Murakami (and his 'muse') ...

Oops, this most definitely isn't Murakami's Olivetti, but upon coming across the quote, I knew I had to get down to typing it out right away :)

Happy weekend everyone! 

CLEARly Unusual!

It's almost 2am here, but I couldn't resist sharing photos of my latest acquisition (from a while back actually) that I truly am in awe of ... And I think it's clear to see why (eeeps, couldn't help myself!) ...

More likely than not, this typewriter probably spent some time behind bars since the transparent housing means that nothing can easily be removed from or smuggled in with the machines ... It truly makes for a fascinating machine that I am so happy to be able to have in my collection! I had in fact been wanting one for quite a while, so I was so excited when Jase presented this to me ... He says it's a romantic typewriter since he can imagine a few love letters (at least) must have been composed with this very machine :)

*I apologize for the awkward sizing of the fonts and photos as I'd composed the last two entries on my iPad. Once I have access to my PC, I'll edit accordingly :)

Season's Greetings!

Hello everyone,

It's been quite a while since I have updated my blog (sorry!), and how soon the year has come and gone! It's been a most wonderful 2015, and I am much looking forward to another fantastic year ahead :) May I take the opportunity to wish all abundant blessings this festive season!

I have been enjoying the school vacation very much, and this time, we took a short trip to Hong Kong and what fun it was! When I came back, it was back to using my trusty machines to journal about the lovely trip ... 

I hope you enjoyed reading the few pages from my traveler's notebook which I had detached so that I could type on the insert :)

Hopefully, now that I've downloaded the Blogger application on my iPad, that I would be able to find the time to update the blog :) I do derive much fun and typewriters are still my 'main' passion and hobby! It's become more challenging to find a machine with a typeface I don't yet own but it's the search and 'hunt' that makes an acquisition all the more exciting too!

Warmest regards,

Claudia 

SENSATIONAL Selectric & Interchangeable Types

Hi everyone,

I hope that you've had a most lovely start to the week! It's the September school holidays this week, and what better way to spend a relaxing evening than to update my blog, yippee! B

As promised, I would be sharing more about a very special typewriter in m collection - insofar that its the ONLY non-manual machine in the whole of my modest collection! 

*I apologise in advance that I've mostly relied on photos of typecasts which I'd done up almost 3 years ago, and that they are riddled with errors (some which I've only just spotted!) here and that :)

Introducing my...

IBM Correcting Selectric II

Think I might have gone overboard with the stickers!

I think that it probably doesn't come as a surprise that the main reason I acquired one was the ability to switch out the adorable little 'golfballs' for different typefaces! What a variety that are available :) I am also completely fascinated by now that little type element tilts, spins and bounces off the paper at incredible speeds!

I remember the eager anticipation as I awaited for my first (yes, there was to be more!) set of elements to arrive...

A nice little set to begin with!

I soon started to try out each 'golfball' I could get my hands on... The machines types so beautifully with the little hum of the motor...

These were several typecasts I did up when I got my machine, which must have been around 2 years ago or so! (Apologies that they are in random order.)

One of my first typecast on this behemoth of a machine! :)

Calligraphy type element

Headline type element - this one's pretty neat!

Olde English type element

Olde World type element

Sunshine Script - I LOVE this type element very much!

The Oriental type element took me the longest to find -
it is such an intriguing typeface for sure! 

Golfball Condominium!

Other Interchangeable Types... [Smith Corona]

Wow, cool!

Mathematical symbols...

Nice little collection!

Typecast from a few years' back - complete with  corrections using white-out!

I hope you found this post enjoyable! :)

Thanks for reading and do have a wonderful week!

Warmest regards,

Claudia 

#DigitalDetox

Lovely mocha Royal Quiet De Luxe with the unique Double Gothic Italics typeface!

Hello everyone,

I hope that you've had a most wonderful start to the week (it's Monday evening here in Singapore now) and that the weekend had been both restful and rejuvenating!

It seems like I am updating my blog less frequently than I wish I did, but I am certainly still putting my typewriters to good use, and constantly on the "hunt" for machines with unique typefaces to add to my collection!

It is just that Term 3 (July-September) of the school year is always the most hectic, and I am usually spending most of the 'free time' I have completing stacks of marking or planning for my lessons :) It is the final week of the school term, and with most of my work done (phew!), I decided that it was time to blog down recent finds and happenings!

New, Colourful Acquisition!

The colourful keys add an almost whimsical flair to the machine!

Candies for keys? ;)

I absolutely adore this new addition to my tappy family - the Corona Standard with colour-coded keys! It truly is such a beautiful machine to look at and type with. I intend to display my Corona with animal keys alongside this baby!

Spotted (and Studied)!

Olivetti Lettera 32 with Vertical Script typeface

This machine belongs to a friend, and I was very excited to have come across it. I also saved some typed samples when I realised that its typeface is a different variant to my Underwood Champion! In particular, the uppercase 'T' and 'I' stood out... I compared the typefaces side-by-side, and what fun I had playing 'Typography Detective'... Fun!

L32 & UC's Vertical Script Typefaces

L32's 'I' versus UC's 'T' - Similarity Spotted!

UC's 'I' - Pretty with a Flourish!

Another Vertical Script Machine - Old Dame ;)

Royal Model 10 with Glass Panels

Uppercase for Serious Business,
Lowercase for a Personal Touch?

When I first laid eyes on this antique beauty, I knew I had to have it shipped to me from the US. It is not often (at all) that I see the script typeface on older machines, mostly on later models with plastic bodies and keys... This was an exciting find for me indeed! I have had this old dame for a while, but I thought to shine some spotlight on her since we were on the topic of Vertical Script variants :)

Singapore Night Festival (2015)

Over two weekends in August, the heart of Singapore's arts and heritage district (where our main museums are located) features a nocturnal extravaganza with spectacular interactive performances, free museum entries, dance, music and installation artworks. The even starts at around 7pm, and lasts to around 2am! The streets are abuzz, and I really enjoy the lively atmosphere!

Jase and I look forward to the festival each year, and this year was no exception ... In fact, there was added reason to be even more thrilled than usual ...

TYPEWRITERS! They were being featured as part of an interactive 'performance', and I was so absorbed ... I did wish I could don on a jumpsuit and join them ... Clack, clack, clack, ding!

Sheer Focus!

Poetry on Demand!

We spent a couple of lovely hours walking the busy streets and visiting the Peranakan Museum and Philatelic Museum this year!

Current Read ...

Typed out a quote that struck me, and am using it
as a bookmark. After I've completed the book, I'll
keep the tag in my folder for keepsake :)

Next Mini Project ... 

For quite a while now, I have been putting more typewriters than I would like in their cases and stashed away! Ooops! It is truly time that I 'take proper inventory' of my (humble) collection and display them as they should - beautifully! 

It is also always fun and I even ordered custom inserts to experiment with. I have several ring binders filled with typecasts as well as several pages dedicated to cataloging typefaces, but since I got my first Midori Traveler's Notebook, I thought it might be fun to have one that is just for my typewriter obsession!

The rectangular boxes are where I would paste a Polaroid photograph of each of my typewriters :)

And as with most things, Horlicks has decided that he wants to be part of the whole process too! But who could resist that adorable grin? 

Mummy, may I please help? Please?

Thanks for stopping by and sparing some time to read my post! Do have a joyous week ahead!

Warmest regards,

Claudia

Happy to Be Back :)

Ta-dah! The reveal of the sneak peek from more than a month ago!

 Hello everyone,

Apologies for the long hiatus! I had a most wonderful time in Tokyo during the June school vacation, and it was a much-needed break from the monotony of work days :) We returned rejuvenated (and with lighter wallets), hee hee... It was stationery heaven and I couldn't resist! I am sure I am not the only one who obsesses over these kawaii (cute in Japanese) stamps, pens, deco tapes, etc...

But sorry to have digressed! Before we left for Tokyo, I posted a sneak peek of my BEAUTIFUL Adler Mod. 7, and here it is in its full glory... I apologise for the lacklustre photo quality. This was taken from the hubby's handphone and the first photo he sent to me post-servicing :) I got all excited while I was at work and couldn't wait till I got home!

Hello, Beautiful!

I am in LOVE with the Italics typeface!

And yes, it types in gorgeous Italics script too - what's not to love (and drool over)! It is one heavy machine, but truly so gorgeous, and in such fine working condition too. It is definitely a cherished piece in my still growing collection...

Before I sign off, I just had to share a few hauls from my Tokyo trip! Too cute not to share! (They're mostly planner related since that is yet another obsession of mine.)

And as if that wasn't enough, as we were awaiting our flight back to Singapore at Narita Airport, we went to the Traveler's Factory shop where my weakness was revealed again ;p

Jase was all smiles and thumbs-up BEFORE my purchases! Hee hee... 

I LOVE stamps! 

Narita Airport Midori Traveler's Factory Haul...

I purchased my very first (Narita Airport limited edition) Midori Traveler's Notebook, but the fact that I do not quite like my own handwriting has not changed... SO, I decided that I would use my trusty typewriters to record our travel experience (as always)...

Thanks so much for sticking around, and giving me a place to ramble!

Do have a most wonderful weekend ahead & SELAMAT HARI RAYA to all our Muslim friends!

Warmest regards,

Claudia