The Typewriter: 7 Tips for Collecting Vintage Writing Machines

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The familiar sounds of pecking away at the keys of your manual typewriter are indigenous to the way typing used to be. Waiting on the infamous sound of that "ding," you knew the end of your right margin was near. As you move the silver lever and coax a carriage return, your new line appears to begin typing once again.

Two basic categories that all writing machines can be placed in is either "keyboard" or "index." The keyboard category is when a keyboard is used to select the character you want and the key is depressed to print the character. An index typewriter has a chart on which all the characters appear using a pointer or wheel to select the desired character. Manipulation using another lever or mechanism prints the character.

It takes time and patience to extensively research and learn about collecting typewriters. There are hundreds of typewriter brands and thousands of models. Here are seven things to contemplate when searching to begin collecting vintage typewriters:

1. Rarity: Consider the make, model, year, use of materials and any other unique facets that create a rare vintage collectible.

2. Condition: Most vintage pieces will probably need some type of restoration. Investigate your potential collectible to estimate the amount of repair work needed and filter in estimated costs that would get it back in satisfactory working condition.

3. Type of mechanism: The operational makeup of the typewriter.

4. Exquisiteness of the design: The beauty of the typewriter. This includes style and other decorative elements like bronze and floral accents or mother of pearl inlays.

5. Personal affection of the piece: What draws you to a particular vintage model that makes you desire to buy it.

6. Join a collectors association: Search to see if there are any local clubs or organizations in your area. You may find that typewriter manufacturing companies could give you some leads on your inquiry.

7. Contact other collectors: You can check out some online collector's websites for information on buying or selling vintage typewriters.

There are relatively few collectors, so you will find that the prices on early typewriters are not fixed. Vintage typewriters may turn up at antique shows, flea markets, attics, garage sales, thrift stores or dilapidated shops carrying second-hand goods. It's a rarity that you will find vintage typewriters in elegant antique shops.

Early typewriters focused on visible distinctions and principal mechanics. Improvements were made in basic design elements, such as the system of linkages from the key to the type. Features maintained "type" alignment. Of course newer designs operated on fewer parts than earlier writing machines. These features made typing faster and easier. Amazingly, typewriters became quieter and more reliable. As typewriters evolved, inventors and manufacturers continued to develop the ultimate writing machine. Although vintage typewriters are not a popular collector's item, they are beginning to gain global attention from writing and engineering enthusiasts, historians and many people interested in collecting rare pieces of writing machine history.

Kym Gordon Moore is a member of the North Carolina Writer’s Network with over twenty six years of corporate and personal writing experience. As a public relations strategist for budget conscious new authors, she coordinates creative marketing packages for her clients. Many of her articles, essays, short stories and poems appeared in a variety of magazines, newspapers, ezines and anthologies. http://www.kymgmoore.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kym_Gordon_Moore

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Many Fine Examples of Antique Bookcases

When looking for antique bookcases, domestic pieces will generally date from as far back as 1700 when case furniture began to be produced in serious quantity. Bookcases of course can be traced back as far as the late 16th century and there are some very fine examples at Oxford University's Bodleian Library. Early examples of bookcases were usually made of oak, and tended to be plain rather than decorative. Very early books would be laid flat on the shelves, and it was only with the advent of the print industry that spines and titles would be displayed outwards.

A walnut bureau bookcase from the time of Queen Anne (1702-14) is a very fine example of an early antique bookcase. Pieces like this formed part of a revolution in furniture making in Britain, with the arrival of Huguenot craftsmen expelled from France at the end of the 17th century and these new forms of manufacture remained throughout the 18th century. The bureau bookcase was an encased set of shelves set upon a bureau or writing desk. The desk had a fold down flap with sets of drawers arranged beneath. The cabinet placed on top to hold the books had two often mirror glazed doors which helped to encourage light. These cabinets were often pedimented on top to give an architectural quality to the piece.

As the 18th century progressed, varying types of antique bookcase evolved. Much larger architectural pieces were being made for libraries and the smaller compact bureau bookcase for the drawing room. Walnut had now become very scarce and mahogany was being imported as its replacement. The bookcase was not only made to showcase books but also to showcase the art of the cabinet maker and many fine examples remain from the time of George III onwards. Door fronts were generally glazed within astragal mouldings and beading and these ornamental glazed doors could range from fairly plain to very elaborate.

One of the most impressive bookcases is the breakfront. These are large architectural pieces with broken pediments and moulded cornices, usually made from mahogany. They can be fully or half glazed with cupboards rather than bureaux underneath, usually with three or four sets of shelves, with the central set pushed forward or breaking the front of the piece.

Towards the end of the 18th century, designer decorators like Robert Adam incorporated furniture like the secretaire cabinet and secretaire bookcase into their general house design. The much lighter satinwood had become popular during this later period and Adam employed craftsmen and artists to decorate furniture with marquetry inlay or painted neoclassical motifs and garlands of flowers. Some pieces were very bright and colourful indeed.

Much Queen Anne, Georgian and Neoclassical furniture from the 18th century was revived during the Victorian era so there remains a good choice of well made, large and more compact antique bookcases in a variety of guises to choose from. These are very imposing pieces of furniture and make excellent investments for the budding antique collector, or for the general investor.

The author, Christian Davies, is a second generation antiques dealer and owner of Christian Davies Antiques, a family based antiques business based in Preston, Lancashire.
Christian has over 23 years experience in the antiques business and has a passion for genuine, high quality antiques furniture, such as antique bookcases, which he sources from the UK and Europe.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_Raven_Davies

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A Brief History of Early Fine Ink Pens

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If you have ever sat down to write an old fashioned letter, address formal envelopes or write a speech, you probably have an appreciation of the artistic qualities of fine pens. Fine writing pens offer an authentic, nostalgic communication experience that typing or emailing simply cannot. It has been said that when people express their thoughts with fine ink pens as opposed to other forms of writing, they invoke a more emotional response from their reader. This is because unlike fine pens, online and typed messages lack the essence of the writer's personality.

The first fine pens were made with mass produced pen points that were stamped out of sheet metal and molded into various shapes to suit different styles of writing. To use, writers selected a pen point, fitted it onto a holder, dipped the tip in ink and began writing. Although innovations to the design of the instrument began in the latter part of the 19th century, this remained a popular format for fine writing pens until as late as the 1950s.

In an effort to eliminate the need to carry around an ink well and continuously dip the pen point, a portable fine pen that could carry its own refillable ink supply became necessary. Thus the fountain pen was born. A fine pen that featured a three channel feed was developed in the 1870s by L.E. Waterman. This design allowed for a smooth, controlled flow of ink via a pumping action, wherein the pen point snapped back and forth from an interior ink sac.

The next generation of fine pens used what is known as the self-filling system. They were also referred to as "eyedropper" pens because in order to fill them, users had to unscrew them and pour the ink supply in through a long dropper. Unfortunately, the fit between the cap and the barrel was not always secure and leaking was a common side effect. Therefore a model was invented in which the point was retracted into the barrel with a twisting motion, similar to a tube of lipstick. Theses were called safety pens.

Other variations on self-filling fine pens debuted throughout the years, including the blow filler, the sleeve filler, the button filler, the level filler, the pneumatic filler, the piston filler and the plunger filler. These represented the standard in fine writing pens until the invention of the cartridge pen in the 1930s, which is similar to the pens that are most commonly used today. They contained a glass ink cartridge (now made of plastic) that was intended to be disposable rather than refillable.

Early fine pens offer a glimpse into our communication history and as such have become a popular collectors' hobby. If you interested in learning more about fine pens, online retailers can offer a wealth of knowledge as well as unique items to start your collection.

Wayne Hemrick writes about - fine pens.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Hemrick

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Vintage Fountain Pens - Getting Started in the Hobby of Collecting

The Golden age of the fountain pen is usually considered to have started in the late 1800s, when it became the writing instrument that dominated, through World War II when it was largely replaced by the ballpoint pen.

During this roughly 60 year period there were an extraordinary number of innovations and styles introduced by many different manufacturers. Many of the pens created during this time are prized by collectors for their beauty and functionality.

Although fountain pens are still manufactured today and are still in demand as writing instruments, collectible vintage pens are generally considered to be those made before 1965. There are an extraordinary variety, and vintage pen collecting is a hobby that many people enjoy.

It's easy to get started. They are vintage pen shows held throughout the United States, mostly near larger cities. By visiting one of these pen shows you will have the opportunity to talk to knowledgeable collectors and viewed thousands of vintage pens.

You could also just go on eBay and randomly start buying pens that appeal to you. Just like with used cars, however, different pens have varying values depending on the model, manufacturer, and condition. While you would rapidly build up a pen collection this way, some knowledge about what you're buying is essential.

Fortunately there are some pen guides available which you can use to educate yourself and help make a wise decision when buying a vintage pen. If you are serious about collecting antique pens as a hobby, you will want to add a few good reference books to your personal library.

One of the best books recommended for beginning collectors is Fountain Pens Past & Present -- Identification & Value Guide by Paul Erano.

This is considered by many vintage pen collectors to be a very comprehensive book about how to collect vintage pens. There are many color photos and also vintage fountain pen ads. It has lots of different and valuable information, talks about how to find vintage pens and restore them. It also covers the basics for how to value pens. Of course the actual values for specific pens change over time. However this book is a good guide to determining the relative value of different vintage pens. If you are truly interested in collecting antique pens as a hobby, this is an excellent book to add to your collection.

Also, thanks to the Internet, you can frequently locate copies of the actual brochures published by a pen manufacturer for those vintage pens you are interested in. The original brochures are collectibles by themselves, but you can also frequently buy a PDF version in an electronic format to uncover as much detail as possible about your pen.

eBay is an excellent place to find fountain pens. At any one time there usually are over 1000 auctions going on for vintage pens. In general, when competing in an eBay auction, keep in mind that there are other people who want the same pen that you do. They may be willing or to pay more than the pen is worth so to avoid this you should always do your research, determine the approximate value for the pen, set your personal limit as to the amount you are willing to pay, and stick to that.

Because there are such a huge number of auctions on eBay, if you are unable to buy one particular vintage pen because you are outbid, the chances are good that there will the another pen similar to it auctioned in the near future.

Sara Bondia writes on a wide variety of topics and regularly contributes articles to different websites. For information on how to find an extraordinary variety of collectible vintage fountain pens visit [http://www.vintage-fountain-pens.info] NOTE: You have full permission to reprint this article within your website or newsletter as long as you leave the article fully intact and include the author's information and the website link. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sara_M._Bondia

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The Different Factors That Affect Antique Book Prices

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Collecting antique items can be very enjoying. There are different reasons why a person or individual collects antiques. Most of them have the passion for history and that is why they want to collect and use antique items. These items also add elegance to a room or area. This is very suitable if the theme of your house decoration is western style. For people who love to read books, they often collect antique books and have it displayed in their shelves or library. If you are a person who loves to collect books and you want to also collect antique books, then here are a few hints about the different factors that can affect antique book prices.

When talking about antiques, they are items that age a hundred years or more. Therefore, a book is only considered as an antique if it has already been around for a hundred years or more. Since it has already been around for a long period of time, there are greater possibilities of it being inflicted with damages. Breakages and damages on an antique item depreciate its value. So, when it comes to antique book prices, even just a small damage on the book will already mean depreciation in terms of its value. Take note that condition of an antique item also plays a big factor when it comes to its appraisal.

Another factor that affects antique book prices is the historical background of the book. The richer the history of the book is, the higher its price value will be. For instance, if the book was the one written by a famous writer, then for sure that book is valuable and costs expensive. Another example is; even if the book is not written by a famous author or writer as long as the book was read or used by a famous person, then the book is surely valuable.

And lastly, the biggest factor that can raise or drop the value of an antique item is rarity. An antique item that is very rare is also very valuable and expensive. This is where other people take advantage of - especially those who are known as scammers. They try to make an exact duplication of the item and sell it expensively. And, if you do not have the proper antiquing skills and knowledge, you can become their victim. So, in order to avoid getting scammed or fooled, be sure to educate yourself a lot first about successful antiquing and always bring along with you tools and equipments that will help you identify if an item is really antique or not.

Margaret W. Moore is an art enthusiast and loves collecting antique items very much. She had been onto antiquing for decades and continues to share all her knowledge and expertise about successful antiquing through specific antique book prices. She also compiled all her knowledge and expertise about antiquing and authored the book "The Hidden Secrets Of Antiquing" for the benefit of those who want to know more about successful antiquing. To discover more secrets behind successful antiquing, please feel free to visit her site http://www.superantiquingsecrets.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Margaret_W._Moore

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Buying a First Edition Used Book

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What is a First Edition Book?

A First Edition book is a book that is the first printing of the first edition of a book. That does not mean the first book to be printed but the first run of books that are printed of a newly published book. There can be hundreds or more in each printing. To find a true First Edition in a used paperback book or used hardcover book can be very frustrating. But is worth the effort if you find the book you want. As time passes most used paperback books are thrown away so, a First Edition in used paperback books are rare. The same can be said for used hardcover books, they are generally discarded or they no longer have their dust jackets. The dust jackets are valuable when reselling/buying a used hardcover book. They have details on them that help determine the book's origin.

Identifying a First Edition Book

Wording--First Edition, First Printing, First Impression, First Published or Published

Take note that some publishers will state "First Printing by (publisher). This is not a First Edition but a first printing by a different publisher than original publisher.

Number line, it will look like this, 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Usually the (1) should be on the number line. This indicates it is the 1st printing. If the 1 is missing that usually means that the book is a second printing. There are some publishers who remove the 1 when printing the first edition, Random House is one. If the 1 is missing and you are not sure of the publisher's rules it is a good idea to consult a bibliography or guide to First Editions. The general rule is number line should have the (1).

Dates on copyright page and title page should agree.

The phrase, Copyright 1942, should be on the copyright page and on page where title is, usually at bottom, 1942. Sometimes there will be a year between the dates. This is not uncommon if book was copyright late in one year and published in the next year. Occasionally there will be more dates with the copyright date. This will occur when part of the book had been published in a journal or anthology. In this case the last date should agree with title page date. The rule for dates is they should be the same, the copyright and title page dates.

Undated Books, rare or vintage

Many of the older books will not have dates on them. This makes if even harder to determine a First Edition. You will need to use a bibliography or library guide to tell for sure. Some older books will have a date on the title page but no copyright date. Book Club editions also have no corresponding dates. General rule is if dates are missing check with sources before buying. A good seller will state if book is a Book Club Edition.

First Edition Book or Book Club Book

There are "sellers" selling book club books as First Editions. Sometimes it is hard to tell because of the era it was printed in. If you are interested in a certain book and want a First Edition do your homework before purchasing. Check out the title, book size, dates (if available,) publisher and the color of book cover all of these will help determine its status. Just because there is only one date on the book does not make it a First Edition.

I hope this information will be helpful for the new collector, when they go to purchase a used paperback book or used hardcover book that says it is a First Edition. Remember when buying a used paperback book or used hardcover book, to research or ask questions if you have doubts.

Catherine Dahrens [http://www.booksatfarwest.com] Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Dahrens

What to Collect?

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Whatever your interests – literary classics, landmarks in the history of ideas, monumental accounts of travel and exploration, revolutionary scientific and medical works, exquisite decorative bindings and sets, beloved children’s books, inscribed or association copies – Bauman Rare Books has much to offer.

Our extensive and constantly changing inventory includes everything from the most elusive and desirable rarities (such as an 1814 first edition of the account of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the 1640 first collected edition of Shakespeare’s Poems or a first edition of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations) to very affordable first editions, signed copies and lovely bindings that make perfect gifts. We’ve helped form every type of collection imaginable, from works banned and censored through the centuries to books that inspired classic films.

Many collectors, however, don’t necessarily collect around a specific focus. Some search for the books they’ve loved throughout their lives, those that taught, inspired or moved them. Of all types of collecting, this is perhaps the most personal: what other groups of objects can better reflect one’s passions?

Americana – From the earliest voyages of discovery to the founding of a new nation, from the exploration of the West to the turmoil of the Civil War, Americana is among the most compelling areas of collecting.

Art, Architecture and Design – Artists’ books – also known as livres d’artiste – provide the collector with an excellent opportunity to own original works produced specifically for that book and signed by an important artist. In the early eighteenth century Giacomo Leoni’s translation into English of Andrea Palladio’s I Quattro libri dell-architettura (first published in 1570) solidified the late Renaissance architect’s reputation and led to the revival of his classical architectural theories, sparking the movement that became known as Palladianism.

Children’s Books – Once upon a time, children’s books weren’t necessarily – or even usually – fun. It sounds strange today, when toddlers Pat the Bunny, beginning readers sound out a menu of Green Eggs and Ham and throngs attend midnight bookstore parties for the release of Harry Potter’s latest adventure. But education, not entertainment, drove the earliest literature for young readers.

History, Government and Thought – Whether your interest leads along academic or highly personal routes, whether you are in search of first-hand accounts or histories narrated by later voices, a collection built around classic histories can be fascinating. Great ideas in philosophy may represent the spirit of their age, or dissect it, but their influence is seldom limited to one field or discipline. For who could persuasively argue that the works of Plato or Aristotle are not profoundly resonant in medicine, architecture, literature and music?

Literature – Author and critic Italo Calvino wrote, “A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” As overwhelmed as we might be considering the range and sheer number of important works of literature produced through the centuries, one of the fascinations of collecting is that by seeking out the books we think are most important, we bring a certain order to the great expanse and preserve in our collections those books that had a significance for us – as individuals and as a society.

Music – Collectors of landmark musical scores enter the worlds of Mozart, Haydn, Bach, Puccini, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Gershwin and other brilliant composers whose works continue to thrill us. Music collecting is not confined to musicologists or academics; it is neither difficult nor arcane, but an arena with enormous intrinsic appeal.

Photography – Whether in snapshot, portrait, calotype, positive or negative, panorama, daguerreotype or print, the all-powerful eye of the camera has launched one of the fastest growing fields for the rare book collector to explore. With both art and technology in its genes, photography bridges centuries, tracing its origins back to our earliest speculations about vision, sunlight’s transformative mysteries, and the delights of the camera obscura. Part magic, part memory, with painting as a forefather and cinema a second cousin, this is a fascinating area.

Religion – One cannot ignore the Bible’s tremendous influence on world thought and literature. The Bible, of course, was the first book ever printed, and while a Gutenberg Bible of 1455 is no longer a realistic goal for private collectors, many magnificent editions printed in later centuries are.

Science, Medicine and Natural History – William Hazlitt defined science as “the desire to know causes,” and the collector of rare scientific and natural history books share that passion. The great works of mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, botany and astronomy represent not only the investigation of the hidden causes that move the visible world, but also the celebration of human curiosity, research and insight that made such investigation possible, and those revolutionary shifts in human thought that made the mysterious understandable.

Sport and Leisure – Chief Justice Earl Warren remarked, “I always turn to the sports page first, which records people’s accomplishments. The front page has nothing but a man’s failures.” Collectors of the literature of sport find inspiration in pages that record historic physical and athletic triumphs.

Travel and Exploration – In 1772 Captain James Cook, determined to either find or disprove the existence of Terra Australis, set sail on the HMS Resolution. Many collectors focus on the history of a single figure, like Cook, Richard Burton or David Roberts, while others turn to events like the race to the North and South Poles chronicled through The South Pole, The Voyage of Discovery and The Heart of the Antarctic.

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The Beauty of a Hobby in Collecting Vintage Books

People cannot resist an object that has a story to tell. Vintage books touch a nerve in us all because we know that these were passed down from generation to generation - read by people with love and tears in their eyes - laughed over, wept over and marked by people who understood what the books said and who thought about them. Antique books are important enough to people that they will pay extraordinary sums for them. To them, vintage books tell not just the story contained within their covers, but also the story of their journey through time as books.

People setting out for the first time in the endeavor of collecting vintage books may want to start out in a niche that isn't expensive to support. Finding antique books on horticulture for instance would be a well-enough rewarding one without busting the budget. It would be nearly impossible to find a rare George Elliott book original run book in a yard sale; it could still be possible to find a horticulture original from a master from a century ago. You get the idea. People starting out should probably get their feet wet in a niche that helps them understand the challenges and rewards of the endeavor.

Some of the most popular kinds of antique books to collect are the leather-bound variety that come with beautiful gilt embellishment on the spine. While most such books look antiquey and terribly attractive, one needs to understand that not every antique book is valuable. If one is serious about collecting, one needs to nose out books for their standing - their pedigree, their importance to something larger than themselves. The kind of books that generally do hold considerable value are ones that are first editions or signed by the author or owned by someone well-respected and famous.

The first edition of the original fairytales by the Brothers Grimm sold a couple of years ago for over $10,000. The first edition of George Orwell's dystopian epic 1984 sold for thousands of dollars. A first edition of Shakespeare's plays can go for millions. It's difficult, almost impossible to come across one of these treasures at a yard sale or a church charity sale. But it's been known to happen. People who really care about books, keep their eyes peeled where ever they go. And that is what it takes to make a real find. It only has to happen once.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Calvin_Knowles

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Where Can I Buy Antique Books?

Collecting books is an increasingly popular passion for some people. If you like books and want to make some money from home or just start a new hobby, then collecting antique books may be a natural step for you. It doesn't matter what your reasons are, learning how to become a vintage book collector for fun or profit is not difficult. One of the real questions is where do you buy antique books?

Though it may sound intimidating to some, it actually is not difficult to learn how to become a book collector. There are some good books on the subject and there is a lot of good help on the internet on everything you need to know about finding, identifying, buying, and selling antique books in a step by step format.

Places where you have opportunities to find valuable antique books being sold sometimes well under their actual value are local auctions, book fairs, antique book stores, flea markets, and even on the internet. You can often buy them for a great price and then turn around and sell them for a decent profit.

Before talking about where to look let's look at what makes a book a good one to buy. Just being old is not enough to make it a good book to buy. There also needs to be some demand for the book and the condition of the book is also very important. Books that are very close to their original condition or mint condition are very rare but obviously have the most value. Books that are dirty or have been written in have a lot less value. One exception to this rule is when the book was written in by someone famous. First editions of a popular book signed by the author or owned by someone famous can make a huge difference to its value.

Let's look at one of the places to find great antique books; the Internet. The internet can not only help you discover information on collecting them but it is a great place to buy them. The Internet can bring you all the information on book collecting you need to know to become an accomplished book collector. Things like recognizing first edition books and how much they should cost.

If you are looking for a specific book or author it is easy to dig deeper and find what you're looking for on the internet. A good way of saving some money is to search on eBay or Amazon first. Great books can be found on eBay and at prices that are much cheaper than a lot of local book shops. It's good though to shop local as well. You can start shopping for the books you're looking for on eBay within minutes.

Amazon is also a great resource in fact Amazon is an even better resource because it specializes in books. The great thing is people from around the world sell their used unwanted and often antique books here.

Antique books are truly amazing and collecting them can occasionally be very lucrative. You may get lucky and be able to buy a true first edition book at say $50 and then be able to sell it for several hundred dollars. Many people have done it.

From the first vintage book you buy you will be on the way towards becoming an inspired antique book collector.

Tack Smith has enjoyed antiquing for years. For great information on buy antique books, visit http://www.newantiquingsecrets.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tack_Smith

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