Show us your Thrift and/or yard sale finds

[LizzieMaine]

That's how it should work -- press shift-lock, and it holds both keys down and the carriage in the upper-case position. Press shift down beyond the point where it's locked, and it should release.

There should be a small nub on the Shift key bar that engages the Shift-Lock hook -- you can't really see it from the outside, but it's there -- unless it's worn down on yours enough to slip off before it catches. Or there might be some fuzz or crud in the little hook that's keeping it from sliding into position. Maybe try taking a toothpick or a fine-pointed pin and scrape around a little in there and see if you can dislodge anything. Moisten the toothpick with alcohol to act as a solvent if there's old grease in there.

 

[Shangas]

Thanks for the advice, Lizzie, I shall investigate and report back with findings.

 

[DeaconKC]

Congrats on finding your typewriter! How was the trip and wedding?

 

[Shangas]

The trip was...um...eventful, shall we say. The wedding was alright, but I couldn't wait to leave. I hate having to attend events where I don't know anyone at all. I feel like an idiot. Otherwise, it was fine.

 

[Young fogey]

My Eversharp Reporter ballpoint pen

I have it in my shirt pocket every day.

 

[Shangas]

I bought myself a bright red briefcase at the thrift-shop today for just $4. It's a bit battered, but I really like it. It came complete with the keys.

 

[Young fogey]

Art-deco waterfall-top desk.

 

[Shangas]

That looks cool! But I'd be terrified that all my fountain pens would roll off it!

 

[Giftmacher]

Anyone else collecting old soaps? These are from 70s/80s.

 

[jamespowers]

The next door neighbor was giving away leftover stuff from his garage sale the previous day. Being the first one there, I got the pick of the litter---free. A Mix Master from the 50s. Some glassware from the same era,a few boxes of REAL lightbulbs, miterbox, some various hardware items, a large fan etc. I took all I could carry---then sent my wife over.

 

[Giftmacher]

Lucky you! Some stupid people here are throwing leftover stuff to the dump, regardless of the value..

 

[jamespowers]

Lucky you! Some stupid people here are throwing leftover stuff to the dump, regardless of the value..

It was indeed. I was looking at Craigslist for free stuff and found it twenty feet away.

 

[Giftmacher]

As I said..

 

[Stearmen]

Anyone else collecting old soaps? These are from 70s/80s.

I don't collect soap, but I did stumble across this the other day while digging through my stuff. It was a gift from my sister for Christmas back in the 70s, before most people had even heard of Lamborghini, and could not tell the difference between a Countach or a 512!

 

[Giftmacher]

Wow, that's even better!

 

[AtomicEraTom]

Apologize for the crummy photo for this one. I put it in the garage at my parents' house, since it picked up our favorite station real well.

Two of my favorites from the era: Andy Williams and Lawrence Welk.

 

[Gin&Tonics]

My latest purchase!:
The Shift-Lock key doesn't work, but otherwise, it's mechanically perfect and ready for action. It's a 1920s Underwood Standard Portable typewriter

I suspect it needs a new ribbon, or something. But otherwise, it's fine. I shall post a typing-sample in the fullness of time.

EDIT - Figured out what the ribbon-problem was! The guy who sold me the typewriter accidentally installed it the wrong way around! Since rectified and typing wonderfully!!

Congrats, Shangas! She's a real beauty, that one! I know you've been wanting one for ages, so it must be nice to finally have it. Did you take my advice about doing a blog post on it and scanning the result?

 

[Shangas]

I have done a blog-post about it, but I haven't done a "typecast" on it.

For those not in the know, typecasting is the process of typing up a blog-posting, scanning it, and uploading it to one's blog.

In more recent news, I bought a pair of theatre-glasses. They're quite powerful, very handsome, and covered in (probably fake) Mother-of-Pearl or some other similar material. They have a nickel-looking finish on them. If anyone knows how to determine real M.o.P from fake, reliably, let me know.

I just finished pulling them all apart. I cleaned the lenses and blew out the dust. Then I put a couple of drops of oil inside them, to oil the focusing mechanism. It was QUITE STIFF!! It's now sliding in and out smoothly.

Here are the glasses. The first set of photos is with the glasses in their compact state:

And they look like this, when they're extended for use:

A couple of dents on the lens-edges, but otherwise, in good condition as you can see.

I don't know how old they are, or who made them. They're not marked, or dated in any way. But I think they're just stunning!

Next time I go to the theater, I shall take them with me!

--- --- --- ---

They cost me just $20.

 

[Shangas]

About two months ago, I purchased a Singer 128 hand-crank machine at a market in London...

That's what it looked like when I got it back to the hotel in the West End. All grummy and grimy and dirty, with bits missing and...yeah.

It JUST arrived back home in Australia! I've cleaned it, oiled it, and I replaced the missing plate at the front of the machine. It now looks like this:

The replacement slide-plate is NOT a SINGER ORIGINAL, as you'll notice, but it fits the slot, so I'm happy!

This beauty is from 1936

 

[Giftmacher]

Nice one! We have quite similar Singer too