Stan the Typewriter Man

Last night I went to pick up my typewriter from the repair guy I found last week (She needed her P’s and Q’s fixed).  Stan is a wonderful grandpa to some very lucky kids.  He’s got a full head of white hair and he has been repairing typewriters for over 50 years.  His garage and shed are a treasure trove of awesome cool stuff.  I didn’t get as many pictures as I wanted because it was all cloudy and dark.  But he was so fun to talk to, and he had so many beautiful old things besides his typewriters.

I think he didn’t think a young blonde girl would be so interested in his old stuff.  But it was awesome! Old industrial fans, and a beautiful flexible flyer sled. He had a few bicycles from the 50’s and the hubcaps from his very first car, purchased in 1953, a GMC truck.  An awesome oil can that was probably 3 feet high and at least 24 inches across.  It was bright blue and orange and so auto-cool.  I told him he should wire it for a lamp and hang the hubcaps on the wall behind it.  He looked at me like I’d just landed from Mars.  But he told me later (after that had time to settle I guess) that he liked the way my mind worked, and he had never met anyone like me.    Stan could very well be my new best friend.  But what I really went to see was his typewriter collection.  He has dozens from all ages and manufacturers.  Here’s just a few of the beautiful things in his garage.

[ This huge Remington typewriter.  HUGE! And totally awesome.]

[ That worn spot on the space bar is from a right handed spacer.  I’m a lefty spacer.  ]

[ Glass keys with chrome surround.  Classic American beauties. ]

[ These are gears from a guy named Oliver No. 9, produced sometime between 1894 & 1926 ]

No. 9 was pretty incredible.  Instead of his key arms coming up from the bottom to hit the paper (like pretty much all typewriters) his arms swung in from the sides.  When I typed on it it looked like the two sides were getting into a really good fist fight the way the arms were swinging right and left.  So so cool.

As I was talking to Stan about these awesome machines I re-realized I kind of have a crush on old technology.  Old sewing machines, typewriters, and camera’s all dance around in my mind with beautiful old bikes, and sled’s and oil cans, and luggage. (Luggage isn’t really a technological marvel, but it’s pretty none the less).  And after I looked over all of his wonderful old things I made a decision.

[ Early 1920’s Corona with case. I named him Stan after my new friend. ]

This little beauty is now hanging out in my kitchen until I figure out where to keep him.  He is the great great grandpa of LOVE, and I just had to bring him home.  Stan the Typewriter Man has had him for years, just chilling out in the garage.  We were both happy that he is going to a new home.  Little Stan (the typewriter) is in excellent working order, I mean, what do you expect when you’ve been hanging out with a typewriter repairman for the last few decades.  Sort of a quick decision to buy him, but there is absolutely no buyers remorse.  And I’m still thinking about that beautiful big Remington.  Yesterday was a good day, a really good day.