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Decorative cover art
Decorative - perhaps not quite classic art-deco, yet definitely decorative art.This is the cover of a small booklet about succulants. I.e. a practical guide to keeping these plants. Part of a larger...
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Entering the plastic period
Several typewriters were spotted in a quick scout of a local thrift store. The first machine was this little Olivetti Lettera 12.Even with an asking price of 5 Euro, this did not appeal. The machine...
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Typewriter spotting, typeface spotting too
Last week watched a simple film, an unremarkable and somewhat dated "Seven Keys To Baldpate". The version watched was released in 1947 and produced on a limited budget with unremarkable acting. The...
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Yet more plastic...
Took time for a quick de-tour on the commute to browse a large thrift store. On one shelf, spotted a black case that looked like it could contain a typewriter.The case is made of hard plastic. Looking...
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Trioh
Continuing to accessorise the pre-war typewriter - a stapler. Just purchased a booklet-stapler.This Trioh branded stapler is almost like-new. Very rigid design, all metal (save the cork base under the...
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Toy-store with 97 year old new item on the shelf
Unlikely the store know, nor that the brand-owners would like to know it, but it just struck me that the shop had a near-century old new item on the shelf.The gifting season is nearly upon us with...
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Should've spotted - label scratcher by design
Should've spotted this really and been ready to stop it before it did another round scratching the label. Especially on a gramophone that doesn't have an automatic brake, it then just keeps scratching...
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Torn pages in the instruction manual (fixating)
Old manuals can have torn pages. All older paperwork of course can be damaged, but especially instruction manuals will be prone to tears in the pages. Also (folded) leaflets that come with machines...
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Fewer damaged cases through more manuals
The increasing availability of typewriter user manuals must surely help with the preservation and use of the machines. Over the past year or so, there were a few online listings that illustrated I...
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High impedance vintage headphones
Venturing into a new domain with 2000 Ohm resistance per phone.Something new to discover in the area of vintage 20th century technology. These headphones date from the 1920s - with their very high...
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The 1920s Electrical Outfit (reproduced)
An electric accessory outfit for use with a Meccano set was introduced in 1920 by Meccano - to introduce to boys the miracle of electricity.The included manual explains that electricity plays a...
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Was that an American Caligraph 2 typewriter?
In a light and (then) slightly risqué comedy film, released in 1933, one of the main characters is a playwright who uses a typewriter. Perhaps to illustrate the unconventional, bohemian atmosphere he's...
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Ultimately reviving the wrecked Portable, perhaps
It was always going to be a slow project, but with a nearly two-year hiatus it's a very slow project indeed.Finally got around to re-assembling the Remington Portable 2 typewriter that was originally...
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Continuing Remington Portable refurbishment
Now that it's 'underhand' again, keep going with some next steps in the refurbishment.A jarring defect of the machine were the replacement keys for the shift and the 'z'. Purely cosmetic of course, but...
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Stripping the panels
Now that the 'wreck' Remington Portable typewriter has come this far, the next step was to take it apart again. Or rather, to take off all the bodywork.And all the various mounting screws, rods and...
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Remington decal applied
The most satisfying part of repainting; applying the decal on the paper table!With another few applications of Micro-Sol, the boundary of the decal sheet should become less obvious. The 'Remington'...
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With case, ready to go
With the old case polished up nicely, this Remington Portable typewriter is ready to go.The case is still sturdy and protects the machine well, but has had a replacement handle fitted some time during...
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From looking again at an old record sleeve
Just noticed that the stylised tuning fork on a record sleeve is actually a very exact picture of the genuine article. Even the tapered handle is correctly drawn.This made me have another, closer look...
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An extra part it does not absolutely need
From having bought the parts of a 'boat-anchor' Remington Portable typewriter, there's a good supply of screws and sundry bits 'n bobs in the spares box. With the benefit of reference machines, two of...
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AvoMinor 67004-442
From the company that invented the multi-meter, a small and simpler instrument. The 'AvoMinor' was introduced in 1933, upgraded in '35 with a socket inside the Ohms adjuster knob. (As with every little...
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