The Typewriter Revolution by Richard Polt

More than 350 pages covering at at least a basic level everything you could think to ask about typewrites. 

Don't forget to check out pages 206, 208-209, and 301!

Massive Typewriter Hoard (and video)

This is just one aisle, the fullest aisle, before I went through it.  Check out this video of the entire room 

Here is the link to Equipping The Saints

Writing Tips

Tim O'Brien's Typewriter

I made an assumption from my encounter with Tim O'Brien that he would prefer to be referred to as Tim rather than Mr. O'Brien.  Something about it seemed more respectful as he is a man of great humility.  I could be wrong but I took a chance.  The link I refer to is here Writers and Their Typewriters

Most Ridiculous

I brought an Olympia SG1 to a bar once a while ago, and wasn't sure how I could ever top that.  Well, here is a 6-pitch SG3. 

Everything about this typewriter is huge. 

Photos of SG3s in college bars are probably pretty rare.

The Anywhere Typewriter

My Typewriter Genesis

And it's not really black, sort of dark grey really... 

I know just where to store it...

Oliver at a Bar

Typewriter Safari

 I often go on "typewriter safaris" but have never documented one.  So today I took a camera so I could show you everything I got to see.

Later style (late 30s to early 40s) LC Smith Super Speed missing the top cover for either $45 or $545, either way not a great deal.  I love these machines but already have one and wouldn't pay much for one with no top. 

Royal KMG, early 50s for $95 with the stand.  I do not know what stands are worth but this was too much for me even though I love these machines.  Besides, I have two in my home already. 

Tower Tabulator probably 1950s for only $20 at a Goodwill.  This is the one with the "atomic logo" and was easily one to take home.  I like these machines and it is a little redundant in my collection so I am likely to resell or trade it after I play with it a bit.  Excellent working shape and so so cosmetic shape. 

Marked down to $20 from $35.  I am not interested in toy typewriters but I figured I'd get a picture. 

Royal Junior depression machine with a rock hard platen and cracked platen knob.  At $59 this was tempting but easy to walk away from given that I do not need more projects and prefer a usable machine to a more rare one.   This would require some more money to become usable.

Olympia SM3 for $125.  This was the only machine behind glass and it did look perfect, even had a manual.  For the right person this is a good price but I am not he and I already have one I bought for WAY way less. 

Smith Corona Electra XT at Goodwill for $8.  I actually sort of like these and if I didn't already have one I might have gotten it.  These can be a challenging resell and I wouldn't get a lot more so I left it.  The one in my collection was a little more at $10 but is in absolutely perfect shape. 

Marked down to $45 from $90 this wide carriage Underwood has been at this consignment shop for over a year and needs a lot of TLC.  I don't really like wide carriage machines anyway. 

Smith Corona Coronet Super 12 with the Coronamatic cartridge marked down from $27 to $13 and with an additional 20% off.  That's less than the cartridge costs but I already have one AND an extra one... these machines are sweet though and at that price are a good move for anyone who doesn't have one.

Only store that seemed sketch enough to leave my camera in the car; this is a cell phone photo. Even though this shop was in a slightly sketch part of town they were asking $500 for this broken LC Smith! 

Earlier Smith Corona 6 series electric for $50 which is pretty ridiculous in my mind.  This machine has been at this store several months.

Corona 4 in Duco Channel Blue for $125 with no case.  No thanks.  It does have both spool covers though...

Remington All-New or early Quiet Riter for only $45 in very good shape.  This is a good deal, but not a good enough deal.  If it's still there after being marked down someday... we'll see.

50s Underwood with excellent touch for just $35.  I don't need another standard right now and I don't want to try and sell it but if someone local wants a good reliable machine I know where to get one.  I saw this machine last time I was at this store and was surprised it hadn't moved.

Really nice Remington Quiet Riter for $38.  I almost got this but it was right on the threshold and I walked away.  Definitely gets my endorsement for someone looking for that one rugged typewriter to do some writing with.

Very sad Royal HH which has been in this store forever and is in terrible shape.  At $40 it will probably remain there for a long time into the future.

A Little More About Mills

The US Navy Underwood Universal Radio Mill on the left, and the Western Union Underwood Telegraph Mill on the right. 

The shift catch on the US Navy Mill to keep the carriage from bobbing in a small ship or plane as the machine is exposed to vibration. 

The Western Union Telegraph Mill with the useless symbols for shifts. 

The US Navy Radio Mill with redundant capital letters for shifts.

I do have a third mill, a Postal Telegraph Remington Mill, which is non-functioning, very attractive, and types ++++ if you shift it.

Finally!

This machine on typewriter database for more pics and info!

For more info and to see the shift-catch, look at the page on the typewriter database for this machine!

Be Patient. Look Everywhere.