Typewriter: Olympia SM3

An elderly woman sold this Olympia SM3 to my mom for 5 bucks. She kept it in top notch, dust free, working condition. I typed a letter, and so far, the only problems I have encountered are with that of the user. I am having some typo, spacing, and margin issues. Sooo basically, I am completely typewriter deficient. I still haven't used my red Royal, but for some reason, I was immediately drawn to this one for actual use. On a side note, other than the fact that all of my typewriters were gifted to me, it still never ceases to be exciting to have another added to my collection of paper weights. When I open a case, it truly feels as if I am lifting the cover to a little treasure chest filled with um, very inexpensive metal. Each time, I have no idea what to expect, whether it will be a rusty wreck of a device or mostly, pristine and lovely and functional. When I see the keys and design details (or lack of, sometimes, depending on the time period it was made), it's as though I have a a bit of history in my smallish hands. What more could I ask for?

Related Post:
Royal Quiet Deluxe

Type: Royal!

A lovely, lovely letter from my hubby:

Happy Birthday! When I bought this typewriter, I was thinking that we would just be finishing up your new desk and that this would be a perfect complement. I think it still could be. I know you've been holding back on your creative endeavors because you feel you have no place in the house and the kids will destroy your supplies, that may be true, but I feel that we should still try to establish a space for you. I'm hoping that just knowing it is there may actually inspire you to use it. This is meant to be the first step towards that.

This is a fully restored Royal Quiet Deluxe in a pretty snazzy red. This is supposed to be the pinnacle of vintage typewriters and was the preferred machine of many famous writers like Ernest Hemingway. It's even the typewriter used in the movie Misery! I hope you don't take inspiration from Kathy Bates, but I hope you are compelled to use it to write stories or poetry or letters to friends near and far. When you get a little older, you can use it to write cranky letters to the editors about all the smut and filth in their publications. Even if the people at ZooNooz are confused, they will appreciate the carefully-crafted appearance of your letters.

All kidding aside, I hope this will be useful to you somehow and that you'll let us build a decent space for you to be creative. I love you so much. If this makes you smile a little bit, I'll be happy. If it's a lot, I'll be ecstatic!

Love,
Stephen

Related Post:
Olympia SM-3

Soviet Era: Vinni Puh

I like this more than Winnie the Pooh!

Wood Brooches

Miss Fox wood brooch 15
Source + shop: craftyfolk

Hand painted bunny 19
Source + shop: Each to Own

Laser cut caravan 21
Source + shop: Sconnie and Jam

Set of three laser cut 11
Source + shop: TheTwentyFingers

Indeed: The Studley Tool Chest

19th century H.O. Studley tool chest
Source: Fine Woodworking

Grand Central Terminal: 100 Years

Source: The Atlantic

1930s

1939 Cracker Barrel. Corner store on a Sunday Afternoon in N.C.
Image source: Shorpy Archives

1935 Frosted foods. Washington, D.C.
Image source: Shorpy Archives

1935 Carbon copies. Bethesda, Maryland
Image source: Shorpy Archives

1936 Study hall. Washington, D.C.
Image source: Shorpy Archives

1935 Betty Crockers. Bethesda, Maryland
Image source: Shorpy Archives

Let's Visit: NY Circa 1910s

Piers 16 and 17, North River, Barclay Street Station. 1916
Image source: NYC Municipal Archives

Congestion on Marginal Way. Pier 20 North River, Erie Railroad 1910
Image source: NYC Municipal Archives

Ferryboat "Bronx" jammed with Sunday crowds 1911
Image source: NYC Municipal Archives

Diver about to descend 1910s
Image source: NYC Municipal Archives

All the Bells and Whistles

Cocoa

Image source: Trek

Vanhulsteijn

Image source: Vanhulsteijn

Blog source: Alyssa Anda

Velorbis Studine

Image source: Velorbis

Blog source: Slorasauna

Little Paper Sculptures

        Images source & Etsy shop: London handmade by JW

Jane's Addiction

Image source: Novel Creations. $45

Image source: Rebound Designs. $170

Image source: Chick-Lit Designs. $165

       A little pricey but cute idea. The clutch Michelle Williams was sporting

       at the British Academy Film Awards is a tad more expensive at $1041.

In the Home

Functional bathtub made of books. Image source: Who Cares About That.

1960s Danish teak. Image source: Hopper and Space.

Soviet Union era Jantar alarm clock. Image source: Clockwork Universe.

Zigzag bookcase. Image source: Reinier de Jong.