Monday, November 2, 2009

Just my type

If I had $300 (or $600) to spend frivolously, I know just what I would buy: a beautiful, vintage typewriter. At least, that's what I would tell you I would buy at. this. very. moment. My wants are ever changing so who knows what I would purchase with that chunk of money tomorrow-- maybe I'd have a moment of depressing clarity and put it toward rent?-- but tonight I have been drooling over the dozens of vintage writing machines that can be found by simply searching "typewriter" on Etsy.

Here's a few that I would happily display on my shiny white Parsons desk from West Elm. Oh, wait. I don't have one of those. Looks like I'll be needing a more substantial amount of superfluous cash to make this fantasy become a reality. No matter. Let's just pretend for now.

Say hello to these gorgeous desktop-- or laptop-- companions.


















The Olivetti Valentine, the "Ferrari" of typewriters, seen at Poetic Home 








I know there is an old, dusty typewriter sitting somewhere in my parents' house, but it is nowhere near as pretty to look at as these. Right now its a toss up between the two Royals-- turquoise and seafoam-- for my No. 1 spot.

So, anyone else out there obsessed with typewriters like me? My boyfriend doesn't get it, but what kind of writer would I be if I didn't feel strangely drawn to the familiar clickity-clack and ceremonial ding that reminds of days gone by?

10 comments:

bianca said...

My dad has one just like the bottom pic - I used to love typing on it.

Andhari said...

Ohhh my parents have one in deep red, so cute. But I like that turquoise one in your picture :)

Amber said...

I used to LOVE typing on a typewriter when I was a kid!! I used to have a typewriter but I'm not sure where it's gotten to..

trishie said...

I love the look of a vintage typewriter!

Shoshanah said...

I'm not sure what I'd do with an actual typewriter, but I do love the pictures of the blue typewriters you posted.

rachel said...

I completely get it. Old typewriters are so romantic! My boyfriend got me one a year or two ago. It has a permanent home on one of our tables... I hardly ever use it, and the keys are really loud, but I love it.

Dionne said...

I love typewriters, too. The pretty vintage ones though, not the streamlined electric ones. I think it's because it makes me think of people typing letters to their long lost loves, and I love how the metal slaps against the paper with each letter typed.

At the W Hotel in Los Angeles, their Guest Book is actually an old typewriter where you type your name and comments, and then they also have extra paper where you can type letters to your friends. When I was there, i played with that thing for ages!

Chelsea Talks Smack said...

I seriously LOVE THESE

bethany said...

You are very much not alone! I carry on a romantic love affair with typewriters in my mind at all times...and I, too, am partial to the blues/greens of typewriters. I'm sure that after a few minutes of jamming and correcting I would be frustrated, but I can't help but feel as though for those few minutes, I'd be so inspired. :)

If you ever have that $300...please buy one! :)

Anonymous said...

There is definitely something cool about old, vintage typewriters. I'm sure that writers like Fitzgerald and Hemingway had to self-edit so much more before they started typing. I mean they really had to think about what they wanted to say before they started writing. With computers there is no need for that and authors can write freely, but I'm not really sure which creative process is better.