Vintage Beauty.

Guess what this is?

Any ideas? Briefcase? Record player? No!



It's.....a Vintage Typewriter!

Aren't vintage typewriters beautiful?  Those of you who grew up using them, there's some nostalgia there, and maybe some discord as well. But it seems like, lately, typewriters are making a hipster-style comeback.  I've seen them on some of the "hipster" blogs, on some TV shows (New Girl, anyone?), and you will find piles of them on Ebay and Etsy.

I've been eyeing them for awhile. But why would you want an old typewriter?  Will you use it? Is it decor? Does it need to work?  I held off for awhile.  Part of the reason was that buying something on Etsy or Ebay takes all the charm, work, and the chase out of acquiring something beautiful.  So I just waited it out, not knowing what I'd even do with one if I had it.

But ah, fate.  I went shopping at a store I love near my mom's house.  I ALWAYS find something I like there - that's where the Oilers' glasses came from.  This time I found a whole pile of things I loved.  There was a beautiful camera that I adored, but didn't want to deal with film.  Isn't that sad?  It was an old Kodak Retinette (IIB I think?).  It looks like this one on Ebay.  It was gorgeous. But what would I do with it?  I carried it around lovingly for a few minutes to let it know it was appreciated, and sent it back to it's shelf. So sad.

Right next to it was a typewriter. I don't know what kind it was.  It was upwards of $80, and really, I just don't want to blow that kind of cash on a "fun" item.  I told my mom, if it was under $50, I'd buy it.

At the end of our shopping trip, she finds it.  Hanging out like it's been there forever, with a pricetag under $50. Like it was meant to be. Ah, heaven. It found my softspot.  Off with me it went.

We got it home and opened it up - everything works on it!
And look at how beautifully she types - in a script font!

There's a couple of keys that stick, but I think I found somewhere I can take her for a tune-up.

We sat down that night with it, the whole family, and my mom regaled us with stories of term papers, business school, typing classes, and the like. She taught me how to use the functions of the typewriter - how to clear the tabs, how to set tabs, and so on.  It was amazing!  That night of conversation was well worth the cost of the typewriter.

The case is in good condition, excellent on the outside, a little grubby on the inside. It looks like it's a 1965 Royal Parade typewriter.

And it's beautiful.  I still have to find a place to display it in all it's glory.

But for now, it sits safely in it's case, snuggled in, until it's ready to show the world how beautiful it is.

Thanks for stopping by - do you have a vintage typewriter? I'd love to see it!