When I was on the road for a couple months in my tiny camper I packed an Olivetti Lettera 32. Prior to leaving it had been my daily typer. It fills the gap between a larger portable and an ultra-portable. So naturally, I felt it was the perfect trip companion. But there was a lingering feeling that it wasn’t the perfect fit. The longer I spent in the wilds of the American Southwest, the more I wished I’d had a Hermes Rocket. It’s much smaller and its snap-on shell makes it easy to stash with all the gear. I felt a Rocket was the pinnacle of ultra-compacts. But then I hooked up with fellow One ..read more

I like tiny & tidy. We bought a tiny teardrop camper last spring. We recently moved to a tiny house, for us at least. We have one of those tiny Dyson cordless vacuum wonders for daily dust & dander. So when I saw this Royal Parade, I had to get it. The name plate says, Made in Holland, so as not to confuse the average gringo. The Netherlands? What’s that? Perhaps I’m not the only one who imagines the place of origin influences an object. Just ask Apple, who insists on labeling their products: “Designed in California,” as if designed in the USA might mean Muncie, Indiana. I’ve never bee ..read more

Seven years. That’s how long it has been since I reviewed the 3000. I’ve gone through stacks of typewriters over the years, yet the Hermes 3000 is one of the few that left a distinct impression in how it felt, worked and sounded. What’s more, it’s the type of typewriter that gets the juices going. A pre-1960s Erika is another dopamine fix. That’s why I keep an Erika 5 stashed away. While my Lettera 32 is where the work happens, that Erika 5 is a sweet diversion. Is the Hermes 3000 still up to snuff? The one I got is the “New Version” as Hermes calls it. Really? C’mon, Hermes, that’s the best y ..read more

It’d be easy to think this review might be about the new Hermes electric typewriter, the Rocketbook. Wouldn’t that be cool? For many TR readers, you’ve probably been wondering why I haven’t reviewed electric typewriters. I should! In fact, I recently ordered a couple from eBay. But that’s a sad tale for another post and why I’m considering dropping eBay from my recommend list. If you’ve been a regular follower of One Typed Page, perhaps you saw a page from Kent Peterson (“Tales from a Rolltop Desk”) about an easy way to get typed pages into an editable text file for your computer. It’s called ..read more

Wouldn’t you know it, as soon as I finished the Studio 45 review, up pops another Olivetti. This time it was the Lettera 31. I know, there are loads of other machines I could be getting my fingers on, but I couldn’t resist. After all, I’d ditched my trusty Smith Corona Sterling (1947) for a Lettera 32. It’s not like the Sterling was a slouch, but the Lettera was newer, easier, crisper and finer. Letteras are small, but big enough for lots of rough drafts. They fill the niche between portable and ultra-portable. I like small typewriters, but shrink them too much, like the Hermes Rocket, and the ..read more

When I first started using Olivetti typewriters, I was drawn to their design. The modern shape. The colors. Their ads evoked a sense you were buying a work of art. Not only were they art, but writing on them was like art creating art. No wonder Olivetti used the word “studio,” as if a writer’s studio was contained in the shell of a typewriter. Even the aptly named Lettera series is a playful take on a familiar word. Poetic. That’s where it all begins, one letter at a time, making words, painting a picture, telling a story. When I sit at an Olivetti, I feel like I’m tapping into a rich tra ..read more

SUNDAY, APRIL 19, is Story Day on One Typed Page! For many of us, we’ve been isolating for two to three weeks, or more! If you’ve read the pages on One Typed Page, then you’ve glimpsed how it has affected us. At first I thought a page a day would be the prescription. But as each day resembled the last, I must admit my output waned. There was only so much virus pondering I could muster. Perhaps something new was needed. We’ve built a small community around these One Typed Pages — diverse and interesting! It’s a great format for sticking to a page, whether it’s prose or poetry. Now lets fill the ..read more

Perhaps you read my last post, One Typed Page, if not I encourage you to follow the link, read what’s going on, then get on your typewriter and submit a page. Not only will you feel better, the world will be a better place. If you’re a regular follower of Typewriter Review, and haven’t read the pages submitted on One Typed Page, I encourage you to jump over, read what’s been written, then click the follow button. We’ve got a few posted and there’s room for more! You’ve read the post, you’ve read the pages, you’ve heard the call — now what? You’re debating whether to write or not. To send ..read more

While it’s not the digital collapse many of you read in Cold Hard Type, it feels like the world is collapsing around us, especially if you’re shuttered in, keeping your social distance. Many of us writers are naturally distant, often letting our written words speak our minds. Your brain is just wired that way. And for good reason! We need people who can structure thoughts and ideas, then write a compelling story so others can make sense of the world. It’s easy to stop writing when the seams are coming apart and the world’s supply of toilet paper seems to have dried up. Don’t! Get a clean hanky ..read more

Here’s ten typewriters that will be sure to please. The list is numbered, but don’t let the numbering sway you. Any of these will do the job. Most are from the 1950s or later. They’re not collectible. They’re not antiques. They’re for working writers. You should be able to nab one for under $200 that probably just needs a new ribbon. They’re all portables, because they’re easier to ship and are more readily available. A quick search on eBay or Etsy will yield several results. Most are plentiful, while some may exist in fewer quantities. But wait a week or two and you’ll likely find a goo ..read more