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The type-in brought out a suitably eccentric and motley cast of insurgents for a friendly and free-spirited afternoon.
Here's Nick Fisher at his Rheinmetall. Nick lives in Swindon and is one of England's preeminent, longtime typewriter collectors. He writes a quarterly column for The Typewriter Exchange.
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I have to say I've never seen a device quite like this paper roll attachment before. I expect this typewriter was made in Germany shortly after the war and exported to the UK.
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Jim:
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My new red Imperial Good Companion no. 5 started speaking through the fingers of a certain typist:
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Katy Evans-Bush brought a classy postwar Groma, tried various other machines, and discussed writing with fellow typist Scott.
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This is only a partial record of the afternoon. You can see Piotr's photos on his blog.
One insurgent notable for his absence was the legendary Bikethru. Fortunately, I was able to meet him for lunch at a pub the following day. (Poor me, I am obliged to patronize pub after pub.)
Here's a British scene for you: an Imperial Aristocrat, two pints, bubble and squeak, Stilton, and beef.
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Bikethru started typing ...
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In other adventures, I visited the Churchill War Rooms, a secret bunker under government buildings where Churchill and his staff strategized. Many people lived here practically day and night.
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Naturally, typewriters were an essential tool. It's hard to take pictures down there because of the lighting and the glass, but here are a few glimpses.
There were a couple of Remington Noiseless machines; Churchill had sensitive ears (NO WHISTLING signs were posted) and these typewriters were less offensive.
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One of the typewritten documents on display ("TO BE BURNT BEFORE READING") humorously documents the challenges faced by the bunker's typing pool:
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Several of the rooms were equipped with magnificent black Imperials.
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There's even a little Imperial in the gift shop (not for sale, although you can get some rubber "typewriter" letter stamps).
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I end with a scene in a shop window. Having served its country nobly in times of war, this distinguished Imperial awaits the moment when it will serve again.
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