1 of 1- Uwe
- Moderator
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Missing Covers
I just came across an ad for a typewriter that I've always wanted. But there was a problem: It was missing its ribbon cover. Some older typers have a design that is more forgiving of missing covers, typically because they used two small metal cups instead of a large single piece of metal to cover its ribbon's spools.
However, on this particular machine, like most from the '50s to '80s, the cover is integral to the shape and look of the typewriter. I tried justifying buying this typer without a cover, but just couldn't get over how ugly the machine looked without it.
Am I crazy? Would you buy a typer that was missing a purely aesthetic part?
In the end I sent the seller an offer for half the asking price. Undoubtedly they will find this insulting and ignore my bid, but I couldn't stomach the thought of paying a penny more for such an incomplete machine regardless of how much I like that particular model.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
- Amelia
- Platen Punisher
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- From: Southern California, USA
- Registered: 28-3-2013
- Posts: 94
Re: Missing Covers
Part of the beauty of the typewriter lies in the aesthetics (at least to me).
So no, I probably wouldn't buy it (unless of course, I knew I could easily find the missing part).
- Shangas
- Speed Champion
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- From: Melbourne, Australia
- Registered: 17-3-2013
- Posts: 298
Re: Missing Covers
Some typewriters are designed NOT to have covers. I'm thinking of stuff like the Underwood Portable, Royal portable, Underwood & Royal standards, etc etc etc. But a typewriter which is designed to have a spool-cover/s, should be sold WITH the covers. Otherwise I wouldn't buy it. It's like buying a car without a hood.
"Not Yet Published" - My History Blog
"I just sit at a typewriter and curse a bit" - Sir Pelham Grenville "P.G." Wodehouse
"The biggest obstacle to professional writing is the necessity for changing a typewriter ribbon" - Robert Benchley
- Stevetype33
- Touch Typist
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- From: UK
- Registered: 16-3-2013
- Posts: 172
Re: Missing Covers
It's a no, no for me.
What I find interesting is that sellers often don't realise that anything is missing. I once saw a green Smith Corona flat-top for sale that was lovely apart from the fact that it had no flat-top. I contacted the seller to ask if it might be lying around someplace, and they were quite embarassed that they'd not noticed. Recently I saw the same with two Bar-Let Model 2s. In each case the cover was missing.
Despite this, all three of them sold, though for low amounts. I wonder if the buyers knew?
- Amelia
- Platen Punisher
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- From: Southern California, USA
- Registered: 28-3-2013
- Posts: 94
Re: Missing Covers
Stevetype33 wrote:
It's a no, no for me.
What I find interesting is that sellers often don't realise that anything is missing. I once saw a green Smith Corona flat-top for sale that was lovely apart from the fact that it had no flat-top. I contacted the seller to ask if it might be lying around someplace, and they were quite embarassed that they'd not noticed. Recently I saw the same with two Bar-Let Model 2s. In each case the cover was missing.
Despite this, all three of them sold, though for low amounts. I wonder if the buyers knew?
Funny you should mention that!
A couple of days ago, I e-mailed an Etsy seller about a script Princess machine they were selling (for $575USD!). It was a Princess 300 with a Princess 100 lid. They informed me that they had both machines, but had somehow switched the lids.
- beak
- Key Master
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- From: Qld Australia
- Registered: 24-3-2013
- Posts: 912
Re: Missing Covers
Well, I guess the cover just keeps the dust out. If the machine is intended primarily for use, rather than as a 'collectable', and you put a dust cover over it when not in use, then why not.
However, I'm unlikely to buy such a machine since I have many good typers already.
Sincerely,
beak.
- Ektagraphic
- Touch Typist
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- From: Mass.
- Registered: 05-10-2014
- Posts: 146
Re: Missing Covers
I probably wouldn't buy a machine without a cover...unless it was worth it for some strange reason, like being rare (or an SG1...I probably wouldn't mind one for parts ;) ) My first manual was a Royal Safari that is missing it's cover, and I must say that I do love staring at its inner workings as I type, but I don't think I would deliberatly buy another machine like the Safari that is incomplete.
