Tag Archives: collecting typewriters
The Skinny, June ’18
On the road. With typewriter.
The (almost) $1 Olympia Traveller
I met up with a good friend today for lunch. He is always kind enough to keep me in mind when he’s out at yard sales and such, knowing that I collect typewriters. He recently sent me a text message asking if he should buy this Olympia Traveller DeLuxe for one dollar. I said HECK YEAH!

The 1977 Olympia Traveller DeLuxe SN 5-3260264
Brought it home after lunch. Re-threaded the ribbon correctly (folks notoriously thread the ribbon into the vibrator incorrectly). Rolled in some paper – perfect! A small amount of cleaning and she’ll be ready for the party!
It did cost me slightly more than a dollar, I picked up the tab for lunch. HA! Still a screaming deal! Thanks Bryan. ~TH~
SC Coronet Super 12
Here we have the Smith-Corona Super 12 Electric, serial number 6LEF 518359G. Rescued from my late mother-in-law’s home. It was packed away decades ago, filthy. I spent the past hour cleaning gunk out of it, and letting the “engine” run.
Original purchase receipt shows that this critter was purchased new at Dahlkemper’s Department Store on October 31, 1981. My wife tells me that this department store was actually a showroom. You carried a clipboard with you and wrote down the items you wanted, then placed the clipboard on a conveyer belt that carried it to the back room for item retrieval. Out would come your items on another conveyer to be rung up. I’ll bet that kept five-finger discounts to a minimum!
Nice, crisp type. I had to clean it up a bit, and it took a while for all the keys to snap back to life, but I got her back on the road!
Here is all the associated ephemera.

The original sales receipt, October 1981. Paid $225, but it should have been $222. Looks like the clerk was skimming.

Good first impression; I’m impressed.

Five LPs for ten typing lessons. Oh no, now I have to find a record player!

This white correct-o gunk was all over the insides, turning into glue. Yuck!
1946 SC Clipper
The newest addition to the collection. Just taking some quick photos with the photobox, I’ll be officially logging the Clipper soon. Oh boy! ~TH~
Lag Time – Plus Thanks For The Info!
Thank you to my typewriter homies for the info on the upcoming typewriter event in Morgantown this month. I plan to be there Friday and Saturday. Rumor has it that luminaries Richard Polt and Will Davis may attend, among many others. I’m so excited I can hardly type without jamming the slugs!!
Now to the whining…
Typed on the 2005 Brother SX4000. ~T~