Let's Talk About It (video post!)

Keys to Wear

Say you've got an antique typewriter. It's not worth much, despite its age. But the keys, they're something else. They show wear from years of use. You imagine the papers, documents, stories written for decades. It's inspirational. And you can think of nothing cooler than to... wear them on your wrist?

I would. I keep my eyes open not only for typewriters to fill my collection, but for one from which the buttons could be used to make a bracelet. I might have mine say believe or write often, something visual that would encourage me to press on.

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What would you have yours say?

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Photo from Google images.

It's Official: I'm a Collector

I bought my first old typewriter, a Smith and Corona, soon after I said to myself, I'd really like to have an old typewriter. It'd just be neat. And what should happen, but that one nearly jumped out and bit me whilst perusing a local antique store. I fell over myself getting to it (not really, but can't you just see it?), and knew within seconds that baby was mine.

The shop owner said, upon my approach to the checkout, "I know what you're going to do with this. You want the keys for making jewelry." While I actually quite love the idea of such jewelry, I knew I wanted this machine as is. "Nope. I want it just like this." I think it adds some authenticity to my writing nook.

Old typewriter numero dos came to live with me a month or so ago. Some girlfriends and I had gone to a few of our favorite haunts, and this one's silver case winked at me from a corner. It's much less exciting than the S&C, but it's also much smaller and lighter. It's a portable HermesBaby Featherweight, from the '60s. It's neat because it disappears into its prim little box. I imagine a war correspondent or some such toting it around.

After the addition of Hermes to the family, misterwrites and I had a conversation about how typewriters would be a sticky item to collect. Typically they're big, clunky. And they just sit, doing nothing. I knew I'd not seek out any other machines.

But then...

Last Friday, when I had the day to myself, I went antiquing. I was taking my time, browsing and enjoying the calm process. And then - what is it with catching my eye? - there is was, my new piece de resistance... a dial typewriter from the 1930s. I had no clue such a thing existed! Turns out, it was created as a toy - but a working one, at that. How could I not get it? Tell me it's not cool.

So, I think it's official. I'm a collector.