Typewriters on Display

It has probably taken more than four years, but at long last I have put some of my typewriters back on show. There are now 200 displayed downstairs, about half my collection (give or take a hundred or so). The last time I had my typewriters properly displayed (other than at last year's Canberra Museum and Gallery exhibition) was when the Australian Typewriter Museum was at Narrabundah, as seen on the ABC TV show The Collectors in late 2008.

In the interim there have been three changes of address for the ATM, four months of disruption while 100 typewriters were on the move back and forward for the exhibition, and some major (mostly unsatisfactory) issues with shifting and storing typewriters. And during that time, I must have been asked at least a hundred times, "It's a museum, right? So can I come and see the typewriters on display?" My excuses felt increasingly lame.

"Red Corner"

Inspired by seeing the orderliness of the Herman Price and Richard Polt collections in the US in October, I vowed to put things right at home. The opportunity to finally do something about this situation came in mid-December, and I have spent the last fortnight "flat out like a lizard drinking", trying to get it all sorted out by Christmas. If you've wondered why I haven't been answering emails lately, please excuse me, but each night I've just flopped into bed too exhausted to write back to anyone. And now, as a result of all these exertions, I have suffered a recurrence of the "typewriter elbow" injury I suffered back in June while catching a flying Hammond Multiplex in the presence of John Lavery.

The bulk of the work in setting up the displays was done in time for the visit to Canberra of Scott Kernaghan and Miss Jane last weekend, when Jasper Lindell also availed of the chance to see the "work in progress". All three gave what had been done by then the "thumbs up". Since then another 100 typewriters have been added.  Having the task completed by January 1, 2014, seems to be somehow appropriate, as next Tuesday we celebrate 300 years since the first "typewriter patent".
I apologise for the quality of the photos here, as neither the outdoor nor interior lighting was good. But I think you will get the general idea. And, having gained that, anyone interested in taking a closer look is welcome to do so - by appointment (just give me 24 hours' notice). Entry is, of course, free and for no extra cost I am happy to further bore you with a talk on typewriters lasting for anything from nine to 90 minutes (depending on much you can tolerate!). In small part, this will be a "moveable feast", as I add and subtract, but in the main the selected typewriters will remain in place.

"Green Machines"

"Oranges and Lemons"

The Underwood USB typewriter is set up to demonstrate with a mini notebook.

"The Galahs" (pink and greys)

 "Little and Large"