UPPERCASE Magazine, a beautifully designed publication with a tagline that tells us that they’re “for the creative and curious” has launched a DIY Kickstarter-esque campaign to raise funds for a large format, 244-page ode to our favorite retro creative companion titled The Typewriter: a Graphic History of the Beloved Machine.
So much more than a welcome splash of color in workspaces dominated by Apple’s well-designed, albeit impersonal, products, the typewriter is a symbol of a simpler creative life. As the book’s concept explains, “the influence of the typewriter has been significant. Most notably, typewriters brought women into the workforce, contributing to emancipation. Great works of literature have been composed with them. The once ubiquitous office tool has had integral roles in film, art and popular culture, elevating it to iconic status.”
Thanks to Etsy, our favorite virtual marketplace championing very-very small business, an awesome vintage typewriter of your own is but a few deft keystrokes away. From the portable model favored by Bob Dylan to Olivetti’s iconic “anti-machine machine for use anyplace but an office,” click through to check out some of the most gorgeous and inspiring typewriters available online today. Kids, they call it a comeback.
Sperry Rand Remington Ten Forty, $59
Made in Holland, this gorgeous cream model is one of the many iconic designs of Carl Sundberg, one of America’s leading late 20th century industrial designers, and quite possibly the most influential typewriter designer of our time.
Maruzen 200 Typewriter, $150
A minimal Japanese model that rivals the sleek lines of your MacBook.
Olivetti Valentine Typewriter, $571
Designed by renowned Italian architect, Ettore Sottsass Jr., and Perry A. King, this pop art design icon has been featured in almost every reference book on 20th century design. Expressing the mood of the late ’60s, the designers said goodbye to the bulky cast-iron housings of old typewriters, and hello to the new mobility of the light, modern wunder-material: plastic. In describing the vision for the bold red tool, Olivetti states that it’s an “anti-machine machine for use anyplace but an office.”
Royal Safari manual typewriter, $325
Check out this awesome photo of Bob Dylan typing the liner notes for Another Side of Bob Dylan on a retro machine like this one in his writing studio above the Café Espresso on Tinker Street in Woodstock, New York.
Mustard Yellow Quen-Data 620 De Luxe, $156
Mustard never looked so good.
Turquoise Blue Smith Corona Super Correct XT, $28
This early electric model is a steal at $28. Update a desk cluttered with digital devices, and make room for this blue baby.
Olivetti Lettera 35, $50
This elephant grey model is an affordable way to own a piece of Olivetti’s design legacy.
Brother Deluxe, $310
If pink’s your thing, then this gem is for you.
Remington Rand 5 with colored keys, $650
The typewriter introduced the qwerty arrangement that remains the keyboard of choice for our computers today.
Bright Red Royal Quiet De Luxe, $495
The Royal Quiet Deluxe was said to be Hemingway’s favorite machine.
Yellow Olivetti Escort 55 for Montgomery Ward with cursive font, $729
Type in cursive!
Royal Century Portable Typewriter, $100
Made in Japan, this unusual two tone machine comes complete with a handy traveling case. Take it down to your local coffee shop. See what happens!