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Manual typewriter

post #1 of 23
8/14/09 at 1:50am
Thread Starter 
I really want to buy an old manual typewriter. I am looking at ebay and CL right now. Anyone have any tips or suggestions for buying one?
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post #2 of 23
8/14/09 at 1:51am
I agree with this post, though will settle for an IBM Seletric or variation thereof.
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post #3 of 23
8/14/09 at 2:00am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by crazyquik View Post
I agree with this post, though will settle for an IBM Seletric or variation thereof.

Growing up my dad had two IBM selectrics. They are cool but EXTREMELY heavy. My memories of childhood are of the soft hum they made combined with the faint smell of cigarette smoke the secretaries that used them smoked.
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post #4 of 23
8/14/09 at 3:24am
i have a manual... i am not familiar enough to tell you the brands/et cetera.

as lazy as this makes me sound, using a laptop makes using a manual typewriter a bit of a workout for my hands. i find that the homerow letters are always much darker than any i have to reach for as i must be unable to put the same level of pressure or something.
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post #5 of 23
8/14/09 at 5:59am
Big, heavy, but good, for stationary use: IBM Selectric. Portable: Olivetti. Look for the Valentine model, designed by Ettore Sottsass.
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post #6 of 23
8/14/09 at 1:36pm
Supposedly, in my day (mid-sixties) the gold standard was an Olympia which went for a $100 back then (pricey when you think about it). I got mine as an 8th grade graduation gift. I wore mine out (literally) at college and grad school and still have that one as well as my mother's, which is identical to mine. I have the rare reason to trot it out now and then.
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post #7 of 23
8/14/09 at 1:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucky Strike View Post
Big, heavy, but good, for stationary use: IBM Selectric.

Portable: Olivetti. Look for the Valentine model, designed by Ettore Sottsass.

Thanks- that's very helpful.
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post #8 of 23
8/14/09 at 8:11pm
Manual type-writers are so new-school.. http://www.nothinbutprints.com/art_p...work_id=331908
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post #9 of 23
8/15/09 at 12:13pm
I think there is still an IBM Selectric somewhere in my office.
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post #10 of 23
8/15/09 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by robbie View Post
as lazy as this makes me sound, using a laptop makes using a manual typewriter a bit of a workout for my hands.
The ones that are most visually appealing are also the most hassle. I picked one up at a flea market and never use it. I have to say, the idea of using it is more enjoyable it than is actually typing on it.
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post #11 of 23
8/15/09 at 12:45pm
This is the one I used to write all my reports on in highschool:



Never had any problems. We had an electric, but this was one of those character building
exercises.
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post #12 of 23
8/15/09 at 8:39pm
I use a 1950s vintage Smith-Corona. Typewriters are great for cranking out little notes and letters. I think my recipients get a kick out of them too.

In trying to ID my typewriter, I came across this webpage which despite the mid-90s Geocities layout contains very good info:

http://willdavis.bravehost.com/index.html
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post #13 of 23
8/17/09 at 6:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pennglock View Post
I use a 1950s vintage Smith-Corona. Typewriters are great for cranking out little notes and letters. I think my recipients get a kick out of them too.

In trying to ID my typewriter, I came across this webpage which despite the mid-90s Geocities layout contains very good info:

http://willdavis.bravehost.com/index.html

Yeah- that is what I was thinking. I am running for a small-timer local office this fall and I thought it might be a fun way to send some personal notes to people.
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post #14 of 23
8/17/09 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CTGuy View Post
Yeah- that is what I was thinking. I am running for a small-timer local office this fall and I thought it might be a fun way to send some personal notes to people.
Personal notes are a nice touch, but why not write them by hand?
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post #15 of 23
8/17/09 at 11:39pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayJay View Post
Personal notes are a nice touch, but why not write them by hand?

I probably will do that too. I just am interested in getting a typewriter as well.
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