I started reading this post with such hope in my heart. My Lettera 32 case, too, has a fairly substantial zipper problem, so much so that I am a bit afraid to carry it around with me. Such a sad fate for a portable typewriter...
I even asked the good folks at Blue Moon if they'd be able to repair mine, and the response I got was a resounding "maybe." Hm.
Yeah, the thing is, the guy was probably 10 years older than me, putting him in his mid-40s. I would have figured at some point a typewriter would have been familiar as I remember using one in junior high for research papers...
Sorry, Mike. I had hope in my heart when I walked into the shop. My zipper problem isn't horrible, as the one side zips all the way up and the other side gets about 75% closed, so I don't worry about carrying it, but I was really looking fix it.
Based on what the guy said, there's not likely anywhere in town that can replace it. I find that hard to believe as there has to be someone with an industrial sewing machine and the kind of mind that likes a challenge!
!!!!!Had never heard of "type writer"!!!! Well, about 3 years ago, the nephew of a Mexican friend of mine was visiting here for the summer. He was a high school student in Mexico City. I showed him my Spanish keyboarded Remington Noiseless. He had never heard the Spanish for "type writer" and referred to it as an "escribidora"!!! Yes, amazing things seen and heard (with apologies to Aristotle)!!
Wow. Maybe the typewriter really *IS* dead! ..............naaahhhhh!!
What really struck me was how the man wouldn't come right out and tell you that there was nothing he could do. He didn't have to keep coming up with reasons why. What ever happened to simple honesty?
Yeah, I know, right? I'm 35 and he was older than I am. I would guess he could have been as old as mid-40s.
Its just strange, really. I mean, I understand that EVERYONE isn't a typewriter enthusiast, but it seems akin to not knowing what an 8-track or cassette tape or record player is. Meaning, its understandable for some generations but others you would expect to have at least been aware.
I can't believe he didn't at least KNOW what a typewriter is. I have, of course, come across many people who don't know how to use one but the only person who has had no idea what one is is five years old. Weird.
Amazing. If the senior guy was in his early twenties, it would make sense. Regarding the busted zipper problem, have you thought about getting press studs on leather straps? Three or four leather straps with the studs on the top of the case might solve the problem. May not look like it came out of the factory, and it may not be water-tight, but it might hold strongly enough for carrying around.
Luckily, the zipper does close enough to carry. Its got two pulls that meet at the top by the handle. The one side zips all the way to the top. The other side zips up the side and right to where the case curves at the top, so there is about 6 inches unzipped.
I don't worry about anything happening when carrying it, but I am careful, just in case.
I'm alternating between speechless and not surprised. I suppose it's always possible to know the object but not its name.
ReplyDeleteI started reading this post with such hope in my heart. My Lettera 32 case, too, has a fairly substantial zipper problem, so much so that I am a bit afraid to carry it around with me. Such a sad fate for a portable typewriter...
ReplyDeleteI even asked the good folks at Blue Moon if they'd be able to repair mine, and the response I got was a resounding "maybe." Hm.
Yeah, the thing is, the guy was probably 10 years older than me, putting him in his mid-40s. I would have figured at some point a typewriter would have been familiar as I remember using one in junior high for research papers...
ReplyDeleteSorry, Mike. I had hope in my heart when I walked into the shop. My zipper problem isn't horrible, as the one side zips all the way up and the other side gets about 75% closed, so I don't worry about carrying it, but I was really looking fix it.
Based on what the guy said, there's not likely anywhere in town that can replace it. I find that hard to believe as there has to be someone with an industrial sewing machine and the kind of mind that likes a challenge!
!!!!!Had never heard of "type writer"!!!! Well, about 3 years ago, the nephew of a Mexican friend of mine was visiting here for the summer. He was a high school student in Mexico City. I showed him my Spanish keyboarded Remington Noiseless. He had never heard the Spanish for "type writer" and referred to it as an "escribidora"!!! Yes, amazing things seen and heard (with apologies to Aristotle)!!
ReplyDeleteReally? That's insane. That's really insane.
ReplyDeleteWow. Maybe the typewriter really *IS* dead! ..............naaahhhhh!!
ReplyDeleteWhat really struck me was how the man wouldn't come right out and tell you that there was nothing he could do. He didn't have to keep coming up with reasons why. What ever happened to simple honesty?
Munk ALSO has a 32 case with a busted zipper. Seems like this is a common problem.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the guy didn't know what a typewriter was! Was he a very young man? Even so - I'm 24 and I know what a typewriter is! *shakes head*
Yeah, I know, right? I'm 35 and he was older than I am. I would guess he could have been as old as mid-40s.
ReplyDeleteIts just strange, really. I mean, I understand that EVERYONE isn't a typewriter enthusiast, but it seems akin to not knowing what an 8-track or cassette tape or record player is. Meaning, its understandable for some generations but others you would expect to have at least been aware.
I can't believe he didn't at least KNOW what a typewriter is. I have, of course, come across many people who don't know how to use one but the only person who has had no idea what one is is five years old. Weird.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. If the senior guy was in his early twenties, it would make sense.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the busted zipper problem, have you thought about getting press studs on leather straps? Three or four leather straps with the studs on the top of the case might solve the problem. May not look like it came out of the factory, and it may not be water-tight, but it might hold strongly enough for carrying around.
Luckily, the zipper does close enough to carry. Its got two pulls that meet at the top by the handle. The one side zips all the way to the top. The other side zips up the side and right to where the case curves at the top, so there is about 6 inches unzipped.
ReplyDeleteI don't worry about anything happening when carrying it, but I am careful, just in case.