Monday, July 2, 2012

Where have all the Typewriters Gone?

Yesterday I did what I always do on the first Sunday of the Month. I went to the Alameda Point Collectible show aka Alameda Flea Market. This gigantic flea market is one of the best in the West. It's about 2 miles long and 1/2 mile wide, you can find almost anything you need--or want. Want to read Flea Market Mysteries? Here's a link to a good list.

Without any real needs or wants, I decided to focus on a theme: Typewriters. Imagine how many words were written on these typewriters over the years. Maybe even some great mysteries!


































9 comments:

J. Kingston Pierce said...

Beautiful! I've worked on typewriters that look remarkably like two or three of those examples.

Cheers,
Jeff

Janet Rudolph said...

What I forgot to mention was that there were stories from vendors and other shoppers at many of the booths..

Gigi Pandian said...

I've never made it out to that Alameda flea market but have always meant to check it out. Your post renewed my interest! I'm not sure if I'll have the self control to leave without buying one of those cool typewriters....

Brian Drake said...

I paid $200 several years ago to have my grandfather's Royal typewriter repaired so I could type my books on it. I think I did my first novel on that machine before typing it into the computer. It's great fun.

Gary Dobbs/Jack Martin said...

Years ago I longed for a word processor but now in the days of PC's, I'm looking for an old typewriter.

John McEvoy said...

Great photos! I have two old Royals and an aged Underwood in my attic with which I am still loath to part. Rgds, John McEvoy

Unknown said...

Love these, Janet. I have two right now-- I gave my third one away to my son. My prize is a Hermes 2000 and there is nothing quite like typing on it. Thanks so much for posting.

Marjie said...

I had a tan Selectric III and a blue Selectric II without correction tape. I gave the blue one to my daughter when she opened her law practice, and other lawyers actually pay her to fill out forms that they would have to hand write, because she's the only one left with a typewriter!!! Her boyfriend thinks it's "cute and quaint". I think it's practical. My little boys (16 and 12) enjoy it. And at least if the power goes down you don't lose what you've written.

Janet Rudolph said...

Marje, that is so funny! I had my Mother's very old Royal. When I bought my first electric, it was a special Olivetti--a special order font. Then I got my first Mac... well, heaven ever since.