Blowback
Weekend before last the local paper ran a nice half-page collectibles feature on typewriters. I and some of my typers had prominent spots in the piece, which is neither here nor there.
Now I see that there has been a definite shift in attitude at my favorite thrift store, the one that until now had been my best supplier of serendipitous finds. The price of a blasé Sears electric from the ’80s has inflated by 3 times, and a late ‘6os Remington Streamliner which once would have been $4 or $5 now has been given a spot in the glass display case up front and slapped with a $25 tag. It’s pretty, but it ain’t all that.
I can’t help but wonder if someone there didn’t see the article and decided that they were underpricing their typers. The typewriter evangelist part of me wants to spread the word of clattery goodness, but the selfish, cheapskate collector part of me wants to keep their desirability a closely-guarded secret.
I’m trying to decide if it’s worse to have educated sellers (“$25 for a Streamliner”) or under-educated ones (“$250 for my rust-bucket Underwood 5″)
Considering the lovely machine(s) you’ve glommed at flea markets, though, I’m not sure I can accept your sour grapes.
Comment by mpclemens — March 18, 2010 @ 11:35 am
True, I probably have stumbled upon more than my fair share of ridiculous bargains. That doesn’t change the fact that I am an inveterate cheapskate.
Comment by olivander — March 23, 2010 @ 7:35 am
What really chaps my hide are those sites (Etsy sellers come to mind) that try to hawk utterly conventional 60’s era portables for hundreds of dollars.
Comment by Strikethru — March 24, 2010 @ 11:40 pm
Ha! I think the same thing every time I go to my favorite thrift store – the only one I’ve found more than one typer – and purchase a machine. I wonder if my purchasing that machine sends some type of signal that will increase the price of the *next* machine to come through.
Like, for instance, there’s a busted, rusted, non-functioning Selectric II for $20 or something right now. Silly. It’s a big, steel planter.
Comment by duffymoon — March 26, 2010 @ 4:22 pm