It's time for the tenth annual typewriter collectors' meeting at Herman Price's amazing Chestnut Ridge Typewriter Museum, in his home in West Virginia. What began ten years ago as a little get-together for a few friends has ballooned into the legendary "Herman's." This year, about a hundred people are expected to attend. Herman's story about the last ten years of meetings will appear in the December ETCetera.
I always enjoy making the drive from Cincinnati (about 5 or 6 hours) through the colorful fall foliage of southern Ohio and central and northern West Virginia. Here are a few moments from today's trip.
The Parker House Hotel building in Hillsboro, Ohio, dates from 1807:
Only in rural America? ...
(Yes, that is the same Remington company that made the first Type Writer, although the typewriter business soon spun off from the arms business.)
Not everything out in the country has historic charm, but at least this strip mall has an amusing name...
The town of Bainbridge, Ohio, was having its annual fall festival. Hundreds of people were on the streets, and there were dozens of sales going on. Very few typewriters, though. In one ramshackle, moldy antique barn I spotted a Royal KMM for $45 and a Tom Thumb for $35. Both in rough condition. No, thanks.
Chillicothe, Ohio, has plenty of history and lots of antique shops. The following note was in a nice-looking tan Smith-Corona Silent-Super ($95). I like the note, but the price was too rich for me.
However, at another Chillicothe shop I struck paydirt: an Olympia SM3, needing a bit of work, for just $25. There was just enough room for it on top of the other typewriter cases in my trunk:
The rest of my car is also full of machines, mostly sold in advance to other attendees. I am shrinking my collection ... honest.
At Herman's, I found quite a crowd of people and cars assembled in the dimming light of evening. Shortly after my arrival, a Prius tried to park by the side of the road and didn't see the ditch. It was rescued by a combination of truck and muscles.
Most of us went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. It was fun to see old friends, put faces to names, and meet new people. Tomorrow will be an action-packed day.
I always enjoy making the drive from Cincinnati (about 5 or 6 hours) through the colorful fall foliage of southern Ohio and central and northern West Virginia. Here are a few moments from today's trip.
The Parker House Hotel building in Hillsboro, Ohio, dates from 1807:
Only in rural America? ...
(Yes, that is the same Remington company that made the first Type Writer, although the typewriter business soon spun off from the arms business.)
Not everything out in the country has historic charm, but at least this strip mall has an amusing name...
The town of Bainbridge, Ohio, was having its annual fall festival. Hundreds of people were on the streets, and there were dozens of sales going on. Very few typewriters, though. In one ramshackle, moldy antique barn I spotted a Royal KMM for $45 and a Tom Thumb for $35. Both in rough condition. No, thanks.
Chillicothe, Ohio, has plenty of history and lots of antique shops. The following note was in a nice-looking tan Smith-Corona Silent-Super ($95). I like the note, but the price was too rich for me.
However, at another Chillicothe shop I struck paydirt: an Olympia SM3, needing a bit of work, for just $25. There was just enough room for it on top of the other typewriter cases in my trunk:
The rest of my car is also full of machines, mostly sold in advance to other attendees. I am shrinking my collection ... honest.
At Herman's, I found quite a crowd of people and cars assembled in the dimming light of evening. Shortly after my arrival, a Prius tried to park by the side of the road and didn't see the ditch. It was rescued by a combination of truck and muscles.
Most of us went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. It was fun to see old friends, put faces to names, and meet new people. Tomorrow will be an action-packed day.
