What’s Your Type?

/ Tracey

Old typewriters have been slipping into my photo essays for years. They never had anything to do with what I was writing about, yet there they were…..like random dreams of old boyfriends my father didn’t like; too old for me or that wouldn’t fit well with my long term plans. Both getting my attention at the time, for whatever reason, whether they were my “type” or not. Here are a few oldies from The Print Museum in Houston, Texas, the New Dungeness Lighthouse in Sequim, Washington, and an old hotel in Birmingham, Alabama. Something about their old, steampunk style was “striking.”

What other typewriters took such beatings yet remained iconic symbols of the written word? Not their “modern” versions, that’s for sure. When technology took over, they became a lot less remarkable looking. Below left, is similar to one stolen out of my old blue oxidized Honda Civic at U.C. Berkeley. It had no AC and I must have left one of the windows rolled down. Below right is similar to what I used in the university library senior year because I couldn’t afford another IBM, let alone a better car (photos from The Print Museum.) Awkward looking, they were a productivity boost in completing my undergraduate degree. Still, my fascination for the oldies remains (typewriters, not boyfriends!)

My husband (who’s definitely my type) drove me to Port Townsend, Washington for lunch earlier this week. Imagine my excitement when we came across this…….typewriter museum? repair shop? antique store? writer’s work space? The owner saw us peak through the window and invited us in. We joked about taking typing class in high school and how hard it was to get an “A.” It didn’t matter how good a writer you were, as long as you were fast and free of typos. She explained that the store, a new business, is actually all of these things.

From the time I started “Artistic Pension,” I’ve tried to seek out and document the discoveries of my tagline; “Creative, non-monetary forms of payment.” This is one of those discoveries that immediately inspired me. Had we not had a lunch reservation, I would have lingered and asked the owner for an interview. Instead, I’m providing a link to her business website (which I explored later.) Not only does Type Townsend collect, repair, and resell typewriters; they provide a space for people to try them out, while enjoying a coffee. If I had a prize for best Artistic Pension, this would be it. They have a great story about finding a passion after retirement, which you can read here. As we parted, we could hear the clacking of students on summer break in the upstairs typing loft. It’s clear that a fondness for the old types doesn’t just apply to retirees.

Did you ever have an old typewriter you were fond of? Do you still have it and use it? Post a picture in the comments.

16 thoughts on “What’s Your Type?”

  1. I remember crying at the home typewriter as a high schooler with my parents looking on and encouraging me. I was crying because my grade in typing was not good and I didn’t think I would ever get the hang of it. Of course, my parents were right and that had just been a bump in the road.  I’m sharing a pic of my parents’ Underwood typewriter that I keep in my office. 

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      • I saw your post on your Grandmother. Maybe I forgot this story? Powerful short writing, wonderful, would like to see ALL you write, you are very talented. Can’t find the post now and adjective to sign in then can’t find anything on you except this last correspondence, so will add here!
        I have grandparents both on my moms side, one with manic brother that was institutionalized, of her mother and a sister of her Dads that was schizophrenic that was on medication her whole life struggled.

        Like

        Reply

  3. I had an A+ in high school. It was, for me, the easiest subject. I then typed essays out for fellow university students, and that’s how my husband and I ended up dating. After he paid for the essay, he asked to take me for supper. Guess you could say he is my “type” 42 years later! Lovely post and great photos. Bernie

    Like

    Reply

  5. Ha ha, love your boyfriend and dad cracks! I love this post, Tracey. I can only imagine the anguish you went through when your beautiful IBM was stolen. I do remember that model fondly because my oldest sister splurged on the same one. She allowed me to use it at selective moments. I got hand-me-downs for both high school and college, and they were sadly all basic Sears models. I was told they were actually made by Royal, though that could have been something my dad made up at the time. 😆 That’s definitely a cool store! – Marty

    Like

    Reply

  7. I adore old typewriters! I took a photo of the one in Hemingway’s home in Cuba and I could just picture him sitting at his desk writing… sorry, typing… his articles and novels. I see that someone else suggested Tom Hanks. He is a big fan of vintage typewriters too. In fact, there is an app that you can download (Hanx Writer) that sort of, kind of, turns your phone or tablet into a typewriter. Silly, but fun.

    I love Port Townsend, and now I have another reason to visit again.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment