Chinese-made fake typewriters have been turning up for a few years now. They’re intended as decorative items, probably for places like restaurants or clubs where they can contribute to a phony “old-timey” feel and people won’t give them a second look.
Now there’s a new development, which I spotted on eBay today: a cast-resin miniature that is itself an imitation of a copy of a phony typewriter: a fake fake fake!
So what is the origin of this weird object?
As I pointed out nearly five years ago, the root (real) typewriter is a Gourland.
The fake version of it is a Govrland.
This became Governor’s Land (via a country club in Virginia).
And now we have GOVERNGRS IAND.
What will be next?
How bizarre! I can’t imagine what the next generation fake will look like :D
Grover's Hand
it's like some weird game of "telephone"
I am not sure about the fakes but I do like the Gourland! The open ribbon spools are unique touches and the bright yellow key tops make this a whimsical package! When are you starting Polt Typewriter Rentals? I would like dibs rental on this one and the Humber 99.
Yes, I have seen some of them on Amazon. One seemed also to work … sort of. I wasn't quite sure what to think about it.
Gross. The only thing I think those would be good for would be to put them out in the garden instead of real ones
I'm reminded of the time when I was walking past stalls in Patpong, Bangkok selling fake Swiss watches. When I commented to one hawker that the prices of his Rolexes were higher than the others, he replied "But mine are real fakes, not like those!"
Come on over to Cincy and you can try my typewriters!
The open ribbon spools are probably not original, I'm not sure how they got to be that way.
Huh. So it had moving parts?
Great line!
Or we could turn them into lamps … or cut off the "keys" and make jewelry …
This is so weird, even the name is badly copied. On the other hand, if I had to copy a Chinese text, it would probably turn out worse. Great find though!