1894 Blickensderfer No. 5 Typewriter

Here is an 1894 Blickensderfer No. 5 typewriter that I got for Christmas. This amazing typewriter is in great shape, and still functions, although the ink ball needs ink. The Blicks did not have ribbon, but an ink ball/cylinder that inks the character right before it hits paper. You can see more about it on my official website, and on my YouTube channel: BKtypewriters101

My New Olympia SG 1 Typewriter (Senatorial Font)

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I picked this up Saturday at an Antique shop nearby for only $30, which is a great deal. This SG 1 has a weird Senatorial font, which almost looks robotish. It types very smooth, and feels great to the touch. It could benefit from a new ribbon, but for now it is fine. This typewriter is massive, but Olympia used the large size wisely. There are so many features, and the carriage comes off with only 2 switches, and some strength. These bad boys are extremely heavy. We have made a dust cover for it so that when I'm not using it, it will not get dusty, since I plan on using this one quite a bit. It is very clean, and only needed a light dust off when I bought it. Overall, I am extremely happy with it!

My WWII German Field Typewriter

Here is probably one of the most valuable typewriters I have in my collection:
WWII German Field Typewriter. Many of these machines, called the "Olympia Robust" were also made after the war, but this one that I have was captured by an American Soldier and brought back as a war souveneir. (On the case, it has the man's name, and army serial number) Another thing you may notice right away is that is has a QWERTY keyboard layout, not a German QWERTZ keyboard that it would originally have. My theory on this is that the man who brought it back was able to change the keys around for use at home (when doing research, it showed he was a "semi-skilled mechanic" and probably could have done this. The keyboard still contains the Umalauts above the U,O, and A. It also still has (not rubbed off) the German Nazi SS symbol above the 5 key. The shift keys, along with the shift lock, and margin release key (I think) are also in German. There is also the instruction maunal pasted to the inside of the case (top - not in picture) which is written in German. I would have loved to know where this typewriter was caputred, and where it was.. What battles it was in. This typewriter was made for clacking away on the battlefield, not a calm peaceful office. Who knows who used it back in its day.

The man who brought this typewriter to America died in 2011 the same day his wife did. I got this typewriter at a bidboard auction for a steal in October 29, 2011. Only $75 won it for me. This one still works, although I never type on it. It is probably worth around $800-$1,000.

See my YouTube video on this for all of the information, and to see the bottom of the case where the man's name is located.

My YouTube channel: BKtypewriters101

1936 Remington Noiseless Typewriter

Here's a Remington Noiseless Portable typewriter from around 1936. This one is in great cosmetic condition, all the labels in wonderful condition, but it has some mechanical problems...

1. One of the clips that holds the paper in place is missing (you can see one is on the left, but not on the right side of the platen)

2. The carriage return lever has been snapped of at some time...

3. The carriage string is broken...

4. The ribbon vibrator is bent slightly (I need to bend it back into place)

5. I need a new ribbon for it, if I ever get it working.

With all these (some minor, and some major) mechanical problems, I only paid around $30 for it... But I still belive it's worth it. The cosmetic condition is just amazing, so It's a great decortation piece. All of the labels are still in excellent shape too.

My 1897 Remington Standard No. 6 Typewriter

This picture is of my 1897 Remington Standard No. 6 typewriter. Like I've said before, this one works really well... Maybe even better than a typewriter from the 1940s! The action is extremely smooth. Of course, the ribbon doesn't print very clearly, and it's another upstrike/blindwriter typewriter, so the whole 'You can't see what you type as you type it' makes it extremely ineffective, and extremely obselete. The mechanism became obselete by the end of 1910 due to Olivers and Underwoods. Still, this typewriter is very collectible, and has a serial number in the 10,000s, making it pretty early. (According to my findings in the binder full of typewriter ads. I have, they started making No. 6's in 1894... Perhaps this one may be a little earlier than 1897)?

Wall of Typewriter Inspiration!

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This is my writing desk... Every time I look at all of the different typewriter advertisements which contain all of the wacky designs of typewriters of the 1890s time period, it makes me want to keep on collecting... So many designs, all of which wanted to be the most successful. And in the middle of this; I have two of my favorite and oldest typewriters sitting on the same desk. 

(All advertisements that are hung up on this wall are copies that I made myself of the originals that are in the binder full of typewriter ads that I got for my birthday.

1902 Typewriter Advertisements - Blindwriters vs. Visibles

Here's two typewriter advertisements from 1902 - On the Underwood Advertisement, you can see to the left of the picture of their typewriter, it says "You can see what you are doing!" While the Remington Advertisement is advertising their blindwriter, or upstrike in which you cannot see what you typed as you typed it. This is a classic example of how Remington was behind in technology compared to Underwood at this time. (These advertisements are mine)

Opening of Typewriters 101 Blog

 

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