Recently Paulo philosophically asked me, a typewriter collector, “Why another typewriter? I haven’t been able to find an answer yet.” (My attempt at a translation/synopsis from his Portuguese.)
In addition to answers from the collector’s perspective, bonus points for answers that are also directed to answering this question which comes from your significant other who doesn’t understand your obsession. (I’m also posing this on the day that I’ve sadly chosen for family sanity to move 20 machines from the house out of immediate sight into the garage. 😔)
@chrisaldrich are you creating a typewriter museum to compete with the late lamented Bunny Museum?
My primary reason for having multiple typewriters also applies to my cameras, the purpose is to offload the work to multiple typewriters so that each one may last longer…as opposed to relying on one unit that may or may not malfunction in the future. Then what? When you need to use one, you must wait until the repairs are completed before you are able to use it again. In addition, think of it as investing in a diverse array of tools that will provide you with unique attributes that is not fully present in one or two typewriters.
Secondly, as an antique collector…I also rummage for historical value— not monetary value necessarily, for example: I have two Underwood Model S that belonged to the California Shipbuilding Corporation and another from Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica. If I didn’t care about historical value, I would certainly own less of these machines.
We all need just one more.
I love collecting them partially because I feel like I’m saving them. Sort of like people who can’t visit animal shelters because they feel bad for the animals and want to adopt all of them to protect them from uncertain futures. I feel like I can preserve just a bit more of an ‘endangered species’ with each one I take home.
It’s a blessing and a curse (but mostly a blessing) that my husband joined me with the typewriter collecting after we watched California typewriter together back in 2021. I believe my collection would be half as large if he wasn’t in this with me since the typewriters he prefers are older (and more expensive!).
As for why another one when the collection is already so large, collecting is collecting and if it was a stamp collection, or vintage match books, no one would blink. If you’re not over spending, and if you’re using them the way you want to (display, pen pals, repairing, sharing with the community), then theoretically it should be fine. Storage can be an issue, and that’s where it really comes in handy to have a spouse that’s also collecting.
We just moved from a house that was smaller than most people’s garages. We had them on racks in our dining room and they actually pushed out kitchen/dining accessories. For the first time in our lives we have a guest room and a workbench room AND a few other rooms for display and use, so the storage problem is solved.
We do give typewriters away at type-in events and to friends and family. We even lent two to a local guy referred to us from a librarian who used them to type up notes attached to ornaments in a creative surprise engagement last year. She said YES!
I don’t really search out machines anymore but if we see one while thrifting or on FBM and it’s something we don’t have and it’s unique or such a good deal we could use it as a giveaway, that’s why I’ll add another one.
Darling, just imagine I would be collecting sports cars! Wouldn’t that be costly? Wouldn’t that take up much space? Wouldn’t that be dangerous? I’m so glad I don’t like cars that much. It’s only typewriters. And look, this one writes in this beautiful font [typeset]! Oh, and this one, isn’t it surprisingly small? Oh, and look, this one has all the comfort of a Lincoln Land yacht. Oh, baby, can I have this one? I’ve been looking for this rare colour so long…
This is very interesting, but I’d like to see some discussion of just what a collection is and what makes someone a collector.
Suppose I logged into that Amazing Prime online retail store and bought a Ferrari Testarrosa, $345,678 including tax, tag, and title. Free 2-day delivery. Would that make me a car collector? I mean, I now own one of the most amazing vehicles on the planet.
I would think not. You have only one, and one does not constitute a collection. Or you could go hog-wild and slap down the Amex Black and buy dozens of sports cars and still not really be a collector; just someone with a bunch of expensive junk cluttering up the place. Collections need themes, motifs, purposes, and some organized mechanism for display and presentation. A little exploration of what the word ‘curated’ means might be appropriate.
They’re all slightly different!
I’m not sure my answer will be interesting, as I actually own only one typewriter. I’m actively looking for a second because my machine is a big standard (Halda Star) and I can’t type outside my office. I need a portable one. Moreover, mine is actually broken, the repairer has it; so I need two for security. In fact, I probably should have three, because if my portable is broken, I’m again stuck in my office, so I’ll need two portables. But the third one will be kind of alone not being used, we should probably add a fourth one, for decoration purposes. Things have to be in uneven numbers to be beautiful, you taught me that Darling. What’s five typewriters? Most are portable, so not that big!
I try to make sure each of mine is different in some meaningful way. I don’t always succeed at that though. Some I buy because they were cheap and I know I could restore them. Some I buy just because I think they look good. But yes I too am reaching a point where I have to ask this of myself.
In my mind I’m creating a museum. I have them categorized into displays or exhibits that I could demonstrate some set of differences or similarities or progressions. But I don’t have a museum. I’m trying to work with my local library to do displays (as well as a type in) and that’s why I have the YouTube channel, to be the eyes into my collection even if people can’t walk into my house. I do have some plans for some more exhibition style videos, so far most of mine are repair, but I do want to make these comparisons too.
Or maybe I just have too many, who can say
At this point I’m not looking to own any more typewriters, and am in fact looking to downsize.
The most I ever owned at a time (right now) is 5. In practice, I use my Olympia SG3 more than the rest of them combined. Given this, I feel like the SG3 and my Skyriter are probably more than enough; one sturdy desktop model that feels great to use, and one tiny portable that can follow me around.
Resons I’ve had a stable of typewriters include liking the typefaces, curiosity about how they felt to use, and sometimes just because they were the right price and I had a moment of weakness. I’ve turned away more thrift store deals than I’ve gotten recently, though.
I write with mine. Different machines inspire me on different days. Sometimes I want old school iron, other days I’m lazy and go electronic. It all depends.
@writingslowly My wife is worried that is exactly is what is happening. I am starting to clean up some of my machines and put them into working condition. I’ll slim things down from 50 into the neighborhood of 35 shortly. Most of the solid machines see regular use.
@chrisaldrich I’m very impressed – and amazed by some of your finds.