Well, let's put it this way: it was because of the two Olivettis my dad bought for us so many years ago that I started collecting typewriters. And the old family machines are still my favorites overall.
I love the relationships, either love or hate, that writers have with their typewriters. That they mention them by brand says a lot. I think most people usually just say "my TV" or "my dishwasher," but it seems that references to typewriters are often more specific.
I love my Lexikon 80. The smaller Olivettis don't always have the snap and smoothness that I covet, but I appreciate their design qualities and features, especially the metal-bodied ones from the '50s. And of course, the MP1 is an Art Deco gem.
Leonard Cohen is one of my favorite song writers (betraying my age here) and although I've read that he had an olive-green Lettera 22, I've never seen this quote. Thanks Ton!
@Peter, I sure do, I remember those two Olivettis you mention, plus your two Studio 44's.
@Miguel, yeah, that was your Studio 46. We're from the same typewriter planet, no?
@Dana, "my dishwasher"... haha! So true, and I know it's largely because typewriters are more proximate human analogs and constant partners in the creative process.
@Richard, thanks! I agree 100% on Lexikon 80, such a well designed machine and an awesome performer, I am quite attached to it. The Ico is really a work of art, I'm lucky that some dude sold me his. ( :
@Ping, good to hear from you, glad you got a kick out of the Leonard Cohen quote. I trust that you are getting along fine with your Studio 44.
excellent! so good to hear (and see) these authors waxing on about their soulful machines....excellent photos , i specially love the Jack Kerouac--thanks for including them
Once I got a new ribbon in the thing, and once I got up the nerve to adjust the shift-height problem, the Lettera 33 is probably tops among my collection w/r/t cleanness of copy. And it's always been a dream to type on. And quite a looker, too! Mark me down in the love category.
@Duffy, Lettera 33/DL is one Olivetti that has remained elusive to me, I just haven't found one that's both in good condition, and at the right price. But it is definitely on my list. Yep, it's a handsome Olivetti, that one!
13 comments:
I only own one that has an escapement problem, but the working ones I used I liked. They all had a great action.
Mine is a Studio 44 parts unit from - guess- Ebay. One day I hope to have it working.
I think you know where I land on this spectrum. The Lettera 22 is one of my best bikecasters and the M44 is visually stunning and great to use.
Well, let's put it this way: it was because of the two Olivettis my dad bought for us so many years ago that I started collecting typewriters. And the old family machines are still my favorites overall.
I love the relationships, either love or hate, that writers have with their typewriters. That they mention them by brand says a lot. I think most people usually just say "my TV" or "my dishwasher," but it seems that references to typewriters are often more specific.
Interesting quotes you found!
I love my Lexikon 80. The smaller Olivettis don't always have the snap and smoothness that I covet, but I appreciate their design qualities and features, especially the metal-bodied ones from the '50s. And of course, the MP1 is an Art Deco gem.
Leonard Cohen is one of my favorite song writers (betraying my age here) and although I've read that he had an olive-green Lettera 22, I've never seen this quote. Thanks Ton!
@Bill, been waiting for your Studio 44 typecast!
@Peter, I sure do, I remember those two Olivettis you mention, plus your two Studio 44's.
@Miguel, yeah, that was your Studio 46. We're from the same typewriter planet, no?
@Dana, "my dishwasher"... haha! So true, and I know it's largely because typewriters are more proximate human analogs and constant partners in the creative process.
@Richard, thanks! I agree 100% on Lexikon 80, such a well designed machine and an awesome performer, I am quite attached to it. The Ico is really a work of art, I'm lucky that some dude sold me his. ( :
@Ping, good to hear from you, glad you got a kick out of the Leonard Cohen quote. I trust that you are getting along fine with your Studio 44.
excellent! so good to hear (and see) these authors waxing on about their soulful machines....excellent photos , i specially love the Jack Kerouac--thanks for including them
b.c. thanks for dropping in, glad you liked them. The Kerouac is my favorite as well. The pic, I mean, not the testimony!
Once I got a new ribbon in the thing, and once I got up the nerve to adjust the shift-height problem, the Lettera 33 is probably tops among my collection w/r/t cleanness of copy. And it's always been a dream to type on. And quite a looker, too!
Mark me down in the love category.
@Duffy, Lettera 33/DL is one Olivetti that has remained elusive to me, I just haven't found one that's both in good condition, and at the right price. But it is definitely on my list. Yep, it's a handsome Olivetti, that one!
Bah. Kerouac. BAROP-inducing besides, he's maligning a tried-and-true brand!
@mikespeegle, let us forgive Kerouac, for he knoweth not what he saith.
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