Black & Gold

The Call of the Corona

I had a Corona that had been calling out to me since the fall, a 1940 Corona Sterling three-stripe Speedliner.  I really loved how the Corona decal shone from the black crinkle paint ribbon cover.  But this machine had a fatal flaw, rust that had struck the segment, springs and levers on the 7, J and N keys.  Everything else was fine and I thought I could repair it, but I ended up breaking the linkage on the N key.  I set it aside and let my frustration subside- oh if I had been more patient and had learned about Evapo-Rust sooner.  My Corona sat in a back room calling out to me.  Every time I saw that beautiful ribbon cover I  promised myself I would put it to good use.  I started keeping an eye out for a "parts machine" that could use a new ribbon cover and then I found a 1947 Silent Speedliner that was selling on the cheap because it's ribbon cover had splotches of white-out on it and one corner had some discoloration.  When this new machine arrived I was pleased to find that it was a Pica machine that was in great condition with the exception of the minor cosmetic flaws on its ribbon cover.  No worries, I had a beautiful Corona ribbon cover that was calling out to me!

The rusty fatal flaw!

Not really all that bad!

I can see the Corona 4 heritage with the cover off

Transplant Successful!

A Tan Speedliner

Labor Day Corona

Labor Day, a day to celebrate the worker and the end of summer- and yard sales!  I live near the college town of Northfield, VT which puts on a great Labor Day celebration.  I figured a college town would have to have typewriters at it's sales, and I was right!  After checking four or five tag and yard sales, I followed a sign for a barn sale and came across a woman who was clearing out some things from her parent's old barn.  One of those things was this mint condition Corona Four Bank from the 1920's.  I figure around 1924-27 with the serial # V1A08498.  I couldn't believe the price....$15   Yup, I didn't leave any zeros off, fifteen dollars.  What a way to celebrate labor day!

Not a typewriter, but check out this little rail car that the
fire department uses on the tracks that pass the station!

Zephyr by the Lake

I had great typewriter fortune today.  I found a 1941 Corona Zephyr Deluxe on Craigslist and drove up to the Lake Champlain islands to pick it up.  It was owned by a nice woman who was selling her lake house and clearing out some items.  This Zephyr is in great shape.  A lot of the keys were stuck, but I was pretty sure that was due to disuse. I was right and a little bit of cleaning and a light lube got the keys working again.  I will be posting more about this typewriter soon and will certainly be bringing it to the Type-In. Until then, I will be typing by the lake!

Corona Sterling Streamlined

It's a good idea to let your friends know that you are collecting typewriters.  This is how I found the newest addition to my collection, a 1938 Corona Sterling Streamlined.  I have coveted these machines since I first saw them on some other blogs in the typosphere. This 1938 Corona is the predecessor of my 1950's Silent-Super.  Once you have a great design you stick with it.  My 1938 actually cleaned up easier than the two Super 5's that I have restored with just a little dusting off.  This little machine types great and looks cool with its jet black finish.  

I am really struck by how different this Corona is from Remington 5 Streamline that I gave my daughter as they are both built in 1938.  The biggest difference is the floating shift of the Corona with the type bars moving up and down vs. the carriage shift of the Remington with the whole carriage moving up and down.  But it is more than that.  The Corona feels more evolved from the ribbon spools to the carriage return.  I know I am going to enjoy typing on this "new" machine.