Now that Charlene Oesch of Baco Ribbons has passed away, many in the typosphere have been wondering what will become of her rare typewriter-inking equipment. I can report that it will not be junked; there is a likely buyer, and there are back-up takers in the wings. Now whoever gets these machines will just have to figure out how to run them—because Charlene never wrote up instructions or filmed herself using them.
I have never witnessed the process of inking ribbons until today. Jett Morton shared a video taken by Theresa of Fine Line Ribbon in Ennis, Texas. It's published here by permission of them both. Isn't this neat??
Very cool! Charlene had some staff, so I would hope some of them know how to use the machines, and the specs on the diameter of the steel rollers.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great relief. It has been tough the past decade seeing so much get tossed because nobody could take up the baton. (:
ReplyDeleteMaybe this 4th try as anonymous will work because Blooger blows normal identified comments into the aether again.
ReplyDeleteNeat machine. Looks uncomplicated, but with that speed and producing a perfect looking bi-color ribbon is amazing.
Hope someone cans successfully acquire Baco and be successful making ribbons.
Bill M
I was wondering the other day what would happen to these machines when I heard the sad news. It warms my heart that the inking machines are going to be preserved, and hopefully serve the community once again.
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