I have developed a renewed interest in manual typewriters recently. Although I have always enjoyed using them, it just seemed that the time was right to explore this aspect of the 'luddite world'. Maybe that makes me a 'retro-techie' as one blogger calls herself.
I was passing a thrift store the other day after picking up my mail at the post office. Sensing an urge to pull in, I asked the manager if they ever carried old typewriters. (Many thrift stores no longer accept them for lack of potential buyers.) She told me that they has just received one and asked if I would I like to take a look at it. There it was - the Olivetti Lettera 32 that I had been looking for! For only $4.99! This was my day!
I have been interested in this model because it had a history of use by many writers and reporters, many of whom covered the Viet Nam conflict. The Pulitzer Prize winning author, Cormac McCarthy had used one to tap out nearly every one of his novels. In fact, when it began showing the inevitable signs of wear he agreed to auction his trusty Lettera 32 off to benefit a charity, the Santa Fe Institute. To everyone's amazement it sold for over $254,000! He bought another one for under $20.
I don't think my 'Luddite Laptop' will ever bring that kind of money but it sure looks good on my desk. That is my story and I'm sticking to it.
