Sunday, October 24, 2010

Ready For Work

This may look like a briefcase...
But it isn't.
It's the typewriter and carrying case I found yesterday at an estate sale for $20!
It's so cute and little, it's actually quite portable and doesn't even need to be plugged in.

What would the patrons of Starbucks think if I walked in one day to work on my novel with this thing? Would they be react like Scout did when she saw it?
I'm not really planning to use this for serious novel writing, but I do think it's a funny thought.  I would love to one day walk into Starbucks with this typewriter and a big stack of blank white paper and put it out on a table next to everyone with their quiet laptops and start pecking away just to see how people would react.

I've been wanting an older typewriter just to look cute in my office/studio space.  This one pretty much works, except the letter R gets stuck.  But maybe once I clean it up, it will be fully functioning.  Either way, I love it.

I did a little internet research on my Smith-Corona Skywriter, and I found it on a site called myTypewriter.com that sells vintage typewriters.  I found mine, and it says it's from the 1950s and they sell it for $395.  Even if I can't get that R to work, I still think $20 is a fabulous deal for my cute little Skywriter!

I bet when it came out in the 50s, it was considered an uber compact and sleek new gadget.   Actually, it's still pretty sleek, don't you think?


20 comments:

Laurie said...

I'd love to see the looks on their faces!!! And now I'm having Royal flashbacks - the ringing bell, the zzzzziiiippppppp when you return the carriage...yes, those were the days. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Do it!!! And video everyones reaction all at the same time!

Elizabeth Halt said...

If you do, you should definitely capture video.

Scout looks very puzzled.

Jo Wholohan said...

love the typewriter, love to see that video :))

patty said...

Love it! If it were me, I would have a horrible time dealing with all of the mistakes I make and immedietely correct.... but if you're an accurate typist, it would be so cool! A novel, huh? Pretty ambitious!!

jacqueline said...

Dearest sweet Kerri, oh my that is a gorgeous typewriter!! I've been searching for one too but have yet any luck!! This typewriter is just soo cool. I would LOVE to see the faces of those peepz with thier laptops while you walk into startbucks with your typewriter and a stack of papers. That is just too funny!! lool I hope you weekend was lovely and special. Have a lovely merry happy week and love to yoU!

soraya nulliah said...

Dear Kerrie-what a find!! I absolutely love it...I would love to have a vintage typewriter myself.xxx

Tapestry Tree said...

Too cool! Abby has one and she adores typing letters on it!

darren said...

That's cool.

Jen @ By Jen ❤️ said...

What a cool typewriter and such a great find! I do love the image you paint walking into Starbucks with it =)

Willie Baronet said...

What I love most is imagining the sound of it in a starbucks... ;-)

carol gourley said...

Yes, if you saunter into Starbucks, make sure you get someone to do some video taping, cause we would love to see that on You tube..hehe.
Actually, it's a great idea to have one of those kicking around just for backup.

Barbara German said...

Kerri.....I blogged about you today....check it out! Thanks for the inspiration.
B

malia said...

what a wonderful find! can't wait to see what you type

Lis said...

how fun! we have my mom's typewriter and I was just thinking I needed to type some tags or text for journal pages. So much easier than powering up the computer and the printer!

i would love to see a video of your in a cafe clack clack clacking away!

Roberta said...

I love old manual typewriters...I want one in turquoise ;)

Unknown said...

That's so fun! I loved that feeling of the keys under my fingers in typing class...remember that? And the middle row had raised dots so you could get back to the same spot by feel. Click click click, slide the return back...and Ding! WHat about using carbon paper for copies ;D

soleil said...

I had an old typewriter when I was a kid. I would stay up late and painstakingly type up little stories. I loved that typewriter.

When I worked for a title company we had to type up the customer's info on the docs that were pre-printed, usually just the Note and Deed of Trust. That was my favorite part of the job.

I'm getting all nostalgic now.

judge david said...

Scout wants to help! She has some ideas!

Anonymous said...

"Contact Cleaner" from Radio Shack.

Squirt a little around the hinges.

Unless they're actually bent, any sticky keys will loosen right up.

:)