Well, it wasn’t the happiest 24 hours in this collector’s life. But at least I didn’t spend any money!
On eBay yesterday, someone (one of you?)* outbid me for a unique item that would have been a real gem for my collection: a prototype Remington Noiseless Portable, which according to the seller had belonged to a Remington executive.
*Right after I posted this, I saw that on Facebook, Brian Hagermann volunteered his identity as its proud new owner. Congratulations, Brian!
The immediately noticeable difference from RNP’s as we know them is the two-piece structure of the sheet metal covering the typebar mechanism. Also different: the knobs on the ribbon covers, and typebars that are straight instead of slightly curved.
Enjoy it, Brian!
Today I headed to two local antique malls to see if I could find a compensation prize. One of them had zero typewriters; the other had the following. Would you have been tempted by any of them?
Remington Ten Forty, $97.95. Bits of rust, yellowed plastic.
L.C. Smith, 14-inch carriage, $65, usual wear and tear.
1920s Underwood no. 5, filthy, reduced to $125.
Another no. 5 from the ’20s, shinier. Unfortunately, my photo didn’t capture the price, but it was also over $100, I think.
Mid-fifties “Royal Quiet Deluxe” (actually Royal HH), reduced to $99.99. Very good typewriter, but …
OK, this one was a little tempting: a very pretty streamlined Corona from the late thirties. But it had various nicks and scratches, and the space bar wasn’t working. Probably an easy fix … but $220?
That’s it.
Meanwhile, here are a couple more typewriters that I’ve put up for sale (details here). I didn’t acquire any new machines in the last 24 hours, and I’m trying to escort some out the door. That’s the right direction … right?
If I had the cash, I think the L.C. Smith would’ve come home with me. I’ve heard somewhere that its typebars had ball bearing linkages–I don’t know this for certain–so I’ve wanted to have one ever since.
It’s true, and they’re individually hung instead of all hanging on a fulcrum rod that runs through a segment. It creates a distinctive feeling that is worth a try sometime.
I’m definitely going to look for one that I can afford. Thanks for your reply. It sounds like the perfect machine for the kind of work I’d like to do.