Saturday, June 24th marks Landmark Books fourth annual Type-In. The event draws typing enthusiasts from all over the area and the state. People are encouraged to unplug from their devices and join the typosphere. It’s free to the public and family friendly. We encourage you to bring your own machines, and we’ll supply the paper and table space-let the fun ensue. It’s a simple equation that has become one of our most popular events of the year.
The idea came from a flyer from an event held out in San Francisco at a local coffee house. It sounded like a great way to get people into another throwback technology, similar to the vinyl craze we are experiencing. And as a writer myself I had an interest in the machines. For years I had moved five or six portable typewriters from apartment to apartment. My wife thought it was a crazy idea, but just crazy enough to work. I set a date, sent out press releases and it became the first successful event Landmark Books hosted in its first year in business.
The first Type-In drew nearly twenty-five machines, more than I had anticipated and it garnered a lot of positive feedback. The following year’s events have continued the trend and this year we are shooting for fifty typewriters or more. There will be typing machines from England, Spain, Japan, Switzerland, Germany and the United States dating from the turn of the century to the mid 70’s.
Though most companies stopped making manual typewriters in the 80’s, because of the interest two companies have once again begun producing them. These new machines are more plastic novelty than nostalgic well made devices, so if you are interested we will have several models for sale if you want to take one home.
For those who want to display or sell, space is free, we just ask that you handle that on your own. I have three reams of paper and six tables waiting for tomorrow at noon when the typing will commence. Hope to see you there!