On eBay yesterday, someone (one of you?)* outbid me for a unique item that would have been a real gem for my collection: a prototype Remington Noiseless Portable, which according to the seller had belonged to a Remington executive.
*Right after I posted this, I saw that on Facebook, Brian Hagermann volunteered his identity as its proud new owner. Congratulations, Brian!
The immediately noticeable difference from RNP's as we know them is the two-piece structure of the sheet metal covering the typebar mechanism. Also different: the knobs on the ribbon covers, and typebars that are straight instead of slightly curved.
Today I headed to two local antique malls to see if I could find a compensation prize. One of them had zero typewriters; the other had the following. Would you have been tempted by any of them?
Remington Ten Forty, $97.95. Bits of rust, yellowed plastic.
L.C. Smith, 14-inch carriage, $65, usual wear and tear.
1920s Underwood no. 5, filthy, reduced to $125.
Another no. 5 from the '20s, shinier. Unfortunately, my photo didn't capture the price, but it was also over $100, I think.
Mid-fifties "Royal Quiet Deluxe" (actually Royal HH), reduced to $99.99. Very good typewriter, but ...
OK, this one was a little tempting: a very pretty streamlined Corona from the late thirties. But it had various nicks and scratches, and the space bar wasn't working. Probably an easy fix ... but $220?
Meanwhile, here are a couple more typewriters that I've put up for sale (details here). I didn't acquire any new machines in the last 24 hours, and I'm trying to escort some out the door. That's the right direction ... right?
