Joe, I can't believe I had missed this one. Right now, I've been going between two machines, back a forth. 1959 Hermes 3000 1964 SCM Galaxie Deluxe I love the super buttery thump thump of the Hermes, that smooth and precise carriage slide, hard to beat. Then I get the Galaxie Deluxe out, and the crisp slug sound with the light slush touch and a really flat key texture is such a satisfying follow up. Both for me disappear. I still only have 6 machines in my collection, theres a couple I'm looking at, but for now I love the ones I have. When I'm going to be stuck in the car for about an hour, i have a bag with my brother EP-20 in it, paper and batteries, a couple of folders, I have a kid I drop of to extra outside of school activities, so I'll happily wait in the car and work. For me as you know I'm a bit of a unicorn in that I collect Typewriters, restore and maintain them, but I also use them. And this might be the reason I'm just at 6 in my collection, I use them all to write my first drafts then into the computer it goes for further drafts and edits before it goes off to my editor. So the machines I have all fill the work flow I do. The Galaxie Deluxe and Hermes 3000 are me switch backs at the table, the EP-43 is my Excalibur when im stuck in bed and want to write, the EP-20 is out on the go, the 1972 SCM Electra 110 is lol a kind of emergency vehicle, I want to work but I don't want to crunch keys and yet I don't want to use a thermal typewriter, or Maybe I just want to go a lot faster, that big gun comes out. Thats pretty much it. But wait, that's only 5, I said I have 6. What about that 6th machine? That would be the extremely excellent condition 1968 Royal Aristocrat Special, this was my first Typewriter that was sort of a gift from my wife she wanted to buy it as I spotted it in a pawn shop. I wish I had done a bit more research on it, but it's how we learn I suppose. It's in truth a really great machine, and it is as I said in very excellent condition, but I had found things online about it's counterparts the regular Aristocrat, which is the same as the Safari, Saber and there's another one....Tower? Anyway, this article was put out by Just Type, and it had read about what these machines are best used for, which is short writings or one to two paged letters, they are not something you would want to write a novel on, because the operation is just so darn heavy, it's a bit of a hand work out. I typically write 6 to 10 single spaced pages a day, and I can get to about 7 pages and thats it, I have gone to 10, but I was sorry. Beautiful looking machine classic egg shell Robin Blue Sky and Ivory White keys and face. So that one I take out once in a while and crack out a letter one. Next letter will be from that Royal Aristocrat Special. Why its a special, I'm not sure, but it just has a decorative name plate on the carriage in the upper right, and the margine sets look different than the normal Aristocrat, Safari, or Saber. Silver pins with red dots in the center almost jewel like you push down and slide back and forth depending on where you want your margins set. After getting that Hermes 3000, its a really tough act to follow.
No. 5 - IBM SELECTRIC -> Oh, how I yearned for an IBM Selectric throughout high school and college - and envied the kids whose parents bought them one. I recently acquired the Personal Typewriter model. It's a wonderful machine, and I enjoy collecting its changeable elements. But it's far noisier than I remembered, half of the elements on the market have those levers that break, and even with touch-typing, it's hard to see what you've put on the line. I love my Selectric, but I often recall what Spock advised Stonn: "After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true."
I think one element, at least for me, involved in the "need" to increase the size of my collection is the desire to try different makes and models and no real way to do that other than finding and buying one to see if I like it. Things like type-ins are great opportunities to try new machines (though to my knowledge there isn't one in my area) but fall short of the days when these machines were actually sold in stores where, presumably, you could try them out before buying them. Nowadays, if you want to try it you have to buy it and that can lead to a large collection awfully quickly. I think that if I had the opportunity to try some of my grail machines, I would probably decide that I don't want them in my collection after all (as I've discovered through buying some disappointments). As always, great video and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
have culled my collection to 3 machines, only ones that I use. They are an late 1960's Olympia SM-9, and a '65 Olympia SF, and a '64 Olivetti Lettera 32.. I might go and get another backup Olivetti Lettera 32 machine, cuz it is the machine I use the most.
I tend to be interested in aesthetics and have collected seven or eight typewriters pretty much based on how much I like their visual design. That leaves out popular models or brands like any Hermes, which I don’t find particularly attractive. The only near-duplicate models I own are an Olympia SM4 and an SM3 , the latter I only keep because it has a cursive typeface, otherwise I wouldn’t have two of the same kind of typewriters. I also only have one standard model (1921 Royal 10 dual window) because I don’t really have room for those. My others are all mid-size manuals. I don’t find most electrics particularly attractive either (except for a few harder-to-find models). But of the eight or so typewriters I own, I think they cover almost everything that interests me design-wise (though I probably would like a Royal Safari and maybe a SC Classic 10).
We talked about this on typepals, but I think I reached the target of a cool "minimalist complete collection". Max 30 units, Various brands, models, years, .... From My Royal 10 to my Olympia "Nakajima" Report Electronic, 4 Hermes (3 3000 from 3 different decades and a media 3), .... I just have to finish with a beautiful Oliver (I'm on it), a Valentine (I gave mine to a friend, need my own) And of course, more selectric (for parts or not) Thanks for this cool video.
In 1976, I bought my Dad an Adler J5 manual portable for his 60th birthday, even though he still used his 1926 Royal No. 10 which he had used all thru high school and college and for decades afterwards. After my Dad died in 2005, I inherited those two one-owner machines. The Adler has been in the case since my Dad died and it is in mint condition. The 1926 Royal No 10 is in good condition for a 97 year old machine and it still types just fine. But... it needs to be worked on - the letter "a" sticks sometimes and the carriage return "pauses" for a nano-second in the center. And the bell rings sometimes, but not always. My Dad took excellent care of his typewriters, so there is nothing major wrong with it. It is just old, like me 🙂 In my personal collection, I have a 1946 Smith Corona Silent and a 1948 Royal Quiet Deluxe. So that's a total of 4 typewriters..... all manuals. 1926, 1946, 1948 and 1976. As I approach my twilight years, I want to pare down to 2 typewriters for daily use...... But... which two for serious daily writing? So difficult.....
6:13 Of course, the Selecrtic is in its own category. I love a Correcting II myself, and would, if required by extreme pressure, give up all other typewriters, provided I had an IBM repairman close by :)
I have two typewriters, Olympia with "kursive" font and Lettera 22. So "kursive" for personal Greetings, and the portable for my everyday/everywhere diarywriting.
My collection: 1. Ultra Portable - Own the Skyriter. Bought a cheap one and need to refurb a bit. 2. Portable - Want the Hermes 3000. Might as well get the fancy one. 3. Standard - ????
I am a writer/typewriter collector meaning that I like all typewriters that are made for writers. This makes for a practical, user friendly collection and eliminates some of the high maintenance models or pretty but not so practical models. My dad's typewriter is included in this, an Adler Meteor in excellent condition because he was also OCD about his typewriter. He wrote on his every weekend to creating sermons for church. It also includes Smith Corona 5 series, Olympia SM series and some of the more durable ultra portables.
Joe, as you know, I love the Smith Premier machines with the double keyboards of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and only the model 10 is a visible typer. Nothing beats the sound of a Smith Premier bell. However, I also love the Olympias, whether standard or medium portable for that 1 1/2 space capability. I don't have an ultraportable from Olympia Why are there no fraction keys when I need one? I also have a lot of Smith Corona 5 series portables, including one 5TE. The Smith Corona 4 series machine I have is a favorite as it meets all of your criteria except the 1 1/2 spacing. I would have trouble getting my collection down as I also like different typefaces. My categories would go something like this: Pre-1900's, Pre-WWI, Pre-WWII, Post WWII (1940's-1950's), 1960's-1980's, everything else (thermals, wedges, etc.).
I also like having a variety of different machines encompassing different styles and era's be they manual or electric even though I'm not a writer at all. I have even come around to appreciating machines, such as the compact Japanese machines like Brothers, that I back in the day would somewhat dismiss as being cheap and tinny without having given them a go.
Were I to truly minimize my "typewriter footprint" in an attempt to simplify things, I would choose just one of my Olympia SM9's, ideally with an 11 CPI typeface. I own a number of other machines that are more desirable among collectors. But out of all the typewriters I've been able to get my hands on thus far, for me personally nothing has managed to better the SM9 as a pure writing tool. As I don't tend to lug typewriters around with me, one portable sized machine would be all I really need. As far as reality in the here and now goes, in addition to all of the portable machines I own, I also own one standard sized typewriter and a few ultraportables because I enjoy the variety of typing experiences they provide along with the various typefaces I have to choose from. The majority of typewriters that I own are mid-century German-made models. Over the past few year I purchased around 25 machines in total. However, I have also managed to give a few of them away. I like the idea of helping to grow the typewriter community, getting typewriters into the hands who don't own them and opening their eyes to the enjoyment these machines can bring. While I doubt that I'll ever bring myself to own just one single typewriter again, I am currently attempting to work my way back down to a dozen machines. From there I'll see how things go.
I currently own four typewriters, and they are as follows (in the order in which I acquired them): an IBM Personal Typewriter, a Royal Safari manual portable, an IBM Selectric 711, and a Smith-Corona 5TE electric that I bought just two weeks ago and will be picking up from the repair shop this week. I do not plan to amass a large collection of machines; however, I do find that my aspirations are much like yours, Joe, in that I want to have a variety of different types of machines at my disposal. At this point, I'm almost satisfied with what I have but procuring a fifth machine, a Royal FPP full-sized standard machine would completely round out my collection per my desires. Ever since I was a child I've loved to type and any excuse I can find to use a typewriter is a good excuse for me to do something I consider to be enjoyable.
I personally tend to go for the more unique or odd machines, ones that have a special feature not often found elsewhere, like my Oliver No. 7, for example, or my Corona Special, which also happens to be the only ultraportable I currently own. I have a Remington noiseless 6 which I love because I can use it without disturbing someone nearby. I go for variety but in a different way. Though I also have my workhorses, and the machines I have mostly just because I love typing on them so much. My (bright blue) Royal Model P is my favorite when it comes to pure typing experience. It's such a gorgeous machine and in a lot of ways straddles the line between portable and ultraportable. There's machines I could do without but for two of them I keep them for sentimental reasons because they spearheaded this hobby for me. I actually dont have a lot of the machines one would often consider 'typical' in a collection. I had a Royal Quiet DeLuxe for a while but I sold it, and I've never owned a smith corona portable or ultra portable- actually the only machine I own that says "smith-corona" on the front of it is a super-speed with an ultrawide carriage. I had a remington portable (ultraportable), that I sold because I couldn't stand typing on it, and no amount of freshening it up (I tried) could get the stench that was in that case out. Other than that I've never owned a more 'classic' style ultraportable, (I personally think the Corona special is in its own little category, since it doesnt have the carriage that's buried in the back of the machine, and when opened it honestly is much more like a funny-looking portable).
I have the curse of not having space in my house. So in order to buy a new machine, I have to get rid of one of the old ones. Now I want to buy a Remington KMC, so I have to give up one of my SG3s. If I had a lot of free space, I would only buy large format machines.
A number of years ago I ran into a similar issue with my vinyl LP's. (I started buying them in the 70's and never stopped.) With the passing of time, I've come to appreciate being limited in terms of what I can keep. Whether talking about LP's, typewriters, or whatever else, this inevitably creates a need to cull and refine those things that we own. I figure that in the end I've wound up with more of what I really like and less "filler material" so to speak. It works the same way with typewriters. While I own a lot of vinyl and quite a few typewriters, in neither case do I consider myself a collector. Realistically, I am a person who really likes music and typing. Good luck with your decisions going forward.
I own some Olivettis (Lettera 22, 32, 35, Studio 44) and Hermes (Baby and Media 3 - 1st gen. ). I have also an Olympia ultraportable that looks exactly like yours (QWERTZ machine, though, so I seldom use it). I don't plan to source a standard (may consider one Lexicon in the future but this is unlikely as I have used and appreciated them they are really difficult to collect in a flat though). Love them. I have also a perfectly working Remington Quiet-Riter that is a joy to use and possibly my favouriter 😂 machine.
Fantastic video Joe. My one standard would be the Olympia SG3, my portable, the Olympia SM7, ultra portable, Smith Corona Corsair, and type bar electric, the Royal Apollo 10. I don't own a IBM Selectric or thermal, but of the categories represented in my collection, these would be my minimal, (although I'd lament the loss of my two SM9s)
My collection surprised me once I realized what I was doing. (By the way, I'm an author and type my manuscripts on my machines.) I'm partial to Royals and Smith Coronas. I have the KMM, an HH (both in Elite) and two versions of the Quiet DeLuxe. My first Royal I inherited from my grandfather, and it's the plain DeLuxe, so you can say I have examples of how Royal portables evolved from the '30s to the '50s. For my Smith Corona collection, we start with a Super Silent and then it's all Galaxie machines, because I really like those (I have five). I even had a Galaxie 12 custom painted dark red; it's terrific. I owned a Selectric for about a year. In fact, same model & color as yours--it had to be blue!--but much preferred the daisy wheel machines so I sold the IBM and kept two daisy wheel Smith Coronas. I think what sacred me off the IBM was the heavy maintenance when required--I can clean and fix a manual, but a Selectric? Whole other learning curve. Of course somebody's going to tell me I made a terrible mistake, and I'll agree. The one "odd duck" in my collection is a Hermes 3000. It was fully restored, new platen, etc. -- but I'm not in love with it. It's the one I consider selling the most. I always decide to keep it because it's really a good machine, but it ain't no KMM! Great video! ETA: Why are there lines through this? I can't remove them!
I was so happy. I had a mint and quite modern Olympus Traveler Delux that was great to type on and a 1939 Baby Empire that was ultra portable and historic and filled both those niches. No need to ever get another machine or into collecting! Then my daughter expressed an interest (she may have just been being polite) so I bought her a machine. Then the other day there was an immaculate Adler Contessa de Luxe (cubic type face) in a local charity shop for a keen price. I resisted for 24 hours then bought it. Hand on heart can I swear that if I see a similar deal again I won't go for it? No! That evil typewriter pusher Joe Van Cleave has got me hooked! I have a browser tab open looking for thermal machines on eBay at this very moment - and I should be working!!
An Erika 10 should meet most of your requirements for a portable: smaller font type (11 cpi), 1, 1.5 and 2 lines spacing. Type disentangler lever. Center lock for transport. Soft touch. And somehow better than the Optima.
It is ironic that we tend to own many typewriters today, when most folks, in the days before computers, got along with only one. Writers and journalists excepted. I have a worry about thermal paper, that the writing will degrade and disappear over time. The damning issue of ribbon cartridge availability has sunk my heart. So many good machines are obsolete because of that. One positive aspect of having so many machines in my collection, is the luxury of having many typefaces to choose from (: One negative aspect of having many different machines is that one never really gets fully familiar with the functions and keyboard layout of tab, backspace and margin release keys.
Hermes Ambassador, Olivetti lettera 32, Antares parva, canon typestar 220, smith corona coronet super. I don’t like the sound of selectrics and so won’t ever have one. In a fire I’d grab the Lettera 32. Of course this may all change next week!! Im waiting on a Hermes 2000 and a Remington quiet-riter to arrive!
So far my collection has a lot of 60s and 70s since I'm looking for the greatest functionality, but now I'm thinking about getting something prewar to fill out an entirely different era.
I would like to have: 1. A 1950’s Royal standard 2. A 1950’s ultraportable 3. A compact IBM Selectric 4. A 1950’s Olympia portable 5. A 1950’s Smith Corona portable 6. A 1930’s Corona portable
Wow, I never realised Joe doesn't have a standard Underwood! I have an Underwood 3 from the 1920's and It's one of the sturdiest machines ever. As for my perfect minimal collection,I'm in a situation which can be loomed at from both a posirive and negative point. I live in a slavic country, so I collect both cyrilic and latin ceyboard typewriters. And since I write in both languages, I always kinda want to have one from each type (lightweight portable, medium portable ans standard) for each language. That makes my minimal collection way larger, and I don't even think I'm there yet - I've got 8 maschines (Underwood No3, Adler 32A, Maritsa 12, Madamme 400, Olivetti letera 32, Rheinmetall Gs, Erika 115 and my last, if I may add, incredible find, the rare Perkeo No3).
I might disagree with your initial statement about the "med. size portable" being the most ubiquitous typewriter vs the "full size" models. When thinking of the countless businesses, the military, news journalists, and high school typing class environments... you might readily surmise that the Underwood, the LC Smith, the Remington, etc were in every office on every floor, in every business or office and so on through decades of service. Not unlike the "Windows PC" desktop which seems much more common early on compared to laptops (the smart phone and tablet now being clear winner in numbers produced). I love the SMC portables, my Olympia portable, but those must surely not have been "in the wild" in greater numbers than the "standard" typewriter.
You are correct but do not underestimate the willingness, and determination, of such environments to mercilessly terminate working machines when obsolete and perceived to be on the losing end of their lifecycle. One accountant in the corporation I work for struggled to save "just in case" one perfectly working standard electric from the many we had many years ago, as a 'last resort' machine, in a remote closet. People tends to be more conservative, and nostalgic, than professionals, so maybe a higher percentage of small and medium machines survived into present time, and possibly into future preservation. I noticed that portables can usually fetch some little money, but large office machines (expecially if from 70s and 80s) are often offered for close to nothing, as there is very little demand for them, despite having been much more expensive back then, at least here in Italy.
Olympia SG1, Olympia Report Deluxe, Erika Model M, Olympia Splendid 99. Id love a SGE 40 instead of the Report but, alas, I have none. Selectrics are boring to me. Too far removed from tradition typewriters. The limitations of typewriters is what makes them charming, once you add interchangeable fonts or lift-off correction, I might aswell be using my computer. So no electronics for me either.
There is nothing "minimal" about this approach or owning 30 typewriters. (I am not judging, I have the same passion for lots of machines!). A minimal approach would be just one typewriter-like a Hermes 3000 (theoretically). I think what you are really talking about is what one needs for a comprehensive collection. I know I struggle with which machine to use on any given day. It is like being polygamous.
Olá! Minha ideia para uma coleção é muito parecida com a sua. Atualmente eu tenho: 1 Olivetti Linea 98 - repleta de recursos, enorme e pesada. 1 Olivetti Lettera 82 - presente de infância, ultra portátil, com espaçamento 1,5 entre linhas, com valor sentimental. 1 Olivetti Praxis 201 II - a representante da linha eletrônica. Aqui no Brasil, é difícil encontrar as máquinas de escrever norte americanas a um preço aceitável, assim como as europeias. Já as Olivetti e alguns modelos de Remington, principalmente as portáteis e Facit fabricadas no Brasil, são relativamente fáceis e muitas vezes baratas e em boas condições. Ainda desejo ter uma Smith-Corona ou Hermes 3000 e alguma térmica.👍 Hello! My idea for a collection is very similar to yours. Currently I have: 1 Olivetti Linea 98 - full of features, huge and heavy. 1 Olivetti Lettera 82 - childhood gift, ultra portable, with 1.5 spacing between lines, with sentimental value. 1 Olivetti Praxis 201 II - the representative of the electronic line. Here in Brazil, it is difficult to find North American typewriters at an acceptable price, as well as European ones. On the other hand, the Olivetti and some Remington models, mainly the portable and Facit made in Brazil, are relatively easy and often cheap and in good condition. I still wish I had a Smith-Corona or Hermes 3000 and some thermal. Google translate.
Joe, I can't believe I had missed this one.
Right now, I've been going between two machines, back a forth.
1959 Hermes 3000
1964 SCM Galaxie Deluxe
I love the super buttery thump thump of the Hermes, that smooth and precise carriage slide, hard to beat.
Then I get the Galaxie Deluxe out, and the crisp slug sound with the light slush touch and a really flat key texture is such a satisfying follow up.
Both for me disappear.
I still only have 6 machines in my collection, theres a couple I'm looking at, but for now I love the ones I have.
When I'm going to be stuck in the car for about an hour, i have a bag with my brother EP-20 in it, paper and batteries, a couple of folders, I have a kid I drop of to extra outside of school activities, so I'll happily wait in the car and work.
For me as you know I'm a bit of a unicorn in that I collect Typewriters, restore and maintain them, but I also use them. And this might be the reason I'm just at 6 in my collection, I use them all to write my first drafts then into the computer it goes for further drafts and edits before it goes off to my editor.
So the machines I have all fill the work flow I do.
The Galaxie Deluxe and Hermes 3000 are me switch backs at the table, the EP-43 is my Excalibur when im stuck in bed and want to write, the EP-20 is out on the go, the 1972 SCM Electra 110 is lol a kind of emergency vehicle, I want to work but I don't want to crunch keys and yet I don't want to use a thermal typewriter, or Maybe I just want to go a lot faster, that big gun comes out.
Thats pretty much it.
But wait, that's only 5, I said I have 6. What about that 6th machine?
That would be the extremely excellent condition 1968 Royal Aristocrat Special, this was my first Typewriter that was sort of a gift from my wife she wanted to buy it as I spotted it in a pawn shop.
I wish I had done a bit more research on it, but it's how we learn I suppose.
It's in truth a really great machine, and it is as I said in very excellent condition, but I had found things online about it's counterparts the regular Aristocrat, which is the same as the Safari, Saber and there's another one....Tower?
Anyway, this article was put out by Just Type, and it had read about what these machines are best used for, which is short writings or one to two paged letters, they are not something you would want to write a novel on, because the operation is just so darn heavy, it's a bit of a hand work out.
I typically write 6 to 10 single spaced pages a day, and I can get to about 7 pages and thats it, I have gone to 10, but I was sorry.
Beautiful looking machine classic egg shell Robin Blue Sky and Ivory White keys and face. So that one I take out once in a while and crack out a letter one.
Next letter will be from that Royal Aristocrat Special. Why its a special, I'm not sure, but it just has a decorative name plate on the carriage in the upper right, and the margine sets look different than the normal Aristocrat, Safari, or Saber. Silver pins with red dots in the center almost jewel like you push down and slide back and forth depending on where you want your margins set.
After getting that Hermes 3000, its a really tough act to follow.
No. 5 - IBM SELECTRIC -> Oh, how I yearned for an IBM Selectric throughout high school and college - and envied the kids whose parents bought them one. I recently acquired the Personal Typewriter model. It's a wonderful machine, and I enjoy collecting its changeable elements. But it's far noisier than I remembered, half of the elements on the market have those levers that break, and even with touch-typing, it's hard to see what you've put on the line. I love my Selectric, but I often recall what Spock advised Stonn: "After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true."
I think one element, at least for me, involved in the "need" to increase the size of my collection is the desire to try different makes and models and no real way to do that other than finding and buying one to see if I like it. Things like type-ins are great opportunities to try new machines (though to my knowledge there isn't one in my area) but fall short of the days when these machines were actually sold in stores where, presumably, you could try them out before buying them. Nowadays, if you want to try it you have to buy it and that can lead to a large collection awfully quickly. I think that if I had the opportunity to try some of my grail machines, I would probably decide that I don't want them in my collection after all (as I've discovered through buying some disappointments). As always, great video and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Ha! That'll be the day when you get down to six. :D
have culled my collection to 3 machines, only ones that I use. They are an late 1960's Olympia SM-9, and a '65 Olympia SF, and a '64 Olivetti Lettera 32.. I might go and get another backup Olivetti Lettera 32 machine, cuz it is the machine I use the most.
I tend to be interested in aesthetics and have collected seven or eight typewriters pretty much based on how much I like their visual design. That leaves out popular models or brands like any Hermes, which I don’t find particularly attractive. The only near-duplicate models I own are an Olympia SM4 and an SM3 , the latter I only keep because it has a cursive typeface, otherwise I wouldn’t have two of the same kind of typewriters. I also only have one standard model (1921 Royal 10 dual window) because I don’t really have room for those. My others are all mid-size manuals. I don’t find most electrics particularly attractive either (except for a few harder-to-find models). But of the eight or so typewriters I own, I think they cover almost everything that interests me design-wise (though I probably would like a Royal Safari and maybe a SC Classic 10).
That’s an interesting approach to collecting! Thank you!
I just wanted 1 epic portable with glass keys. I found it at the thrift last week. Corona Stirling flat top in the rarest green color
Congrats! That’s a great way to do it: get the prettiest machine you can find. Here’s hoping you have many years of pleasant use.
We talked about this on typepals, but I think I reached the target of a cool "minimalist complete collection". Max 30 units,
Various brands, models, years, .... From My Royal 10 to my Olympia "Nakajima" Report Electronic, 4 Hermes (3 3000 from 3 different decades and a media 3), ....
I just have to finish with a beautiful Oliver (I'm on it), a Valentine (I gave mine to a friend, need my own) And of course, more selectric (for parts or not)
Thanks for this cool video.
In 1976, I bought my Dad an Adler J5 manual portable for his 60th birthday, even though he still used his 1926 Royal No. 10 which he had used all thru high school and college and for decades afterwards. After my Dad died in 2005, I inherited those two one-owner machines. The Adler has been in the case since my Dad died and it is in mint condition. The 1926 Royal No 10 is in good condition for a 97 year old machine and it still types just fine. But... it needs to be worked on - the letter "a" sticks sometimes and the carriage return "pauses" for a nano-second in the center. And the bell rings sometimes, but not always. My Dad took excellent care of his typewriters, so there is nothing major wrong with it. It is just old, like me 🙂 In my personal collection, I have a 1946 Smith Corona Silent and a 1948 Royal Quiet Deluxe. So that's a total of 4 typewriters..... all manuals. 1926, 1946, 1948 and 1976. As I approach my twilight years, I want to pare down to 2 typewriters for daily use...... But... which two for serious daily writing? So difficult.....
It's a blessing to have various machines, and also presents a dilemma. The struggle is real!
On the mark(s), as usual. Thanks.
6:13 Of course, the Selecrtic is in its own category. I love a Correcting II myself, and would, if required by extreme pressure, give up all other typewriters, provided I had an IBM repairman close by :)
I have two typewriters, Olympia with "kursive" font and Lettera 22.
So "kursive" for personal Greetings, and the portable for my everyday/everywhere diarywriting.
My collection:
1. Ultra Portable - Own the Skyriter. Bought a cheap one and need to refurb a bit.
2. Portable - Want the Hermes 3000. Might as well get the fancy one.
3. Standard - ????
I am a writer/typewriter collector meaning that I like all typewriters that are made for writers. This makes for a practical, user friendly collection and eliminates some of the high maintenance models or pretty but not so practical models. My dad's typewriter is included in this, an Adler Meteor in excellent condition because he was also OCD about his typewriter. He wrote on his every weekend to creating sermons for church. It also includes Smith Corona 5 series, Olympia SM series and some of the more durable ultra portables.
Joe, as you know, I love the Smith Premier machines with the double keyboards of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and only the model 10 is a visible typer. Nothing beats the sound of a Smith Premier bell. However, I also love the Olympias, whether standard or medium portable for that 1 1/2 space capability. I don't have an ultraportable from Olympia Why are there no fraction keys when I need one? I also have a lot of Smith Corona 5 series portables, including one 5TE. The Smith Corona 4 series machine I have is a favorite as it meets all of your criteria except the 1 1/2 spacing. I would have trouble getting my collection down as I also like different typefaces. My categories would go something like this: Pre-1900's, Pre-WWI, Pre-WWII, Post WWII (1940's-1950's), 1960's-1980's, everything else (thermals, wedges, etc.).
I also like having a variety of different machines encompassing different styles and era's be they manual or electric even though I'm not a writer at all. I have even come around to appreciating machines, such as the compact Japanese machines like Brothers, that I back in the day would somewhat dismiss as being cheap and tinny without having given them a go.
Were I to truly minimize my "typewriter footprint" in an attempt to simplify things, I would choose just one of my Olympia SM9's, ideally with an 11 CPI typeface. I own a number of other machines that are more desirable among collectors. But out of all the typewriters I've been able to get my hands on thus far, for me personally nothing has managed to better the SM9 as a pure writing tool. As I don't tend to lug typewriters around with me, one portable sized machine would be all I really need.
As far as reality in the here and now goes, in addition to all of the portable machines I own, I also own one standard sized typewriter and a few ultraportables because I enjoy the variety of typing experiences they provide along with the various typefaces I have to choose from. The majority of typewriters that I own are mid-century German-made models. Over the past few year I purchased around 25 machines in total. However, I have also managed to give a few of them away. I like the idea of helping to grow the typewriter community, getting typewriters into the hands who don't own them and opening their eyes to the enjoyment these machines can bring. While I doubt that I'll ever bring myself to own just one single typewriter again, I am currently attempting to work my way back down to a dozen machines. From there I'll see how things go.
I currently own four typewriters, and they are as follows (in the order in which I acquired them): an IBM Personal Typewriter, a Royal Safari manual portable, an IBM Selectric 711, and a Smith-Corona 5TE electric that I bought just two weeks ago and will be picking up from the repair shop this week. I do not plan to amass a large collection of machines; however, I do find that my aspirations are much like yours, Joe, in that I want to have a variety of different types of machines at my disposal. At this point, I'm almost satisfied with what I have but procuring a fifth machine, a Royal FPP full-sized standard machine would completely round out my collection per my desires. Ever since I was a child I've loved to type and any excuse I can find to use a typewriter is a good excuse for me to do something I consider to be enjoyable.
I hope you find much joy in your collection!
I personally tend to go for the more unique or odd machines, ones that have a special feature not often found elsewhere, like my Oliver No. 7, for example, or my Corona Special, which also happens to be the only ultraportable I currently own. I have a Remington noiseless 6 which I love because I can use it without disturbing someone nearby. I go for variety but in a different way. Though I also have my workhorses, and the machines I have mostly just because I love typing on them so much. My (bright blue) Royal Model P is my favorite when it comes to pure typing experience. It's such a gorgeous machine and in a lot of ways straddles the line between portable and ultraportable. There's machines I could do without but for two of them I keep them for sentimental reasons because they spearheaded this hobby for me. I actually dont have a lot of the machines one would often consider 'typical' in a collection. I had a Royal Quiet DeLuxe for a while but I sold it, and I've never owned a smith corona portable or ultra portable- actually the only machine I own that says "smith-corona" on the front of it is a super-speed with an ultrawide carriage. I had a remington portable (ultraportable), that I sold because I couldn't stand typing on it, and no amount of freshening it up (I tried) could get the stench that was in that case out. Other than that I've never owned a more 'classic' style ultraportable, (I personally think the Corona special is in its own little category, since it doesnt have the carriage that's buried in the back of the machine, and when opened it honestly is much more like a funny-looking portable).
I have the curse of not having space in my house. So in order to buy a new machine, I have to get rid of one of the old ones.
Now I want to buy a Remington KMC, so I have to give up one of my SG3s.
If I had a lot of free space, I would only buy large format machines.
A number of years ago I ran into a similar issue with my vinyl LP's. (I started buying them in the 70's and never stopped.) With the passing of time, I've come to appreciate being limited in terms of what I can keep. Whether talking about LP's, typewriters, or whatever else, this inevitably creates a need to cull and refine those things that we own. I figure that in the end I've wound up with more of what I really like and less "filler material" so to speak. It works the same way with typewriters.
While I own a lot of vinyl and quite a few typewriters, in neither case do I consider myself a collector. Realistically, I am a person who really likes music and typing. Good luck with your decisions going forward.
I own some Olivettis (Lettera 22, 32, 35, Studio 44) and Hermes (Baby and Media 3 - 1st gen. ). I have also an Olympia ultraportable that looks exactly like yours (QWERTZ machine, though, so I seldom use it). I don't plan to source a standard (may consider one Lexicon in the future but this is unlikely as I have used and appreciated them they are really difficult to collect in a flat though). Love them. I have also a perfectly working Remington Quiet-Riter that is a joy to use and possibly my favouriter 😂 machine.
Nice
Fantastic video Joe. My one standard would be the Olympia SG3, my portable, the Olympia SM7, ultra portable, Smith Corona Corsair, and type bar electric, the Royal Apollo 10. I don't own a IBM Selectric or thermal, but of the categories represented in my collection, these would be my minimal, (although I'd lament the loss of my two SM9s)
My collection surprised me once I realized what I was doing. (By the way, I'm an author and type my manuscripts on my machines.) I'm partial to Royals and Smith Coronas. I have the KMM, an HH (both in Elite) and two versions of the Quiet DeLuxe. My first Royal I inherited from my grandfather, and it's the plain DeLuxe, so you can say I have examples of how Royal portables evolved from the '30s to the '50s. For my Smith Corona collection, we start with a Super Silent and then it's all Galaxie machines, because I really like those (I have five). I even had a Galaxie 12 custom painted dark red; it's terrific. I owned a Selectric for about a year. In fact, same model & color as yours--it had to be blue!--but much preferred the daisy wheel machines so I sold the IBM and kept two daisy wheel Smith Coronas. I think what sacred me off the IBM was the heavy maintenance when required--I can clean and fix a manual, but a Selectric? Whole other learning curve. Of course somebody's going to tell me I made a terrible mistake, and I'll agree. The one "odd duck" in my collection is a Hermes 3000. It was fully restored, new platen, etc. -- but I'm not in love with it. It's the one I consider selling the most. I always decide to keep it because it's really a good machine, but it ain't no KMM!
Great video! ETA: Why are there lines through this? I can't remove them!
I was so happy. I had a mint and quite modern Olympus Traveler Delux that was great to type on and a 1939 Baby Empire that was ultra portable and historic and filled both those niches. No need to ever get another machine or into collecting! Then my daughter expressed an interest (she may have just been being polite) so I bought her a machine. Then the other day there was an immaculate Adler Contessa de Luxe (cubic type face) in a local charity shop for a keen price. I resisted for 24 hours then bought it. Hand on heart can I swear that if I see a similar deal again I won't go for it? No! That evil typewriter pusher Joe Van Cleave has got me hooked! I have a browser tab open looking for thermal machines on eBay at this very moment - and I should be working!!
The struggle is real!
An Erika 10 should meet most of your requirements for a portable: smaller font type (11 cpi), 1, 1.5 and 2 lines spacing. Type disentangler lever. Center lock for transport. Soft touch. And somehow better than the Optima.
It is ironic that we tend to own many typewriters today, when most folks, in the days before computers, got along with only one. Writers and journalists excepted.
I have a worry about thermal paper, that the writing will degrade and disappear over time.
The damning issue of ribbon cartridge availability has sunk my heart. So many good machines are obsolete because of that.
One positive aspect of having so many machines in my collection, is the luxury of having many typefaces to choose from (:
One negative aspect of having many different machines is that one never really gets fully familiar with the functions and keyboard layout of tab, backspace and margin release keys.
Hermes Ambassador, Olivetti lettera 32, Antares parva, canon typestar 220, smith corona coronet super. I don’t like the sound of selectrics and so won’t ever have one. In a fire I’d grab the Lettera 32. Of course this may all change next week!! Im waiting on a Hermes 2000 and a Remington quiet-riter to arrive!
So far my collection has a lot of 60s and 70s since I'm looking for the greatest functionality, but now I'm thinking about getting something prewar to fill out an entirely different era.
I would like to have:
1. A 1950’s Royal standard
2. A 1950’s ultraportable
3. A compact IBM Selectric
4. A 1950’s Olympia portable
5. A 1950’s Smith Corona portable
6. A 1930’s Corona portable
Very, very nice video 🙌
Wow, I never realised Joe doesn't have a standard Underwood! I have an Underwood 3 from the 1920's and It's one of the sturdiest machines ever.
As for my perfect minimal collection,I'm in a situation which can be loomed at from both a posirive and negative point. I live in a slavic country, so I collect both cyrilic and latin ceyboard typewriters. And since I write in both languages, I always kinda want to have one from each type (lightweight portable, medium portable ans standard) for each language. That makes my minimal collection way larger, and I don't even think I'm there yet - I've got 8 maschines (Underwood No3, Adler 32A, Maritsa 12, Madamme 400, Olivetti letera 32, Rheinmetall Gs, Erika 115 and my last, if I may add, incredible find, the rare Perkeo No3).
how do you like the underwood 3’s typing experience compared to newer portables?
@@CorinChellberg honestly, I like it better
@@winfried3208 ty! i’m eyeing one
@@CorinChellberg Np! I'd definatelly get it if the price is good
My minimalist collection:
Olivetti Lettera 22
Hermes 3000
Smith Corona Sterling
Groma Kolibri
Royal Model O.
That's a quality collection for certain!
Necessary! What is this neccssary...I don't understand this concept.
I might disagree with your initial statement about the "med. size portable" being the most ubiquitous typewriter vs the "full size" models. When thinking of the countless businesses, the military, news journalists, and high school typing class environments... you might readily surmise that the Underwood, the LC Smith, the Remington, etc were in every office on every floor, in every business or office and so on through decades of service. Not unlike the "Windows PC" desktop which seems much more common early on compared to laptops (the smart phone and tablet now being clear winner in numbers produced). I love the SMC portables, my Olympia portable, but those must surely not have been "in the wild" in greater numbers than the "standard" typewriter.
You are correct but do not underestimate the willingness, and determination, of such environments to mercilessly terminate working machines when obsolete and perceived to be on the losing end of their lifecycle. One accountant in the corporation I work for struggled to save "just in case" one perfectly working standard electric from the many we had many years ago, as a 'last resort' machine, in a remote closet. People tends to be more conservative, and nostalgic, than professionals, so maybe a higher percentage of small and medium machines survived into present time, and possibly into future preservation. I noticed that portables can usually fetch some little money, but large office machines (expecially if from 70s and 80s) are often offered for close to nothing, as there is very little demand for them, despite having been much more expensive back then, at least here in Italy.
Olympia SG1, Olympia Report Deluxe, Erika Model M, Olympia Splendid 99. Id love a SGE 40 instead of the Report but, alas, I have none.
Selectrics are boring to me. Too far removed from tradition typewriters. The limitations of typewriters is what makes them charming, once you add interchangeable fonts or lift-off correction, I might aswell be using my computer. So no electronics for me either.
Fantastic video! Love the content… So happy learn about my own collection and potential acquisitions from you! #iwillonedayownahermes
There is nothing "minimal" about this approach or owning 30 typewriters. (I am not judging, I have the same passion for lots of machines!). A minimal approach would be just one typewriter-like a Hermes 3000 (theoretically). I think what you are really talking about is what one needs for a comprehensive collection. I know I struggle with which machine to use on any given day. It is like being polygamous.
2 one desktop on portable
Olá! Minha ideia para uma coleção é muito parecida com a sua.
Atualmente eu tenho:
1 Olivetti Linea 98 - repleta de recursos, enorme e pesada.
1 Olivetti Lettera 82 - presente de infância, ultra portátil, com espaçamento 1,5 entre linhas, com valor sentimental.
1 Olivetti Praxis 201 II - a representante da linha eletrônica.
Aqui no Brasil, é difícil encontrar as máquinas de escrever norte americanas a um preço aceitável, assim como as europeias. Já as Olivetti e alguns modelos de Remington, principalmente as portáteis e Facit fabricadas no Brasil, são relativamente fáceis e muitas vezes baratas e em boas condições.
Ainda desejo ter uma Smith-Corona ou Hermes 3000 e alguma térmica.👍
Hello! My idea for a collection is very similar to yours.
Currently I have:
1 Olivetti Linea 98 - full of features, huge and heavy.
1 Olivetti Lettera 82 - childhood gift, ultra portable, with 1.5 spacing between lines, with sentimental value.
1 Olivetti Praxis 201 II - the representative of the electronic line.
Here in Brazil, it is difficult to find North American typewriters at an acceptable price, as well as European ones. On the other hand, the Olivetti and some Remington models, mainly the portable and Facit made in Brazil, are relatively easy and often cheap and in good condition.
I still wish I had a Smith-Corona or Hermes 3000 and some thermal. Google translate.
You have a very nice collection! Cheers!
thank you, kindness of you. your collection is impressive.
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