Obsolete Or Not?

[phi1l]

Because there were a zillion of them made, typewriters and sewing machines hold no value at all.

whooaaaa there Singer Featherweights from the 50s continue to increase in value. tey are highly coveted by the quilting set.

[thestinker]

Mom still has her IBM Selectric. I would keep it, but thats just me. I remember learning to type on it, and mom did all of dads business on that machine. Sounds stupid, but it has some sentimental value to me.

[leehljp]

Old things I have found that are worth the money: I saw an old pedestal two part porcelain sink base/stand and rectangular sink in the back yard of an old house back in the early '70s. Bought for the high price of $5.00. I kept it for 10 years and sold it for $50.00 to someone who knew I had it, and they wanted it.

In the mid '60s, behind a store, in an alley in my home town, I spotted an old ball and claw rocking chair with the seat fabric all but rotted out. They also had a wood framed, glass front, side, back and top display case that was about 28" front to back 32" tall and 40" wide with a granite base. These two had obviously been sitting out in the weather for some months. I asked the owner of the store, if I could have them but he had to have some money. I gave him $5.00.

In couple of years, I cleaned up the display case and sold it for $75 to an antique dealer. No telling what he sold it for. The chair, In 1980, my parents had it refurbished as a present to me. Its value: I was offered $1500.00 by two people in my home town 15 years ago. I never sold it. Part of the family!

You never know.

[cwithboat]

After my 1960 freshman year at Jr. College I worked a summer for IBM in D.C.. My job was visiting government offices to clean typewriters. Lots of cute young secretaries. To perform the job I had to have a suit (IBM blue). Given my finances I bought one of the new polyester suits. It fell apart at the end of the summer due to the solvent used on the selectrics. At the start of each work day a group meeting was held with indoctrination. At the end of the summer I was offered a full scholarship by IBM. Remembering the rah-rah meetings, I turned it down. One of those turning points.

[bigstick509]

Having worked for a small family owned office supply company for the last decade I can tell you that IBM Selectric machines may be obsolete but there is a great demand for repair. We had a full time tech that just repaired typewriters, a niche market but very profitable.

[eezlock]

obsolete or not?

Cabinetman, I have a typewriter in my office on another table close to the desk.
You know I use it for? To type the address on invoice envelopes that I mail out.All other correspondence is done on the computer.

[DustyandLefty]

ribbons?

I quite using my 1972 Smith Corona about 10 years ago when ribbons got too hard to find. I'm sure you could still get them, but you might want to stock up now and keep them sealed up so they don't dry out if you decide to hang on to your typewriters.

Same thing with record player needles -- a new needle got to be as expensive as a yard-sale record player.

Your call! I'm not one to talk, as I seem to be collecting old $5 no-name hammers and pliers, none of which are worth anything; along with cans of unsorted screws and nails.
Dusty and Lefty

[woodturner]

LOML wants me to get rid of two IBM Selectric typewriters. She says nobody uses them anymore and they have no value.

Correcting Selectric typewriters are in high demand for certain applications. I had an old one I sold to the repair guy for $1,000. Not sure if that's "no value" in my book, but it was enough to buy some more tools :-)

Would have been worth more if it was working. The repair guy told me they are used in certain applications where non-impact computer printers won't work. Apparently daisy wheel computer printers are getting harder to find also. Maybe I should sell him my old printer, too.