Occasionally I’ll want to do some writing and share it with the world, but it’s not exactly fitting for this blog. After all, I do think about things other than typewriters from time to time. The thought of creating another blog has crossed my mind, but that’s not really necessary thanks to One Typed Page, the brainchild of Daniel Marleau. Just as the name suggests, One Typed Page (OTP) allows anyone to submit an image of their typed output to be published on the site. In my opinion, OTP stands out like a beacon shining upon the vast waters of the Typosphere.
By providing a platform that takes care of the web publishing side of things, OTP serves as a great equalizer in the world of typecasting. Just crank out some copy with your typewriter as you see fit, take a picture of it with your smartphone, and submit that picture to One Typed Page for inclusion on the website for any and all with access to the web to view. Details for submission can be found over on OTP. I love that you never know what you might find on One Typed Page from one day to the next, and to me that is one of the other truly great things about the site.
But what of Daniel Marleau? It shouldn’t come as a surprise that he’s a typewriter enthusiast. As an author, Daniel uses typewriters as a part of his writing process (not everyone who is into typewriters actually does much in the way of writing with them). In addition, he also maintains the website Typewriter Review where various typewriters are evaluated from a writer’s perspective, which tends to view things differently than the perspective of a collector for example. Understanding that the above takes up a lot of his time on a daily basis, I was very thankful when Daniel agreed to participate in A Typer’s Dozen. Much appreciated Daniel!
Q: How many years have you been a typewriter enthusiast/collector, and how many typewriters would you estimate that have you owned in total over this time, including those machines that you’ve sold, loaned out or given away to others?
A: When I look back on the ten years or so that I’ve been using and promoting typewriters, I’d say close to a hundred machines have passed through my hands. I’m not much of a collector. While I love the look and feel of different typewriters, having too many around is a distraction. The ones that remain in my collection are an Olivetti Lettera 32, a 1947 Smith Corona Sterling, an Erika 5, a 1936 Royal portable and a Groma Modell N. Though I’m tempted to keep this fabulous Hermes 3000 that I just reviewed. I wanted to keep my collection at five, so perhaps one might have to go. But they’re all so nice!
Q: What was your first typewriter and how did you end up with it?
A: A Smith Corona Galaxie 12. Don’t know what the impulse was but thought it might be a grand idea to get a typewriter. Hadn’t done any online research. Didn’t even know typewriters were a thing. I checked Craigslist and bingo, there was one listed for $50. I messaged the guy and he gave me his address. I know, it’s Craigslist, we should’ve met in the middle. But Madison (Wisconsin) is a pretty tame place and figured a typewriter seller must be an upright citizen. But just to make sure, I checked Google street view. Looked like an abandoned brick two story. The ground floor was a store front with papered windows and above looked like apartments. I told my wife where I was going and if she didn’t hear back in an hour to call the cops. (Smile) When I pulled up, I should’ve figured this area of the east side was newly gentrified. The bottom abandoned store was now a yoga studio. The seller lived in the rehabbed apartment above. He buzzed me in and turned out to be a young guy in his twenties who wanted to feel like those “old time writers.” But after a few hard fought battles, he gave up on the experience. I handed him the cash and took my prize.
Q: Out of all the typewriters that have passed through your hands over the years, is there a particular typewriter that you wish you could have back?
A: An Underwood Champion with the case that doubled as a typewriter table. The Champion was a good typewriter, but it was the integrated case with telescoping legs that made it field ready. Super rare.
Q: Which typewriter took the most time and/or effort for you to obtain?
A: I’d always been fond of the dream of finding a new, unopened box with a fresh typewriter. Like I’d just bought it. The 1936 Royal portable I own comes close, since it’s fully restored. It must feel like new. But it’s not. I finally found a new typewriter on eBay. A 1960s Erika CBM model 42. Still had the styrofoam inserts. I bought it, but then got scared to use it. It still sits in its pristine form. Untouched. I finally put it up for sale in my Etsy shop. I’m going to let the dream live on. I just can’t justify keeping another around.
Q: Would you say that you’ve spent more time working on typewriters or typing with them?
A: I’m not much of a mechanic. All thumbs. I tried a few times and they were dismal failures.
Q: What single development stands out to you for having the most positive impact on yourself as a typewriter enthusiast/collector?
A: The internet! I wouldn’t be doing this otherwise. Would any of us? It’s given birth to Typewriter Review and most recently, One Typed Page. Connecting people with typewriters. I really enjoy the shared community we’ve fostered online.
Q: What one piece of advice would you give to those who are just getting started with typewriters?
A: I make the pitch to writers that a typewriter is a tool. Get the one and stick with it. Don’t keep chasing the elusive typewriter that’ll satisfy your soul. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have typewriter shops around where we can take a few for a test drive. What happens is we end up buying a few online and that’s when the collecting begins. That was part of the impetus for starting Typewriter Review and developing the Top Ten list. Take some of the guesswork out. But if you’re like me, you’ve got one that works for writing (Lettera 32) and maybe a couple (or more!) for their kicks. You got the room, some nice shelves. Sure, why not? In the end, I like the advice from the Japanese de-clutter guru, Marie Kondo, if the typewriter doesn’t bring joy, sell it, gift it, whatever, move it on.
Q: What are all of the uses have you’ve found for your typewriters (be it correspondence, writing books, typecasting, etc.) and which one of those would you say has consumed the most of your “typing time”?
A: I write a lot of stuff for myself. Might be considered journaling. It never sees the light of day. This past year, more pages have gone to One Typed Page. I’ve done lots of fiction drafting that ends up on the computer.
Q: If you could modify a movie, TV show, or a song from the past to include a typewriter in some way, what would your choice be and how would you involve the typewriter?
A: Can’t think of any! Though I try to watch any movie that involves a typewriter. One of my favorites is a French film, Populaire (2013). Romantic comedy about a young woman in the 1950s who discovers she has an incredible talent for speed typing.
Q: What other things in life do you enjoy besides typewriters?
A: One of my more suspect enjoyments is mini-golf. Every year there’s a tournament at the Red Putter in Door County, Wisconsin — a big resort area. I’ve qualified four times in the twenty years we’ve been going, but never competed. (It’s not easy!) The tourney is in August, and we’re usually out west on vacation. The one year we’re confined in state, they cancelled the tournament due to Covid. My dream is to win the Red Jacket! My golfing buddies just laugh. While I love typewriters, writing & reading, I try to get outside as much as I can. Hike, paddle, ski. We purchased a small teardrop camper trailer this past year and love it. Paddled and camped along the Apostle Islands, Lake Superior, Wisconsin. I brought my Lettera 32, but never used it! However, the cell signal was good enough that I was able to keep publishing One Typed Page. The pages must go on! We’re rapidly approaching 350 consecutive days.
Q: What one question do you wish someone would ask you about typewriters or typewriting that you haven’t been asked thus far (and how would you answer that question)?
A: There’s not much to ask. If you like writing, get one. The rewards are there.
I enjoy these interviews with various Typospherians. It sheds a bit of light into their life in other than just typewriters and blog posts.
Thanks Bill. My hope when creating this series was that it would provide us all with a bit of insight into the various individual personalities within the typewriter community. Your comment serves as an acknowledgement that this is coming through in the end result.
Yes, I am learning new things from these interviews and getting some nice context about the people I know little about. Keep it up! (:
Thanks Ted! The fact that those of you who have taken the time to participate are also enjoying A Typer’s Dozen really says a lot.