I’ve got a bit of a Typewriter obsession. It all started years ago when I was around 10 and we had a very old Underwood (possibly a Model 6) typewriter. I used to write all sorts of ramblings on it, including plays (usually involving a murder mystery!)
I bought this lovely little Silver-Reed Silverette 7 years ago. I searched Cardiff for a typewriter and found this in a shop in Roath (no longer there). It is in lovely condition and works perfectly, I paid £10 for it. It has its own little case as well. I was quite surprised to find how easy it was to get ribbons for it – EC Osborne’s have them. I had a particular piece of work that I wanted original typewriter text for.
Seeing this old Argos Catalogue on Retrofinds was great and has helped me date my typewriter to 1976.
10 comments
I thought I was alone in my attraction to old typewriters! for my 11th birthday my parents gave me a 'brother' manual typewriter (that makes it almost the same age as your beauty… I have it, and use it, and love it still today…
Aahh! Only 11. I never owned a typewriter as a child, and only realised I was obsessed with them when my boyfriend pointed it out.
So here is one of the presents I got for my birthday this year.
http://www.amazon.com/Typewriter-Illustrated-HIstory-Pictorial-Archive/dp/0486412377
If you like old Typewriters you'll love this book.
I have a Silver-Reed Silverette Typewriter that I just found in my attic It is still in perfect order except for a dry ribbon, Should I sell it on ??
You can still get ribbons for this model so it depends. You won't get much more than £15 for the typewriter – at least that's the most I've seen them go for an e-bay. I'm probably the wrong person to ask. I wouldn't sell it 🙂
I had one of these from tthe early to late '80s (ooh the horror stories I could tell about manul typewriters…) but now I use Microsoft Windows.
Hello. I'm writing from Argentina. I'm not sure you can help me and it's rare for me look for help in the internet, with people who speaks in english (excuse me for my use of language). I'm 17 and the other day I found an typewriter in mi house. It is the same of the image, a Silverette Silver-Reed. I love writing and i'wanna use it but it doesn't works. I have to change de ribbon, but i don't know how to do it. Can you please help me? Thanks you and greetings from South América.
Hello Noé. I have added an extra photograph to show how the ribbon goes on. I didn't know how to put it on but just kept trying until the ribbon spool moved when I typed. If the spool doesn't move when you type the ribbon is on wrong.
You can get the ribbon on Ebay. The picture in the link below looks like the ribbon I have on my typewriter.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEIKO-SILVER-REED-SILVERETTE-SPOOL-TYPEWRITER-RIBBON-/400158535297?pt=Printer_Accessories&hash=item5d2b4eae81
I hope this helps. Any other questions let me know 🙂
Amazing what you find in blogland these days. I have the same typewriter and use it alot in my crafting and was surfing around to find new ribbons for it and came across your page. I used to have Twinkle too but progressed to Debbie, aww the memories. Thanks BJ
Thanks BJ. I never progressed to Debbie. I think my choice was dictated by my older sister – the next one I remember is Jackie! Hope you found your ribbons.
Greetings from Istanbul :] Happy I found this blog post as I was searching for more information on Silver Reed. I'd like to buy either Silver Reed Silverette or Olympia Traveller de Luxe. I'd appreciate your feedback if you also had a chance to try the latter one as well. Thanks, Cansu