Everywhere I Turn

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Here’s the Fair display.

I have no idea what model this is. Anyone got any idea?

Check out the rubber key covers. I’ve only seen those on a Royal Portable Standard “O” model on a YouTube video. I’ve never seen those on a desk machine. I personally don’t like the look of them. I think the glass keys are far more attractive. I suppose some collector may find the rarity of some value, though this machine isn’t in very good shape. I suppose someone who really wants those key covers could remove them and place them on another machine. 

The ceramic typewriter bric-a-brac (anyone got any idea what it’s used for? I personally suspect it’s a desk item for stationary items).

 

 

ROYAL Ramblings

My 1921 Royal 10

Although I used to prefer black keys with white letters, these white keys are clean and even-colored, and I’ve come to prefer the way they contrast with the vast amount of Darth Vader blackness on this machine.

The chrome on this polished up to a mirror finish. It’s really beautiful. I purchased new feet from Bob Aubert. For some reason, I thought the new feet would at least match the diameter of the metal “cap” above them, but these are much narrower. Still, they do the job, and they’re better than the crusty, hardened feet that were on this when I got it (the feet were the only thing not in good shape on this machine). 
Now, if I could only find space for an Underwood 5…

Antique Shops

For being a filthy mess, this machines had remarkably good key action on it.

What a hunk of junk. If you looked inside, through the back, the dust-bunnies were (like real bunnies are wont to doing) reproducing beyond control. The carriage return string was broken as well. However, this was the first time I’ve ever seen an Underwood 5 in person, and it seemed smaller than I’d imagined. It also made me interested in acquiring one (in far better condition than this), though I absolutely have no room for another standard machine.

Another rusty-keyed beast. I really like the Royal 10, but this example wasn’t cared for by anyone.

This Olympia De Luxe was the only machine that appeared to be in great condition. I’m not familiar with Olympia models (beyond the SM3 & 4), so I’m not sure what this is. Anyone care to chime in?

Guns Don’t Kill. Typewriters Kill.

James Caan, about to sap his captor.

I’d make some type of joke about a splitting headache, but it wouldn’t be very funny, so I’ll refrain.

The damsel in distress finds a case in a dump and opens it to reveal a typewriter.

The grateful damsel presents Law with the typewriter as a gift.

Typing the story of his experience as a repo man.

The film begins with Jude Law at the typewriter, so we can assume the narration throughout the film corresponds to what he’s typing.

When Law and his new girlfriend see another repo man coming to get them, they run. What’s interesting is that the first thing the girl grabs before they leave is not a purse, or a weapon, or her favorite Duran Duran album; instead, she saves the typewriter, taking it with her. This proves to be a prescient decision, because it’s the only item within reach for Law to drop on the repo man’s head as he is about to shoot her with a taser.

Because I can… Since I began this post with a picture of James Caan about to clobber Cathy Bates with a Royal 10, I figure I should include some film-stills from the film, “Misery”,  featuring the typewriter.

My first encounter with a Royal 10. Now I own one, though I have no plans to drop it on anyone’s head.

Ouch! You never want to get sapped with a typewriter.

Remember that scene in the film where Bates calls the Hollywood cliffhanger a ‘cheater’, because there’s no way the hero could have escaped his predicament? Well, this film does some cheating as well, because there’s no way Bates could have gotten up after the clobberin’ she received from that typewriter. No way. CHEATERS!

This post was typed on my Corona Four.

“JUST TURN THE KNOB”

Typed on a 1921 Royal 10