The ribbon makes a big difference. I was just reading an ad from the Victor Typewriter Company which described the fact that smudged typewritten copy mailed to a customer is a denigration on a company's image. True enough in the world of business .. how different our idea of a 'professional presentation is today! .. but to see nice, clear, aligned typwritten copy today in 2013 is quite heartwarming. -Will Davis
That sure is clear type! I did the same last NaNo, splurging on one silk(!) ribbon. I need to place an order myself. I need one more set of Olivetti ribbons, and a few SCM's so I can start giving those machines away.
My stock (cheap) nylon ribbons generally work better after a dozen pages of typing has laid down some of the exsessive ink. But it would be nice to try natural fibres with fresh ink. I'll start saving my pennies.
I just remembered, I used to change ribbons of typewriters when I was 10 years old. My aunt used to teach every parts of the typewriter, how to use it and how to maintain it. There was a time that I scrambled the ribbons accidentally when it fell on the floor. My aunt was so frustrated.
Olivetti Lettera 32, uh? I have an Olivetti Lettera 31... :P
Before getting a true typewriter, my Olympia SG 3, I used my Lettera 31 for writing my book(s) from 2011 to 2015, daily and every day as if it were a workhorse, a heavy-duty machine. I bought that Lettera 31 at $50 MXN (I am from Mexico, and I live in Oaxaca City) in a thrift store. According to its serial number, it was made in the year 1974. When I bought it, it included inside the two original metallic reels for the ribbon!!!...xD
Despite its ridiculously tiny, small size, the letters are well aligned, and uppercases and lowercases matches with each other in the line. The quality of the printings became awesome, amazing and astonishing after installing a ribbon made out of cotton (good ribbon, not scarce ribbons that just leave smudges on the paper and residues in the typefaces). The printing quality made others to think I had an electronic typewriter or a true, authentic (standard/desk) typewriter (usually, Letteras are the cheapest machines in my country; they aren't repaired in case of fail due to technicians opinion: "They are so cheap... It's useless. Reparing them is more expensive that buying a new one, a better one"). So, you are lucky indeed. There's no better ribbon than those ones made out of (good) cotton...xD
Regarding the reels, I have lots of plastic (black) reels for Olivetti machines, but the best ones are the metallic ones despite the four huge holes on each side of the reel, where the ribbon gets dry as time goes forward... :P
I also made a typecast with my Olivetti Lettera 31. You can check it out on my blog:
Very nice typeface. I've had the opposite problem with spools. I have several Olivetti and no machines.
ReplyDeleteI do need to get a cotton ribbon though. I never used one.
Ahh, I love metal spools. That looks like very clear, crisp typing.
ReplyDeleteThe ribbon makes a big difference. I was just reading an ad from the Victor Typewriter Company which described the fact that smudged typewritten copy mailed to a customer is a denigration on a company's image. True enough in the world of business .. how different our idea of a 'professional presentation is today! .. but to see nice, clear, aligned typwritten copy today in 2013 is quite heartwarming. -Will Davis
ReplyDeleteThat sure is clear type! I did the same last NaNo, splurging on one silk(!) ribbon. I need to place an order myself. I need one more set of Olivetti ribbons, and a few SCM's so I can start giving those machines away.
ReplyDeleteMmmmn, that's some tasty type clarity! (:
ReplyDeleteMy stock (cheap) nylon ribbons generally work better after a dozen pages of typing has laid down some of the exsessive ink. But it would be nice to try natural fibres with fresh ink. I'll start saving my pennies.
ReplyDeleteI just remembered, I used to change ribbons of typewriters when I was 10 years old. My aunt used to teach every parts of the typewriter, how to use it and how to maintain it. There was a time that I scrambled the ribbons accidentally when it fell on the floor. My aunt was so frustrated.
ReplyDeletePlease visit My Website: http://online-phd-uk.co.uk/
Olivetti Lettera 32, uh?
ReplyDeleteI have an Olivetti Lettera 31... :P
Before getting a true typewriter, my Olympia SG 3, I used my Lettera 31 for writing my book(s) from 2011 to 2015, daily and every day as if it were a workhorse, a heavy-duty machine. I bought that Lettera 31 at $50 MXN (I am from Mexico, and I live in Oaxaca City) in a thrift store. According to its serial number, it was made in the year 1974. When I bought it, it included inside the two original metallic reels for the ribbon!!!...xD
Despite its ridiculously tiny, small size, the letters are well aligned, and uppercases and lowercases matches with each other in the line. The quality of the printings became awesome, amazing and astonishing after installing a ribbon made out of cotton (good ribbon, not scarce ribbons that just leave smudges on the paper and residues in the typefaces). The printing quality made others to think I had an electronic typewriter or a true, authentic (standard/desk) typewriter (usually, Letteras are the cheapest machines in my country; they aren't repaired in case of fail due to technicians opinion: "They are so cheap... It's useless. Reparing them is more expensive that buying a new one, a better one"). So, you are lucky indeed. There's no better ribbon than those ones made out of (good) cotton...xD
Regarding the reels, I have lots of plastic (black) reels for Olivetti machines, but the best ones are the metallic ones despite the four huge holes on each side of the reel, where the ribbon gets dry as time goes forward... :P
I also made a typecast with my Olivetti Lettera 31. You can check it out on my blog:
http://joshbeta1.blogspot.com
Hi there, Josh! I agree, the Lettera 32 feels like a lot bigger, smoother typer than I would figure (at first glance).
DeleteI've checked out your blog. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!