Typewriter Event In Philly

Announcing the first Philadelphia

         Type-IN

A Pleasant Afternoon of

Manual Typewriting

SATURDAY, 18 December,1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

 BRIDGEWATER’S PUB, South Concourse30^th Street Station, 30^th & Market Sts.Philadelphia

SEE a choice display of vintage writing machines • BRING your favorite functioning manual typewriter (plus one or two to swap/sell) • COMPETE in a typing contest; win modest prizes • COMPOSE a holiday letter (we’ll supply paper & stamped envelopes) to your loved ones • CONSULT with an experienced typewriter technician •  ENJOY the excellent kitchen & vast selection of craft beers at Bridgewater’s Pub •

The Type-IN is FREE, but please RSVP to phillytyper@gmail.com with Type-IN on the subject line.

 humbly sponsored by trophy bikes university city

& the trophy bike garage of northern liberties

     A few days ago, I got an email from someone in Philadelphia who was putting together a gathering of manual typewriter users. He wanted to know if I would post his flyer on my blog to help spread the word. You bet I would! I also really wish I could go. I got really excited after reading his flyer and email. It would be so cool if people around the country started organizing typewriter events. Typewriter enthusiasts from all walks of life getting together to share stories, experiences and support each other. We need to do something like this in Boston. This growing interest in old manual typewriters and typewriters in general is such a joy to watch. I'd love to hear your comments on this.

     A friend of mine sent me this link to the New York Times article earlier this year about Cormac McCarthy's Olivetti L-32 selling at auction for $254,500. Most of you know this but not everyone and it was a very important typewriter story. The NY Times article had alot of good information in it. I know that after the auction I couldn't find a L-32 anywhere for a reasonable price for about six months. http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/cormac-mccarthys-typewriter-brings-254500-at-auction/ 

      Last week I had to reorder a bunch of cleaning supplies I use to repair typewriters including typewriter oil from Ames Supply Co. They sadly informed me that they can't get typewriter oil anymore. The company that made it no longer does. And, they don't know anyone else making typewriter oil. This was a real bummer. I need a good oil to repair machines. I immediately called several other wholesalers and heard the same story. This is a familiar story these days. As anyone in the business will tell you, its gets harder every year to get what you need to run a repair shop. Every year more ribbons and parts are discontinued making my job more difficult. But today I got some good news. My friend Matt from New Jersey called to say that he saw on the typewriter forum that Ames just scored a supply of typewriter oil and its in shipment. He knew that I would be excited and he was right. I'm a happy camper now. I don't know why that bothered me so much but it really did.

   A few days ago a minister from a north shore church came in with a Olympia SM-7 repair. He said that this was the machine he took to college and now he uses it to type out marriage certificates. Several months ago he decided to treat himself and buy a new manual typewriter. You know, the Olivetti 35 from China for around $100.00. He said he almost died after taking it out of the box and trying it. After two minutes he repacked it and sent it back along with an angry letter about what a poorly made product they sold him. So now the SM-7's looking pretty good again. We had a good laugh about it and he says that I should keep one of those new machines on the table so people will see it and want to buy one of the older better machines.   

Another perfect example of why older is better. 

     I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We have much to be thankful for! Have a great weekend everyone.