have been linked many times before.
Delete