Machine Details
Facit
TP1
1961 (Sweden)
P283638
Permanent Collection
Prestige Script, Elite, 12cpi
Segment
QWERTY
Portable
Manual Electric
13.5 × 11.75 × 6"
≈13.5 lbs.
Yes
Machine Description
The Facit TP1 is widely regarded by typewriter collectors and enthusiasts as one of the best and smoothest portable typewriters ever made. Praised for its excellent ergonomics, Swedish engineering, and chic, minimalist design, it is a highly sought-after machine for both casual typing and travel.
This Swedish-made typewriter is reportedly so common in Sweden as to be “boring,” but is a delight to find and own here in the States. It’s build is solid and well-engineered.
In Sweden, it’s known as the Privat (Series 1) while the “TP1” designation was used for export markets.
The Facit TP1 was designed by Sigvard Bernadotte: a noted industrial designer, Swedish royal prince, and great-grandson to Queen Victoria.
While the TP1s were made with a range of typefaces, this one has the rarer “Prestige Script.”
Serial Number Location:
Under ribbon cover, stamped on the frame on the right side
Accessories / Ephemera
Manual, Typing by Touch instructional manual
Features
- Tabulator
- Ribbon Selector Bichrome + Stencil
- Variable Line Spacing
- Margin Release
- Touch Selector
- Paper Support
- Carriage Lock
Condition Report
Very clean. A small nick on the front face.
Very responsive and light. Certain characters (periods, dash, forward slash) need a very light touch to avoid punching through the paper (and ribbon)
Good. Moves with relatively light touch, good action.
Smooth and mostly very clean (a few specks of correction tape or fluid)
Smooth & works as expected.
Accurate
Accurate
Great
Solid & functional. One original (or older) ribbon spool.
Bell is very light in sound. Barely heard when typing.
Logo on back of machine is in good condition.
Good condition.
Case Condition Notes
A few minor scuffs or scratches. Overall, very good & clean. Some rusting of the front chrome latch mechanism.
Provenance
Primary A
Related Resources
- Facit TP1 portable – The Prince of Typewriters (via Oz Typewriter)
- Facit TP1 Brochure (1960) (PDF, via Richard Polt)
- Munk.org Facit Typefaces Page (via Theodore Munk)
- Facit's Typeboard Layouts & Typefaces (PDF, via Richard Polt)
- Facit Typewriter Resources Page (via Jonathan Crowe)
- The FACIT Model, A Note About the Type (by Jens Schildt and Matthias Kreutzer, 2019)
- Facit TP1 Typewriter Revolution Blog Post
- Facit TP1s on the Typewriter Database
Type Specimen
