Heh, you say you won't get any more typewriters... But I just broke that resolution myself about 30 minutes ago. For no reason I stop by Goodwill, and there's a 1966 Olympia SM-9 Deluxe sitting on the shelf for $5.99 - with "Needs Some Work" grease-penciled on it. Apparently Goodwill employees consider carriage-locked typewriters to be broken. I pay my $6, flip the locking lever, and now I have a really sweet Oly SM to add to my collection. :D
If there is a cure for the obsession, I sure haven't found it. :P
Ted, yeah, I couldn't pass a deal like that up. I think the only reason I don't have more is because my local antique and thrift stores rarely get any typewriters on the shelf. The rare few end up going right online and then I have to compete with the rest of the US...
Thanks, Richard! Its certainly possible I could have more next year, but my wife does a really good job at keeping my total count under double-digits.
Thanks, Peter. I think I've found a bunch of great typewriters.
Great collection! What I like about your typewriters is that you seem to have every machine that has been agreed by collectors to be a classic / best-of: Hermes 3000, Olympia SM-9 and SG-1, Lettera 32, etc.
The next time a newbie starts one of those "Which typewriter should I buy???" posts on PTF, we should just respond with a link to this post and say, "Get any one of those and you'll be golden!" ;-)
Yeah, Adwoa, I think that was my goal, to collect what I have read/been told are the best typewriters out there. So, with the exception of the Galaxie Deluxe, Oliver 9 and Selectric, I have what is commonly agreed upon to be the best ones for actually typing.
I know there are still a couple out there, like a Hermes Ambassador, Royal HH and maybe a Facit TP1, that I have heard are tops as well. But I really don't want anymore standards and with an SM9, Hermes 3000 and Lettera 32, there just doesn't seem to be a portable out there that will top these...
No, I have not added anything to my collection in quite some time. I do still look around locally for anything that catches my eye, but I have become quite particular on anything I purchase. I really do have all the typers I really, really want.
Sounds like heaven. Well if you change your mind, wouldn't mind looking around for you in the Netherlands. Not very efficient, but who knows what I might bump into.
I have an Olympia SG 3 and an Olivetti Lettera 31. You are right about your Olympia. SG 1 and SG 3 are the very greatest desktop typewriters ever. This is the why the SG 3 is the mainstream writing machine in my country, Mexico...xD
You can see my typecasts made with my giant Olympia in my blog:
Very nice collection, sir!
ReplyDeleteHeh, you say you won't get any more typewriters... But I just broke that resolution myself about 30 minutes ago. For no reason I stop by Goodwill, and there's a 1966 Olympia SM-9 Deluxe sitting on the shelf for $5.99 - with "Needs Some Work" grease-penciled on it. Apparently Goodwill employees consider carriage-locked typewriters to be broken. I pay my $6, flip the locking lever, and now I have a really sweet Oly SM to add to my collection. :D
If there is a cure for the obsession, I sure haven't found it. :P
Love that sticker on the Selectric!
ReplyDeleteI predict that by one year from today, you'll be up to Sweet Sixteen.
A nice well-rounded group.
ReplyDeleteTed, yeah, I couldn't pass a deal like that up. I think the only reason I don't have more is because my local antique and thrift stores rarely get any typewriters on the shelf. The rare few end up going right online and then I have to compete with the rest of the US...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Richard! Its certainly possible I could have more next year, but my wife does a really good job at keeping my total count under double-digits.
Thanks, Peter. I think I've found a bunch of great typewriters.
Still looking for my Hermes. It seems every time I see one I like, the funds just aren't there. Ah well, at least I can stare at yours!
ReplyDeleteGreat collection! What I like about your typewriters is that you seem to have every machine that has been agreed by collectors to be a classic / best-of: Hermes 3000, Olympia SM-9 and SG-1, Lettera 32, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe next time a newbie starts one of those "Which typewriter should I buy???" posts on PTF, we should just respond with a link to this post and say, "Get any one of those and you'll be golden!" ;-)
Yeah, Adwoa, I think that was my goal, to collect what I have read/been told are the best typewriters out there. So, with the exception of the Galaxie Deluxe, Oliver 9 and Selectric, I have what is commonly agreed upon to be the best ones for actually typing.
ReplyDeleteI know there are still a couple out there, like a Hermes Ambassador, Royal HH and maybe a Facit TP1, that I have heard are tops as well. But I really don't want anymore standards and with an SM9, Hermes 3000 and Lettera 32, there just doesn't seem to be a portable out there that will top these...
Nice herd of click-clackin' steeds! I like the stories of each typewriter. Very fun.
ReplyDeleteAhh! you have the Oliver 9! Collection complete!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Marty, thanks! I need to get back on my Oliver and fashion that plastic bushing fix.
ReplyDeleteJust added the Singer Scholastic (Royal Dart rebadge) to the roster.
ReplyDeleteJust added the Hermes Baby to the roster.
ReplyDeleteJust added my "loaned" SC Clipper back to the roster.
ReplyDeleteJust added my new 1966 Olympia SM9 to the roster.
ReplyDeleteA fantastic collection of classic typers! Your QDL is delightful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ryan. I haven't had a comment on this post in quite some time!
ReplyDeleteI noticed I hadn't added my Remington Super Riter. So, now I am up to 15!
ReplyDeleteNice collection! Have you been able to extend it further ;) ? I can see the Consul caught your eye...
ReplyDeleteNo, I have not added anything to my collection in quite some time. I do still look around locally for anything that catches my eye, but I have become quite particular on anything I purchase. I really do have all the typers I really, really want.
ReplyDeleteSounds like heaven. Well if you change your mind, wouldn't mind looking around for you in the Netherlands. Not very efficient, but who knows what I might bump into.
ReplyDeleteOlympia SG 1 and Olivetti Lettera 32, eh?
ReplyDeleteI have an Olympia SG 3 and an Olivetti Lettera 31. You are right about your Olympia. SG 1 and SG 3 are the very greatest desktop typewriters ever. This is the why the SG 3 is the mainstream writing machine in my country, Mexico...xD
You can see my typecasts made with my giant Olympia in my blog:
http://joshbeta1.blogspot.com
Yeah, I love my Olympias. My SG1 is my favorite, but I've written a novel draft on my (newer) SM9 and many a letter on my SM5.
DeleteAnd I am officially at 17.
ReplyDelete