The Oliver Cometh

It's been lost in the garage for at least two years, but a kind offer from a fellow Typospherian has me ready to dive into the restoration of this old green machine. I took a few Polaroids to document the before. 

The keys look nice, but they are spattered with some sort of solvent-based paint that created little grey divots. Cleaning doesn't work. The only option is replacement. The new keys are on the way.

I have the cover in a drawer somewhere. The whole machine might need a new coat of paint and that would lead to new decals. Luckily, you can get them on Etsy from Paul Roberts.

And the nickle plate is in terrible shape. If anyone has some good links to exploded parts catalogs or some suggestions on how to disassemble this machine, please let me know because I need help.

New Olympia SM-9

UPDATE: Now, this is embarrassing. I didn't even know there was a cheaper sister to the SM-9; the SM-8. I was corrected in the comments by impressionofinfinity. I checked the TWDB and sure enough, there is the SM-8. I should have done my homework. I have corrected the post where possible, but kept the original mistake.

In case you don't know Tim is from Georgia (not Alabama as I indicated previously) and he has been on the quest for the perfect user's typewriter. He's not looking to build a collection. To borrow from the world of animal adoptions, he is looking for a forever typewriter. Due to his immense generosity and kindness, whatever does not meet his expectations has found it's way here to the CTP. Most recently it's this lovely Olympia SM-9 SM-8 from 1974 or '75:

As I sat down to do this typecast, I really got into the feel of this typewriter. I haven't been sold on Olympias before. Even my favorite SG-1 sometimes feels stiff and heavy. This one couldn't be any more different. The platen is still soft and it makes for the perfect typing experience. I have to say I love it. It's a little tinny, but very solid in key feel. My personal opinion on the styling is a little more harsh.

The SG-1 is a fine precision instrument. Even the more worn-in SM-9 (another donation not from Tim)  is still very high quality. It feels as if some areas of quality were compromised in the name of profitability. Some of the metal is a little thinner. The finish isn't as fine. The fit is very good, but not as precise.

My reservations are a collector's reservations. If you are a young typist and are looking for a forever machine, this little guy might be the ticket. I already have some kids looking at this one.

CNN Student News Typewriter Segment

A colleague sent a link to this video from the March 11th edition of CNN Student News. Paul Schweitzer from Gramercy has some nice things to say about typewriters. Also, he is selling about 30 machines a week! That's amazing.

The good bit starts at 7 minutes in.

Typewriter Siwulogi

From 2:00pm to 3:00pm on the 21st, young Jake Fischer will be speaking about typewriters at the North Valley Regional Library. Pack a lunch and make your way up to the gorgeous northern parts of the Phoenix Metro area to hear what he has to say. I will take pictures and offer a complete summary of the day's events.

40410 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy

Anthem, AZ 85086

602-652-3000

Jake Fischer's North Phoenix Typewriter Presentation

Local typewriter collector Jake Fischer os hosting a presentation on typewriters called "21st Century Typewriting" on February 21st from 2:00pm to 3:00pm at the north Valley Regional Library.

I have not had the pleasure of meeting Jake in person, but we exchange email messages and he is a very entrepreneurial young typewriter and collector who has impressed me greatly. I am very interested in hearing what he has to say. For your mapping needs here is the address to the North Valley Regional Library:

40410 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy

Anthem, AZ 85086

602-652-3000

When I get a flier or other details I will happily post them here.

They Came in the Post

Last night as the rain started to fall I heard a knock at the door. I looked through the peep hole and I was surprised to see three packages. I had heard that these three packages would be coming my way from Alabama. Tim had mentioned it in his email.

I loaded the boxes into my car and drove them to school. What could be inside?

The excitement is palpable.

An Olivetti...

an Olympia...

and another Olympia.

It's raining right now, but in my classroom it's raining typewriters. More on these great typewriters very soon.

Christmas with Royal

With Christmas fast approaching I thought it would be fun to see how Royal advertisements throughout the years reflected this time of family tradition.

We start with some stately pre-war grace. This kind of image makes me think of Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street.

Now on to something that really puts the cheer in the holiday...

...as if you were hoping to make your children juvenile delinquents for Christmas.

Here little Jane and Billy are admiring the fine Christmas gift that will last for years. And they are not even remotely juvenile delinquents. their parents heeded the warning from Life magazine last Christmas.

As we move out of the 1940s into the 1950s the obligatory weird cute/ugly elf makes an appearance. This time, he is shilling a tombstone keyed Royal portable. I can't entirely tell, but is this a new version of Royal's portable?

Now, an advert from September:

I know Santa is magical. That has been made very clear. If Santa is so magical, why is he carrying a typewriter around and sweating? Wiggle your nose and be done with it! Also, that belt Ms. Claus bought Santa is too small. Is she telling him something? 

Santa hat and a typewriter. Genius! Don't over-think it!

Does this look like an angel is loitering and an elf-woman is being mugged? Merry Christmas!

 Look at these hip, young people communicating. Now I want some eggnog.

Does it seem like those four fake Santas and one real Santa are judging Royal's manufacturing? I mean, Litton-era typewriters are nothing exciting. Even the copywriter couldn't  muster an overtly positive thing to say about a Litton Royal. "The people who make a variety of good portables." Good portables. Not: great, fantastic, rugged, precision, or quality. Good. Maybe Litton outsourced the copy writing to Portugul along with Sabres.

That was fun. Now, I hope that there is a typewriter under your tree this Christmas.