De Luxe Junior Typewriter

Chosen because it is such a cute little object we hope people may want to find out about it.

De Luxe Junior Typewriter
case solved
Case number - PHSL : 15
A fully functional 'PETITE' typewriter intended for children.
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DesignerUnknown - Wanted
ManufacturerPetite Typewriters
CountryUK
Date1960-69 circa - Wanted
Dimensionswidth 260 mm, depth 120 mm, length 260 mm
Materialsplastic, HIPS, high impact polystyrene
Methodinjection moulded
Colourgreen
InscriptionPatent numbers: 859835 878185 923629 934402 934939 Machine Serial no 1224 C - Made in England Use Ribbon NO T4430 Distributed by Mettoy Playcraft (SALES) Ltd Service Department Petite Typewriters Rye Street New Basford Nottingham
href=" http://www.10most.org.uk/artefact/de-luxe-junior-typewriter"

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Susan Lambert
Susan Lambert
25/04/14

De Luxe Junior typwriter PHSL : 15 Such a perfect toy that works like a grown-up one. Can you help us find the name of its designer?

David Harman Powell
David Harman Powell
25/04/14

My old chum who I worked alongside at Product Design Unit , BIP ------- John Vale MSIA designed the Petite after he left to go freelance about 1958 . His studio was initially in Hagley Road Birmingham.

Susan Lambert
Susan Lambert
27/04/14

Brilliant David. Personal testimony is wonderful. We have dated it to the 1960s - Would you say that 'circa 1958', would be more accurate? I there anyway you kbow what we can date it securely and accurately?

Susan Lambert
Susan Lambert
27/04/14

Hello again David. We say this little typewriter was manufactured by Petite Typewriters but I am wondering if it would have been made by them or if it would be more accurate to say 'manufactured for Petite'? If that were the case, do you know by whom / where it was made? Lots of questions but your experience makes it possible for us to clarify so much.

David Harman Powell
David Harman Powell
04/05/14

Manufactured by Britains Petite Lt , Chelsea St, Notts. John Vale was recommend by the Design Council, Design Advisory Service. to Byron Jardine who commissioned John to redesign the childs toy typewriter. Later named Junior. JV presented a solid model towards the end of 1962 & continued with changes up to 1967. Various internal improvements were made & a Patent was issued in John Vales' name as late as Dec 1991. Several 100.000 were sold.

David Harman Powell
David Harman Powell
04/05/14

Susan……. agreed made from 1962 onwards

Susan Lambert
Susan Lambert
06/05/14

Many thanks, David. Another solved case. Wonderful! Susan

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Case notes

Susan Lambert's picture

De Luxe Junior Typwriter: Case : PHSL : 15

Submitted by Susan Lambert on Thu, 24/04/2014 - 15:53.

Such a perfect toy that works like a grown-up one. Can you help us find the neame of its designer?

Design by John Vale

28/04/2014

Agent Harman Powell writes: My old chum who I worked alongside at Product Design Unit , BIP, John Vale MSIA designed the Petite after he left to go freelance about 1958 . His studio was initially in Hagley Road Birmingham.

We now need a secure date.

Petite confirmed as manufacturer and made from 1962

04/05/2014

More from Agent Harman Powel. He confirms the existing documentation as follows: Manufactured by Britains Petite Lt , Chelsea St, Notts. John Vale was recommend by the Design Council, Design Advisory Service. to Byron Jardine who commissioned John to redesign the childs toy typewriter. Later named Junior. JV presented a solid model towards the end of 1962 & continued with changes up to 1967. Various internal improvements were made & a Patent was issued in John Vales' name as late as Dec 1991. Several 100.000 were sold.

It's wonderful to know another product designed by John Vale. His importance as a realtively early designer in plastics is being filled out. Thank you David Harman-Powell for this information.

Case solved

Designer: John Vale

Date: 1962

Participating agents: David Harman Powell