Two Typewriters And A Partridge In A…
I bought two typewriters yesterday! Dad gave me some Christmas money and I thought it would be grand to have a manual, portable typewriter. I like the idea of writing on a typewriter because:
- I can type far faster than I can write
- When I use the computer/word processor I end up making changes and losing the original ideas, some of which should have been saved and gone back to — it would be nicer to have something that, even when edited (by hand or by key) will still hold a visible record of the train of ideas.
- Being able to take it anywhere is a definite plus, and without worry about batteries or outlets.
- My fingers could use the workout — they are not quite buff enough.
Anyway, this -> 
is one of the typewriters I bought, a Royal brand sumthin-sumthin,
and this -> 
is the other, a Hermes Rocket (or Baby — not sure). Aren’t they sweet?
If anyone out there knows anything about either model, or can tell me where to buy ribbons, etc. or have a typewriter serviced in the San Diego area, I would greatly appreciate the info. :) They should both arrive just before or just after Christmas. I am so excited!
You mean people still have typewriters? And actually use them? hahahaha Actually, I still have my old IBM Selectric. I never use it, but I can’t bear the thought of getting rid of it just cuz it was a great typewriter and I might need it some day!
Nothing like a manual portable that you can pull out of a dusty corner during a power outtage (and actually expect it to work) . . . Just try to count on batteries in a pinch . . . UPS, Generator, Hey! I only wanted to write a letter: Typewriter is second only to ink on a stick.
I fully support the ready and visible markup principle — you can get several generations that you know your own eyes can see — but most current word-processors do have a redline/strike-out capability.
I can knock out one/two-page letter before I turn on my hardwired peripherals and my computer finishes booting, certainly before I can find/choose a wordprocessing program. Even if that weren’t true, once you type a letter on a typewriter, the task is complete! With a computer, you then look forward to decent copy from your printer. E-mail is great, but the ease itself seems to trivialize it: Why should I write something important to me only to fall under an overzealous delete key?
Let them rip paper!
Ernie
Let them rip paper, indeed! Ernie, you are a man after my own heart. Believe me, I love the workhorse power of vi, and I am sure that there are word processing programs that may do close to what I would like when writing, but there is nothing like having my own scribbles and the scribbles of those who edit me all in one place, and in writing.
Oh, and for the record? I still send real, paper cards at Christmas and other occasions, even though — and while — I worked as a software engineer at bluemountain.com. :) I’m so old fashioned.
Yeah, I know it’s quite shocking.….…I too have a typewriter — an Underwood from 1927! And it still works quite well. Most people find it hard to believe that the postal system is still in place, and that I still remember how to write snail mail. Don’t have a heart attack anybody! Merry Christmas.
it starts so innocently.… Once you have a Hermes Baby, you want a Smith Corona Skyriter, or maybe a Zephyr. Then a Royal, and an Underwood, and a Remington, and then you hear about the Noiseless models, and you find a really nicely maintained Underwood #5 office typewriter from 1920.… soon you deny anything is wrong, as you rent a large storage locker to hold the collection.… ;-)
Hey, I just bought a hermes rocket too. It’s in really bad shape though and I’m wanting to get parts and such. If you find anything, please let me know. Thanks
it’s true it does start innocently enough, and now in my storage area i can’t tell you how many hermes babies there are as a result of the search of the perfect one a few years back. reminds me of a joke; A guy wanted to get rid of his manual typewriter so he left it in the back seat of his car, door unlocked, hoping someone would steak it, when he came back to the car, not only was the typewriter still there but someone had left another.
I’m on a mission to identify an old typewriter given to me by my parents. It’s a smith corona portable, and I *think* it’s a skyriter model, but I’m not sure. It has white keys and wrinkled grey paint over a metal body, no serial # (that I can find at least), and I haven’t been able to find any photo’s online that help. If anyone can assist, I’d be greatful. Email me, please, at wasakat@yahoo.com
i have a hermes rocket in perfect shape , whats it supposed to do??
I just acquired a Hermes Rocket in great shape. Don’t know its exact age, but it’s all metal case and housing with two flippers that pop up to expose the ribbon spools. It works well, and some enterprising owner glued a piece of what looks like indoor/outdoor carpet on the bottom to prevent skidding and noise feedback. Very neatly trimmed. Luv these personal touches.
I just listed a Hermes Rocket on ebay with a starting bid of 99 cents. I didn’t know people actually still used them.
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