Compared with a Hermes for $125 I think you would have been very disappointed in any Olympia for $300. The typewriter that got me started was a Smith-Corona Classic 12. I wanted a replacement for it. Like you, when I searched on line there was so much information it was overwhelming. With a few emails with some Typospherians I had previously never known about I got a Hermes 3000. Fine typewirter. Better than most Olympia typewriters. My SM3 is quite nice even though I have a near new SM9 the SM3 is much faster and snappier. However I still migrate to my favorites, Underwood or a Royal HH. Funny how that one typewriter mutated into over 50 plus the ones that are now at WordPlay or the CTP.
I loved this story, especially knowing it to be true-to-life. I think all of us typewriter nuts can relate, each machine has its own feel and personality.
Please keep writing and posting. I really like your work.
Our stories are similiar, except I started with a '48 QDL. It was the H3000 and the discovery of the Typosphere that kicked into an obsession, though. (:
We all have our trials and tribulations we must go through on the way to The Perfect Typewriter ... I don't think you should be ashamed of the Roytype. It was a starter. And as a 21st-century typewriter, it is a collectible curiosity in its own way.
That's a great story. It is always interesting to hear about how someone fell into the passion of collecting such machines. Great to see you had time to sit down and write it! Kudos to you. THanks for that!
I think the worse thing that can happen at an early stage is to discover "you are not alone" in your compulsion. All of sudden the mist rises and there's a horde of fellow typewriter nuts seeming to normalise a growing obsession. It is a good feeling and of course I covet your chocolatey SM4 :-)
How do you feel about the Model 1? I have never been very impressed with mine, though I do find it to be one of the prettiest typewriters I own. You are talking about the "Noisy Noiseless", right?
Compared with a Hermes for $125 I think you would have been very disappointed in any Olympia for $300. The typewriter that got me started was a Smith-Corona Classic 12. I wanted a replacement for it. Like you, when I searched on line there was so much information it was overwhelming. With a few emails with some Typospherians I had previously never known about I got a Hermes 3000. Fine typewirter. Better than most Olympia typewriters. My SM3 is quite nice even though I have a near new SM9 the SM3 is much faster and snappier. However I still migrate to my favorites, Underwood or a Royal HH. Funny how that one typewriter mutated into over 50 plus the ones that are now at WordPlay or the CTP.
ReplyDeleteI loved this story, especially knowing it to be true-to-life. I think all of us typewriter nuts can relate, each machine has its own feel and personality.
ReplyDeletePlease keep writing and posting. I really like your work.
A shitty typewriter is better than no typewriter, methinks. My first was a 1947 Royal Quiet Deluxe.
ReplyDeleteOur stories are similiar, except I started with a '48 QDL. It was the H3000 and the discovery of the Typosphere that kicked into an obsession, though. (:
ReplyDeleteWe all have our trials and tribulations we must go through on the way to The Perfect Typewriter ... I don't think you should be ashamed of the Roytype. It was a starter. And as a 21st-century typewriter, it is a collectible curiosity in its own way.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great story. It is always interesting to hear about how someone fell into the passion of collecting such machines. Great to see you had time to sit down and write it! Kudos to you. THanks for that!
ReplyDeleteI think the worse thing that can happen at an early stage is to discover "you are not alone" in your compulsion. All of sudden the mist rises and there's a horde of fellow typewriter nuts seeming to normalise a growing obsession. It is a good feeling and of course I covet your chocolatey SM4 :-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting reading. I was wondering... How do you deal with the noise when you type in a bar?
ReplyDeleteI am not bothered by the noise of a bar, it is usually easier for me to concentrate with background noise than in silence.
DeleteGee, why does this sound so familiar? Oh right, I spent all that time online too before taking a chance on a Remington Rand Model 1.
ReplyDeleteHow do you feel about the Model 1? I have never been very impressed with mine, though I do find it to be one of the prettiest typewriters I own. You are talking about the "Noisy Noiseless", right?
Delete