A Typewriter With Some History



Top cover of case depicting Boot Camps

      Every once in a while someone walks in the shop with a typewriter repair in a beat up, graffiti covered or travel sticker covered case. This imediately gets my attention because it usually means a machine thats been around the country or world. This machine was both.


Left side panel showing stops in Great Britain



     The young lady bring in this repair, Alexandra, quickly told me that this machine belonged to her grandfather and that it was now her most prized possession. With great pride she told me her grandfather was a reporter for the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for most of his life. He was working as a reporter up untill he past away in his 90's. I started to ask questions about the meaning of all the countries and towns in Europe. She said her grandfather was in WW II as a reporter and was sending stories back home. He painted on the case everywhere he went, which you can see is all over war torn Europe. On the left side panel he drew the troop transport ship he took to Bristol. The bottom shows the landing craft number he was on that landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy.



Right side panel shows stops in Europe



     The right panel shows all the stops he made on the Army's march through France, Belgium and Germany. What a amazing journey this man and his typewriter went on. One can only imagine him typing stories on this machine as he hears artillery bombardment in the distance. Or writing of heroic deeds witnessed firsthand on the frontlines of the battlefield. If only this machine could talk...



This machine looks like its been in a war.



     Finally you can see that the machine is very worn and beat up. It had not been used in some time as it was severely rusted. I was able to remove alot of the rust and get the machine back into really good running condition again. Alexandra was very excited when she picked up the machine earlier this week. She said she plans to write creatively on it and can't wait to start. I'm sure the energy stored up in this machine will only help to inspire her writing.  

    In other news this week, I've had many repairs come in week and a few typewriters sales. This afternoon a couple from Manhatten, in town on business came in and purchased a Hermes 3000. One of the nice ones with the curved front. Boy was he happy to find that. After typing for about ten seconds, he looks up at me with huge smile and says "This is it. This is it. I'm so happy." That makes my day too!

     Looking forward to a visit tomorrow from Abraham. He's bringing in a few machines. We always have a good laugh together and hope the Bruins go all the way this year.

     I've got a fun story for you next week. Check it out if you can. Have a great week everyone!