Ultra-Rare 1934 Imperial Good Companion Model 1 (Bespoke Secretarial Case & New Platen)

Presenting an extraordinarily rare piece of British mechanical history: an early 1934 Imperial Good Companion Model 1 (Serial N 749), uniquely housed in an original, bespoke Imperial stationary / secretarial-style carrying case with an integrated supplies compartment.

Having restored and sold over 100 Imperial typewriters in our UK workshop, this is only the 3rd unit ever. Featuring early-edition black key ring surrounds and pristine gold decals, this machine represents one of the finest surviving examples of the Good Companion line anywhere in the world. Fully overhauled and workshop-tested by BBC’s The Repair Shop featured experts Walid Saad & Joujou.

Mechanical Condition & Workshop Overhaul

• Brand-New Platen Roller Installed: Professionally fitted with a fresh rubber platen to significantly dampen typing sound, prevent paper puncture, and produce razor-sharp imprints. Plus all new washers around the frame for stability of the frame. 

• 100% Fully Functional: Deep-flushed, chemically cleaned, escapement-calibrated, and fitted with fresh internal washers to ensure rock-solid stability and quiet, fluid key action.

• Original Metal Spools: Equipped with a fresh dual-colour black & red fabric ribbon precision-wound directly onto the original pre-war Imperial spools.

Cosmetic Condition & Bespoke Accessories

• Frame & Decals: The original gloss black body is in excellent vintage condition with minor, authentic signs of age. Decals  remain clear and well-preserved (please inspect detailed photos). Letter "G" is the most obvious fading. 

• Rare Secretarial Stationary Case: Includes its original, highly sought-after secretarial-style hard case featuring a built-in internal compartment for stationery, envelopes, and ribbons. Shows typical vintage character inside and out.

• Original Documentation: Supplied complete with its original user manual.

Keyboard Layout & Technical Specifications

• Brand & Model: Imperial Good Companion Model 1 (Serial N 749)

• Year of Manufacture: 1934 (Leicester, England)

• Keyboard Layout: Classic QWERTY Keyboard

• Typeface / Font: Classic PICA Typeface (10 characters per inch / 10 CPI)

• Platen: Brand-New Vulcanized Rubber Roller

• Case Type: Original Imperial Secretarial Stationary Case

Quick Specifications Overview

Why This Imperial Good Companion Model 1 Stands Out

This isn’t simply a typewriter—it’s an museum-grade collector’s treasure. The extreme rarity of the secretarial-style stationary case, combined with its early 1934 low serial number, new platen investment, and provenance as a personal collection piece since 2020, makes this one-of-a-kind in the world of vintage writing instruments.

🌍 Global Shipping, Timelines & Tariff Information

• 🇺🇸 United States & 🇬🇧 United Kingdom Shipping (100% Free & All-Inclusive): Standard local & international shipping to the US and UK is completely free and included in the listed price. Furthermore, all US import tariffs and customs duties are fully prepaid by our workshop. There are absolutely zero hidden checkout fees, surprise border holds, or cash-on-delivery demands at your door.

• 🌐 International Shipping (Europe, Australia, Canada & Rest of World): We dispatch all website orders in less than 24 hours. We offer flexible, fully tracked premium shipping options calculated at checkout:

  • Standard International Delivery: Safely delivered via premium air courier directly to your doorstep in 3 to 7 working days (with prompt EU dispatch and highly competitive rates to Australia and remote destinations).

  • Express International Delivery Upgrade: Arrives at your door in just 1 to 3 working days for a small additional fee.

• Proprietary Global Packaging Protocol: To ensure a 1930s classic survives international air travel perfectly, we mechanically lock down the carriage, insulate the outer frame in multi-layered shock-absorbing cushioning, and suspend the entire unit within a heavy-duty, double-walled outer shipping carton.

🤝 The "Ready-to-Write" Package & Lifetime Support

• Unbox & Start Writing: Your Imperial Good Companion arrives pre-installed with a fresh ink ribbon and our primary step-by-step startup instructions designed by our workshop team. Simply unbox, release the carriage lock, and begin typing immediately.

• Video Learning Academy: Your package includes a direct link to our dedicated YouTube video tutorial, teaching you exactly how to type on, care for, adjust the margins, and change ink ribbons on your specific Imperial Model 1 typewriter.

• Lifetime Technical Partnership: Your relationship with our workshop does not end at delivery. Every typewriter we sell comes with lifetime technical support. You receive direct email and video-call troubleshooting access to Walid and Joujou, the celebrated restoration experts from the BBC's The Repair Shop and major Netflix productions.

📖 Questions about pre-war Imperial typewriters or model history? Explore our master guide: Typewriter FAQ: The Ultimate 100 Questions Answered