Olivetti Lettera 31

My bare-bones work space. I enjoy drinking tea and often listen to oldies on the iPod while
fiddling with the typewriters. Life is good!

Since the shell was already detached from the inner workings, that was one less step in
today's preparation for a quick cleaning.

A beautiful & idyllic spot in which to work, but heaven help me if I drop a spring or a screw!
(I did dislodge one of the springs on the key levers -- and dropped it twice! -- but found it each time.
Finally got the darn thing back on.)

Nice clean, low and utilitarian lines in profile.

Close up of the keyboard.

Barcelona: The scene of many a typewriter emerging from the factory.

Perhaps this blank slot could have accommodated a ribbon reverse lever?

...and what feature was missing here on the right side?

Underwood Universal portable typewriter

Day #1: Removing all the panels in preparation for cleaning the inner workings.

We bought this wash-tub especially for the purpose of giving typewriters a bath;
almost every model fits inside it.

The lines on this typewriter are interesting. It looks like this model was produced in the
early- to mid-1950s -- what do YOU think?

This business equipment company also had a location in Marysville, another town in
California's upper Central Valley. It's about 50 miles west of us.

His name appeared in a couple other spots on the platen. Unfortunately, the letters washed
off when I cleaned it with brake fluid, which helped soften the surface a bit.

And let's not forget the case! What remains of the marbled-snakeskin type pattern is very
COOL. James & I discussed stripping it down to the wood, but decided to leave it alone.
"That's patina -- people pay extra for that!" James says.

I love the extra little touches, such as the "Underwood" name stenciled into the case
handle. And the one-sided latch works very well.

Corona 3 Folding & our 2nd Type-In

A very early "laptop", at my favorite writing space in the house, the little platform
James built for me on top of the low bookshelves in the Music Room.

The Corona 3 fits neatly into its tiny case. I was pleased to find the manual included!

All the decals on this machine are still in excellent condition.

I think the Corona dove is saying to me: "I bring you New Life, in the form of a Typewriter."
(This logo is on the left-hand side of the paper guide.)

Somehow, seeing these years printed on the back of the machine makes its age more tangible.
(Note the top of my head & camera in the reflection, finger on the shutter. Ah, art!)

Close up of the 3-bank keyboard. The FIG keys can be a challenge!

Mike Clemens from http://clickthing.blogspot.com/

Our 2nd "Type-In-of-Two" is about to begin! Here are the Corona 3 folding & Royal "O" cases.
I'm amazed how much smaller the Corona case is.

I'm having too much fun with Mike's Royal "O" portable, 1932.

Remington "All New Personal" portable typewriter