I was quite lucky recently to acquire an original BURROUGHS sales brochure, printed in November 1933.  On this and the following pages, we'll reproduce a great deal of the content of this brochure.   The Burroughs is still a somewhat obscure machine, even though a number of them have survived.  In ETCetera, an article recently appeared on the Burroughs (by myself and the fine technicians at Your Typewriter & Computer, Inc.) which discussed the design and history.  Here, we'll look at the sales material Burroughs produced with the hope that the machine could survive in both a difficult competitive environment (due to the number of established makers) and a difficult economic environment (since the machine was introduced during the Great Depression.)  More comments will follow; but for now, enjoy!
If you were to buy a typewriter because of appearance alone
  No one, of course, buys a typewriter solely because it is beautiful to look at.  But every business man realizes that, after utility has been considered, the appearance of his office equipment is an important factor.  It creates a desirable atmosphere of modernness which is stimulating to employee and attractive to customer.  Then too, exterior appearance is very often an index of built-in quality.
  The Burroughs Typewriter is a beautiful machine.  Enclosed on all sides, finished in combination black crystal and enamel, with many parts chromium plated, it speaks quietly but eloquently of fine workmanship, advanced design.  If you were to buy a typewriter for appearance alone, your choice would be the Burroughs.
You'll enjoy the Quiet Operation of the Burroughs
  The Burroughs Standard Typewriter is unusually quiet.  Its distinctive silenced construction, developed by Burroughs, quiets not only the sound of the type striking the platen, but all other machine noises so common to typewriters.
  This quietness of operation has been achieved by Burroughs without sacrificing light, easy key action or the sturdiness and durability of standard construction.
  Because of this unusual feature, the Burroughs is used in many offices where the noise of an ordinary typewriter would make business conversations impossible.
  In departments where a large number of typewriters are used, the quiet Burroughs materially lessens noise and the resultant nervous fatigue, and proportionately increases department efficiency.
You can rely on the Quality of Burroughs Construction
  The Burroughs Standard Typewriter is the product of half a century's experience in building office machines requiring the greatest precision of manufacture.  Burroughs is the world's largest and oldest manufacturer of adding, bookkeeping, calculating and billing machines.  The Burroughs factory is therefore equipped, and Burroughs workmen are trained, for precision work.  Precision of manufacture insures smoothness of operation, freedom from mechanical troubles, and long life.
- A Thoroughly New Machine -
Engineers were given a free hand in designing the Burroughs.  They had no designs to change -- no tools to scrap.  They selected only the best features known to typewriter construction.  The result is a typewriter of traditional Burroughs quality, combining advantages never before found in one machine.
  Not only is the Burroughs advanced in design and appearance, but it is constructed throughout of the finest materials.  Parts frequently manipulated by the operator are plated with chromium, adding to beauty and durability.  Rust-proof cadmium plating is used on unexposed parts.  Provisions for adjustments have been built in at important bearing points, a fine example of engineering forethought, eliminating the need for premature repairs, and extending the life of the machine.

Economy of Long Life.
  Nothing has been overlooked in the production of a typewriter of the highest quality and usefulness.  When these facts are considered, it will become apparent that to many other advantages of the Burroughs Typewriter may be added that of economy, based on performance and long life.
The Burroughs Carriage Is an Example of Superior Construction
 The carriage of a typewriter must stand more abuse than any other part of the machine.  The Burroughs carriage is as efficient as fifty years' experience in building heavy-duty machine carriages can make it.  It is strongly built, and so perfectly balanced on its ball-bearing rollers that its movement is remarkably smooth.  And the Burroughs correspondence-size carriage accommodates sheets up to 11 inches wide and provides a 10-inch writing line.  This unusual capacity is convenient for addressing large envelopes or writing on wide paper or forms.
One of the distinctive features of the Burroughs carriage is the Variable Line Spacer.  This device, which permits accurate, positive fractional spacing of lines is exactly the same unit that is used on the finest Burroughs accounting machines.
On the Burroughs all features are easily accessible . . .
 On the Burroughs will be found many new and improved features which are here combined on one machine to give the maximum of service, convenience, ease and speed of operation.  And one of the outstanding advantages of the Burroughs is that all features are easily accessible.  In the photograph here, various operating features are emphasized, showing their ready accessibility.  Tab stops are in full view and within easy reach; margin stops are on the front scale.  The ribbon mechanism is controlled from the front; Tab key, Margin Release key and Back Space key are just above the numeral keys.  Results: greater ease of operation, greater production.