Hello AT,
I have a burning desire for an electric typewriter. Am I the only person in the world?
Where do I even start? I don't want a complicated digital one, but one that can at least do the whole white-out tape cartridge thing. It can't be big or ugly of course. Is there some cool designer one that would look cute in my modern apartment? Or is there a decent vintage one I can get used?
Thank you! Jennie
(Pic: not electric, but nice from Reiseschreibmaschinen)
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I have one I will sell you cheap!! I would LOVE it to get used again, and to go to a good home!!!!
If interested, I'll get the specifics on it later tonight.
There's used to be a typewriter shop on the Upper Westside, on Amsterdam in the high-80s where I used to have my typewriters serviced: Osner Business Machines.( I have a Selectric and Smith-Corona's first electric typewriter which still look and work great -- though I am dreading what happens when my last ribbon runs dry.) The owner was a Mrs. Mary Adelman. The shop serviced Philip Roth, Roger Rosenblatt, and Joseph Heller when he was still alive. I read a couple of years ago when I was living in LA that she sold the shop. I haven't been up there seen I returned to the city a couple of months ago, so I don't know if it's still there...I just made a call they're now at 381 Park Avenue South. 381 Park Ave South. The number is 2128738734. Good luck.
CALL PATRICK (THE OTHER ONE)FIRST. But if for some reason he decides he can't part with it, you could try HG Limited. If they don't have it he might be able to tell you where to go. His number is 718-549-4712. If you could wait you could also take a look around the Pier Antiques Show (disclosure: I work for show producer) on March 18-19. I saw a couple of vintage type writers there once. But I know how it is when you want it "now". Did you know The Museum of Modern Art has one in their permanent collection designed by Olivetti? Oh gosh, can't remember if theirs is electric or not. Anyway good luck.
Try the Vermont Country Store Catalog. You might have to call.
The obvious candidate is Sottsass's "Valentine", in red, made by Olivetti in the 60s or 70s. These run, I think, about $200 on Ebay. Others of earlier vintage by Olivetti are also by a well-known designer whose name I can't recall, and also quite slick. E.g, the Lettera 22 Model. These can be found for $20 at flea markets.
Ebay, Ebay, Ebay.
did everyone hear that Ebay is being sued by a museum who bought things off of the website?
maybe you're not looking for a used one but there are soooo many at flea markets, i come across at least 2 good ones everytime i visit the one at the meadowlands (if you feel like making the trip it's pretty good when the weather gets warmer). I have two I bought at thriftshops, they are a little heavy but i love the way they look.
ycl, jennie wants an electric typwriter, the valentine is a manual. my vote is for the olivetti praxis 48 it's a great design try ebay for the best deal. also the website design addict might help too. the designer is sottsass
I learned to type on a portable electric typewriter with the little hammers. Once I passed the speed of 30 words per minute, the little hammers would get stuck together.
Electric typewriters are fine to use as long you're not a fast typist.
Wow, thank you guys! It's funny... I was trying to remember which one Greg Kinnear's character was so obsessed with in You've Got Mail.
I think that the ability to type fast (as Vicki pointed out) is probably pretty important because I want to use it for actual writing, as well as have it sit out looking stylish. Good to know that the hammer style ones lock up. The Valentine is indeed pretty hot looking. Oh, well.
Eddie, thank you for the history and contact info for Osner! I called and they only carry Selectrics, which I think are too big.
Kate, I will def. check out the Pier Antiques show. It would be great to try them out in person first.
Patrick TOO, I would be interested in seeing and hearing about your typewriter. In the meantime I'm checking out Olivetti models.
I think the trick will be to find the compromise between fashion and function. I'm not in a hurry, I want to buy the right one. Thanks again for all the great contact info and details! You guys are so knowledgeable.
jennie--
While not Olivetti-caliber style, it is low profile and passed my own test for being decent in appearance when I originally bought it.
Will try to get some pics of it this weekend.
Can't even remember the brand right now, but pretty sure it had one of those integral correction ribbons that you were interested in.
I'm selling an IBM Lexmark 1000 on ebay.
Item number: 7591757866
With self correcting memory. Shipping weight is 30 pounds. Functions: word underline, word erase, right flush, bold imprint and spell check. Paper and carrier movement keys allow you to move easily up, down, left or right to any location on the paper. The reprint function allows you to print additional copies of text from the correction memory so you can correct your text and then print a final copy. With a PowerWise mode which conserves energy when your typewriter is on but not in use. IBM Cartridge Printwheel II and the User's Guide are included.
I have been looking for the exact same thing! At the moment I have an Underwood Standard Portable Typewriter, but the ink ribbon is getting dry and it doesnt "print" as dark as I would like it to be. I am fast at typing and sometimes the hammers do get stuck. I have been looking for an electric typewriter online ( the Smith Corona seems to be what I'm looking for), but the problem is I can't tell how big it is, or how the keys feel. I think the swapmeet/flea market is a great idea, I'll look there. If you do happen to come across a model that you like, be sure to notify us!
Good luck.
I have an IBM typewriter at work for some reason the printwheel is not working correctly, no print is showing up on the paper. It seems as though the printwheel is not reaching the paper, the ribbon is new as is the printwheel. Can anyone give me some advice on how to fix this problem? Thankyou
hello i have an sears portable eletric typewriter and need soom info on how to unlock the carrige to type please respond thanks