JAPY Typewriter

[FABphones]

This weekend I took myself off to a Brocante. I have been looking for a black metal typewriter for a while now to sit on my desk next to a Laurent telephone, and wanted one about the same age. I found this. Not a speck of dust on or in it, it's owner appears to have taken good care of it (just a few letters need a tweak upright), everything moves like it was made yesterday, no dings, paintwork good.

I didn't have a clue what I had actually bought so I had to do a bit of research. It is a JAPY 121, made in Paris, France. This one dates from approximately 1942 (they were made between 1937-1946) so age 75+ it sits nicely alongside the Laurent.

I was asked, will I use it. A chorus of 'NO' filled the room. But actually, thinking about it, yes. It will give a realistic enough font for typing numbers onto dialcard copies.

It cost €18 and came with two sets of original spool ribbons (one set still boxed), and its original dust cover.

Photos below of the JAPY factory in Paris (can anyone name or date that car?), brochures for this model, and the JAPY:

Now I just have to find a dialcard centre for that Laurent....

[andre_janew]

I notice that the keyboard is a bit different than what I have seen as the letters are arranged differently.  Would that be due to age or country of manufacture or both?

[FABphones]

I notice that the keyboard is a bit different than what I have seen as the letters are arranged differently.  Would that be due to age or country of manufacture or both?

AZERTY is the French standard. In the UK we have QUERTY QWERTY.

Opps, a typo     thanks d/p.

[Dan/Panther]

In the United States we have QWERTY.

D/P

[andre_janew]

Thanks guys.

[19and41]

Good looking typewriter.  They make a nice display.