This post has been in the pipeline for weeks; the proximity with Michael's Ico score is an amusing coincidence. In short, we did not conspire to launch “Must-have Ico Month.” ( :
But you left out the suspenseful bit: folks, after Ton was the official new owner of this Ico we were testing it at my house and we found that the typebar lock, which engages at the end of the typing line, wouldn't disengage. A pretty bad problem, and we couldn't figure out what to do. Finally we agreed that I would ship it to Ton in Chicago if I could fix it. But that evening I figured out a fix (which involved abrading about 0.25mm off a certain piece that was getting stuck). I drove over to where Ton was staying and he was able to take the machine home with him.
What a machine! What a story! It is so great that you were able to find your holy grail typewriter. I must say that, although I was interested in them before, the amount of these ICO's showing up on the typosphere really make me pine for one. I will keep my eyes peeled, of course, but in the meantime let me congratulate you on what is, I'm sure, your most prized typewriter. What was that sound? Funny, but I thought I just heard a bit of a shuffle. Perhaps it was the Studio 44 being taken down a notch?
It looks like a beautiful machine. But I must say that I just loved reading your post and it made me laugh. It is so human nature somehow. Thanks, have a great week.
@Dwayne, not quite complete, you'll see. ( : Yes, I tried the Graphika, it's a great typer but not as amazing as Lexikon 80 as Richard himself attests. By the way, did you just win a Lexikon 80? Just a hunch, I'm clairvoyant sometimes. ( ;
@Ted, ha, spot-on!
@Richard, appreciate the addendum. Your description of the repair would be more accurate than mine had I written about it. But let me just add that you drove over to deliver the Ico at nearly 11:00 pm, many thanks again for going the extra mile. You made an Olivetti junkie very happy!
@Ken, hey, thanks! I'm sure you will snag one sooner or later. Hard to top the Ico in the beauty department, simply stunning. In terms of typing action, the Ico is in the league of the Studio 42, pleasantly smooth... perhaps a tad too smooth. I let my friend who is an excellent touch-typer try it and she said it feels almost too elegant to type on. For regular use, I'd still give the gold medal to Studio 44. But I reiterate that each of my Olivettis has a special place in my collection. No competition in the family. ( :
@Luis, human nature indeed, glad you liked the story!
What a beautiful machine! I'm not sure if they sold Olivettis in Mexico before the 1950s (the oldest examples I've found around here are the Lettera 22 and Studio 44), but I'll definitely keep an eye open for a beautiful Ico or a Studio 42.
Congratulations on your finds! The machine not only looks fantastic, it also has a great story attached to it.
Ton: No, I am not the owner of the Lexikon that closed on ebay, today. I watched it and thought hard about bidding, but I am limited to one full size machine (not counting the Oliver 9). At the moment, that machine is a 1925/26 Woodstock Electric. It is not as elegant as the Lexicon, but it it super nerdy (steampunk with glass keys! oops: channeled Richard M.) and has an electric motor bolted to the side like it was Frankenstein's monster. Beside, I also just acquired a cursive Torpedo. My blue/blue one will be looking for a new home.
@Miguel, gracias! If not an Ico, I'm almost sure you'll find a Studio 42 sooner or later. I know they were available in Latin America.
@Bill, "get it past the Mrs"... I swear I've heard that before. ( :
@Dwayne, yeah, I was referring to that Lexikon listing on ebay. Ridiculously low-priced, I was hoping a typospherian had won it. Looking forward to your post on the cursive Torpedo.
@Nickarmadillo, the only solution is to join the typosphere, right?
@Adwoa, the spirit is willing but the flesh is so darn weak haha!
That is one beautiful typewriter! I have yet to add an Olivetti to my collection, and definitely haven't got one that is as handsome as that ICO. Congratulations!
Man, I don't think he'd even have finished the sentence before I would take him up on an Ico. I wonder if the issue is realted to the one Georg was working on in his garden when I was there.
Congratulations!!! so fun to read this post (and comments) about the latest addition to the collection! i am going to hunt around my dad's old things next chance i get just to see what was stashed away...
22 comments:
This post has been in the pipeline for weeks; the proximity with Michael's Ico score is an amusing coincidence. In short, we did not conspire to launch “Must-have Ico Month.” ( :
Very nice! I too would love a red ICO, but the world often has other plans. I'd say your Olivetti collection is complete, but I know better ;)
Did you have a chance to play with Richard's Graphika?
You're fooling yourself if you think the machine you're going to own is any other than the one that's staring right at you with puppy-dog eyes. :D
Ah, well photographed and well told!
But you left out the suspenseful bit: folks, after Ton was the official new owner of this Ico we were testing it at my house and we found that the typebar lock, which engages at the end of the typing line, wouldn't disengage. A pretty bad problem, and we couldn't figure out what to do. Finally we agreed that I would ship it to Ton in Chicago if I could fix it. But that evening I figured out a fix (which involved abrading about 0.25mm off a certain piece that was getting stuck). I drove over to where Ton was staying and he was able to take the machine home with him.
What a machine! What a story! It is so great that you were able to find your holy grail typewriter. I must say that, although I was interested in them before, the amount of these ICO's showing up on the typosphere really make me pine for one. I will keep my eyes peeled, of course, but in the meantime let me congratulate you on what is, I'm sure, your most prized typewriter.
What was that sound? Funny, but I thought I just heard a bit of a shuffle. Perhaps it was the Studio 44 being taken down a notch?
It looks like a beautiful machine. But I must say that I just loved reading your post and it made me laugh. It is so human nature somehow. Thanks, have a great week.
@Dwayne, not quite complete, you'll see. ( : Yes, I tried the Graphika, it's a great typer but not as amazing as Lexikon 80 as Richard himself attests. By the way, did you just win a Lexikon 80? Just a hunch, I'm clairvoyant sometimes. ( ;
@Ted, ha, spot-on!
@Richard, appreciate the addendum. Your description of the repair would be more accurate than mine had I written about it. But let me just add that you drove over to deliver the Ico at nearly 11:00 pm, many thanks again for going the extra mile. You made an Olivetti junkie very happy!
@Ken, hey, thanks! I'm sure you will snag one sooner or later. Hard to top the Ico in the beauty department, simply stunning. In terms of typing action, the Ico is in the league of the Studio 42, pleasantly smooth... perhaps a tad too smooth. I let my friend who is an excellent touch-typer try it and she said it feels almost too elegant to type on. For regular use, I'd still give the gold medal to Studio 44. But I reiterate that each of my Olivettis has a special place in my collection. No competition in the family. ( :
@Luis, human nature indeed, glad you liked the story!
What a beautiful machine! I'm not sure if they sold Olivettis in Mexico before the 1950s (the oldest examples I've found around here are the Lettera 22 and Studio 44), but I'll definitely keep an eye open for a beautiful Ico or a Studio 42.
Congratulations on your finds! The machine not only looks fantastic, it also has a great story attached to it.
Ton, You are so very lucky. Looks like you have a wonderful machine. The story is great.
The Ico is one of many on my want list. All I need is to find one at the right price, have the room for it, and find a way to get it past the Mrs.
Ton: No, I am not the owner of the Lexikon that closed on ebay, today. I watched it and thought hard about bidding, but I am limited to one full size machine (not counting the Oliver 9). At the moment, that machine is a 1925/26 Woodstock Electric. It is not as elegant as the Lexicon, but it it super nerdy (steampunk with glass keys! oops: channeled Richard M.) and has an electric motor bolted to the side like it was Frankenstein's monster. Beside, I also just acquired a cursive Torpedo. My blue/blue one will be looking for a new home.
DROOLING! That is one sexy piece of machinery.
Hahaha, great story, wonderful ending! I thought you were going to stick to your guns about that red, but glad to see you caved :P
The ICO looks great!
@Miguel, gracias! If not an Ico, I'm almost sure you'll find a Studio 42 sooner or later. I know they were available in Latin America.
@Bill, "get it past the Mrs"... I swear I've heard that before. ( :
@Dwayne, yeah, I was referring to that Lexikon listing on ebay. Ridiculously low-priced, I was hoping a typospherian had won it. Looking forward to your post on the cursive Torpedo.
@Nickarmadillo, the only solution is to join the typosphere, right?
@Adwoa, the spirit is willing but the flesh is so darn weak haha!
That is one beautiful typewriter! I have yet to add an Olivetti to my collection, and definitely haven't got one that is as handsome as that ICO. Congratulations!
Man, I don't think he'd even have finished the sentence before I would take him up on an Ico. I wonder if the issue is realted to the one Georg was working on in his garden when I was there.
@Vikram, you should get an Olivetti for college. ( :
@Peter, yeah, I didn't either. I haven't heard about Georg and his Ico project.
Hey Ton, you got your ICO! Congratulations! I'm sure that makes you even happier than Chicharrón de Mariscos.
@Florian, thanks! I don't know, it's a hard choice between the Ico and Chicharrón de Mariscos haha!
Congratulations!!! so fun to read this post (and comments) about the latest addition to the collection! i am going to hunt around my dad's old things next chance i get just to see what was stashed away...
Thanks, b.c., hope you find your dad's typewriter!
I read this post with a smile! Lovely black Ico you have! :) And Richard is just awesome too!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the post. Do drop in again.
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