Spazmelda wrote:

Ah, that makes sense.  It is in good condition except for the feed rollers and platen.  They are toast.  Since it was my grandpa's I feel like it's worth a bit to get it fixed up.  It's stuff I can't really do myself though, so it will have to go out.

My husband just informed me that the thing I was calling beta, is actually double s.

 
It's an ess-set.  I'm not sure how it's spelled in English, but, that's my recollection of the character's name.

Last edited by colrehogan (17-6-2015 20:34:54)

I have seen the swapping of those two slugs and keys done to German machines that were brought to Canada, but I never understood why anyone bothered to do it. I use QWERTZ keyboards often and it only takes a few lines before I consistently remember that the Y is where the Z normally is. If it was the only machine that I owned and used it would be even easier than that. Still, it's an interesting subject and does give collectors something else to look for when examining German-made typewriters.

My latest acquistion arrived on Saturday morning, a brand new typewriter! Well, unused anyway, it was sold as old shop stock and had only been taken out of its carton to be photographed when it was put up for sale. It's an Olivetti Lettra Dora, not everybody's choice for a typewriter perhaps but I couldn't resist being able to type on a new machine. I think it was made in 1975 and I couldn't find the serial no. on the machine but it was on the shipping carton 8403007. Now the question is, will it be worth less if I actually use it? Not that I really care, I don't approve of things 'stuffed and mounted' like in a museum. Oh, and typically Olivetti I guess, there was something wrong with it, the bell had lost it's ding, still after sitting in its' carboard box for forty years perhaps not surprising.
I don't think I have quite got the hang of posting pictures yet as it just seems to appear as a link.

Last edited by Uwe (26-6-2015 22:44:58)

The American Writing Machine Century 10 arrived today from eBay - beautifully packed by the seller - and in dirty but functional condition. It actually types! Very little rust - just a thick layer of greasy dust over everything that has probably protected it well these past several decades.

It is lacking the paper table with the Century 10 decal. Very unfortunate, but it otherwise seems complete. I was drawn to the typewriter as a good project machine. Cleaning the typewriter and getting it get running smoothly will be very satisfying.  Such a nicely-sized compact little typewriter.  It weighs about 17 lbs. I am having some problems finding the serial number.

Will you have to dunk it?