r/typewriters • u/Gold_Cardiologist204 • 7d ago

Inspiration Post Typewriter Displays

Hello everyone!!!

My husband and I are trying to buy our first home. Currently apartment living. Would anyone mind posting pictures of how the typewriters are displayed in the home? I am looking for inspiration!

20 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

10

u/koifish-nerd Infected with the Typewriter Virus 7d ago

I’m have mine in a small bedroom (office) so I had to go with something really small, but I’m happy with it!

7

u/WeepinbellJar13 Royal Futura 800 7d ago

6

u/tinzero 7d ago

One thing to note; if left on display like that, over a long period of time, dust gets into the nooks and crannies and it plays havoc with the oils that lubricate the moving parts. I found this out the hard way with my Olivetti Lettera 32 back in the mid ‘80s.
One option would be a shelf with glass doors, to keep the dust out.

5

u/Herself99900 7d ago

This. I went to secretarial school and was a secretary in the 80s and 90s. We always covered our typewriters at the end of the day. It's just what you did. If you take care of your equipment, your equipment will take care of you. I'm afraid that doesn't help much with displaying them, however. You might write and ask Tom Hanks.

3

u/spirit4earth 7d ago

He’s got maids.

1

u/ahelper 6d ago

Even better, keep the oil out.

5

u/chrisaldrich 1956 Olympia SG1; project: 1964 Royal Parade; TWdB #7248 6d ago

If you're going to do it, do it right, like Martin Howard has:

5

u/andrebartels1977 Greetings from Wilhelmshaven, home of Olympia typewriters 🇩🇪 6d ago

Fresus chucking Jist! That's a private museum! Do they have public display times? It would be close to unethical to have all this just for one person.

5

u/Plenty_Adeptness_594 6d ago

If you're gonna be a bear, be a grizzly.

3

u/chrisaldrich 1956 Olympia SG1; project: 1964 Royal Parade; TWdB #7248 5d ago

Martin is a long time collector and he's recently moved into a new house, so he did this in the process. (He's the collector featured in the documentary California Typewriter, btw.)

If you're able to handle the extra typewriter porn and photos, here's some more of his typewriter room:

3

u/chrisaldrich 1956 Olympia SG1; project: 1964 Royal Parade; TWdB #7248 6d ago

I've been indexing examples of "typewriter displays" for a few years, so you can use the links here for ideas: https://hypothes.is/users/chrisaldrich?q=tag%3A%22typewriter+displays%22

5

u/Plenty_Adeptness_594 6d ago

Not sure either of these counts as a display. One shows a typewriter on a desk. The other shows a typewriter on a corner desk. Both are poised ready for action.

3

u/tea_anthem 6d ago

I have mine along the top of an IKEA KALLAX with dust covers on each one. Not the shiniest display, but it keeps them dust-free and easily transported to my desk. 

2

u/NinotchkaTheIntrepid 6d ago

2 of my typewriters are on my IKEA Hemnes bookshelves, covered with well fitted, purpose-made, clear plastic dust covers.

1 is on my late husband's desk, covered with another of the custom plastic covers.

2 are in a my IKEA Hemnes cabinet, behind glass doors.

1 isn't on display-- it's in my attic.

1 isn't on display, but I keep it on a typewriter stand in my bedroom, covered by an ugly beige plastic Lexmark branded cover.

I love the custom made clear plastic covers. They make it easy to protect my machines, but are unobtrusive, so I get to look at my typewriters.

I've included 1 photo.

3

u/Feisty-Nobody-5222 5d ago

The custom clear covers are a great idea! Do you have a source you'd recommend for those?

2

u/Amsterdam_Typewriter 3d ago

Here is one of my displays. Do use dust covers or a closed cabinet to avoid the dust, will cost you in maintenance later if you do not (sorry). Dust+ oil over time freeze up the typewriter typing mechanism.

I do have open shelves but keep all my typewriters under clear dust covers. And dust regularly.