So glad to hear about Peter Short and the growing market for platens. It's also encouraging to hear that he foresees platen prices tapering off to an affordable level.
Whoa, an unused Ivrea-made Lettera 32 that's still in its original packaging??? I would have gone bonkers!
Back in late 2001, I bought a Valentine in its original packing material, never used, that was part of a group of machines found at a warehouse for a business.
Since I had two other Valentines (used) I decided to sell the unopened one on eBay a few years later. This was before I began collecting typewriters in earnest -- and I wish I still had that one!
I definitely plan on sending a few platens over to JJ Short soon. I never did send one to Ames, so this will be my first time using a recovered platen. Quite exciting, and I have been hearing great things about their product lately.
An unopened Lettera 32 must be awesome to see. Really, any unopened/unused machine. Why would she bring it in if she wasn't going to sell it?
Thanks for sharing the Petite. The apparent 1955 date on it is interesting information to me and I've updated my long story on the Byron accordingly. (Long story short: Bar-Lock was renamed Byron in the 1950s and produced an all-new office typewriter, the Mark I, but the company failed and was bought by Oliver, which soon went belly-up in turn. Byron also produced Petite toy typewiters. That part of the business survived as an independent company, Byron Jardine, and made toy typewriters into the 1980s.)
The Corona Silent is a beauty. One just like it was one of my best thrift store finds ever (although some damage was done by an idiot who didn't understand how to open the case and pried it open). I fixed up the machine and now it belongs to a colleague.
Too bad you did not get the new Lettera 32. That is one super rare find!.
Good to know platens are working out at JJ Short Co. I was going to get my Hermes done since I have several, but got hit with unexpected bill and will need to wait until after Christmas which is good since I now decided on some older machines if they can do them.
Ton- I was thinking of people who would appreciate a brand new old Olivetti and thought of you.
Cameron- There are so many machines I wish I could have back. That brand new Valentine must have been a big thrill.
Ken- I think in a few more months you will see the cost of platens come down a little more.
Richard- Glad you liked the Petite. Thanks for including me in your revision. In looking up info on the Petite I came across your post on the Byron. Also got Robert Messengers post on Byron. You guys are great. Thanks.
Bill- Thanks for your great comments. Knowing someone is going to make quality affordable platens and rollers is a huge relief.
News from director Christopher Lockett: There is a screening of "The Typewriter (In the 21st Century)" at the Jack Kerouac Literary Festival in Lowell, MA on Tuesday, October 9 @7p, free, at Lowell National Historic Park Visitor Center. Details about the screening and the festival itself are here:
So glad to hear about Peter Short and the growing market for platens. It's also encouraging to hear that he foresees platen prices tapering off to an affordable level.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, an unused Ivrea-made Lettera 32 that's still in its original packaging??? I would have gone bonkers!
Back in late 2001, I bought a Valentine in its original packing material, never used, that was part of a group of machines found at a warehouse for a business.
ReplyDeleteSince I had two other Valentines (used) I decided to sell the unopened one on eBay a few years later. This was before I began collecting typewriters in earnest -- and I wish I still had that one!
I definitely plan on sending a few platens over to JJ Short soon. I never did send one to Ames, so this will be my first time using a recovered platen. Quite exciting, and I have been hearing great things about their product lately.
ReplyDeleteAn unopened Lettera 32 must be awesome to see. Really, any unopened/unused machine. Why would she bring it in if she wasn't going to sell it?
That Corona is absolutely beautiful...
Thanks for sharing the Petite. The apparent 1955 date on it is interesting information to me and I've updated my long story on the Byron accordingly. (Long story short: Bar-Lock was renamed Byron in the 1950s and produced an all-new office typewriter, the Mark I, but the company failed and was bought by Oliver, which soon went belly-up in turn. Byron also produced Petite toy typewiters. That part of the business survived as an independent company, Byron Jardine, and made toy typewriters into the 1980s.)
ReplyDeleteThe Corona Silent is a beauty. One just like it was one of my best thrift store finds ever (although some damage was done by an idiot who didn't understand how to open the case and pried it open). I fixed up the machine and now it belongs to a colleague.
That Corona Silent is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteToo bad you did not get the new Lettera 32. That is one super rare find!.
Good to know platens are working out at JJ Short Co. I was going to get my Hermes done since I have several, but got hit with unexpected bill and will need to wait until after Christmas which is good since I now decided on some older machines if they can do them.
Oh, I also meant to express my gratitude and relief at the good news about the Short platens.
ReplyDeleteTon- I was thinking of people who would appreciate a brand new old Olivetti and thought of you.
ReplyDeleteCameron- There are so many machines I wish I could have back. That brand new Valentine must have been a big thrill.
Ken- I think in a few more months you will see the cost of platens come down a little more.
Richard- Glad you liked the Petite. Thanks for including me in your revision. In looking up info on the Petite I came across your post on the Byron. Also got Robert Messengers post on Byron. You guys are great. Thanks.
Bill- Thanks for your great comments. Knowing someone is going to make quality affordable platens and rollers is a huge relief.
News from director Christopher Lockett: There is a screening of "The Typewriter (In the 21st Century)" at the Jack Kerouac Literary Festival in Lowell, MA on Tuesday, October 9 @7p, free, at Lowell National Historic Park Visitor Center. Details about the screening and the festival itself are here:
ReplyDeletehttp://lowellfilmcollaborative.org/
Figured you'd want to know.
Richard- Thanks a million, I'm there!
Delete