Fremantle, Western Australia, (Freo) is a bustling port. Not surprisingly there are a lot of container ships and a lot of containers …
Containers everywhere you look …
However, on this visit I was interested in one container in particular …
It’s a container that is owned, or possibly rented, by an antique dealer, Paul.
On his frequent trips to Europe, Paul returns with antiques and typewriters (most of which are German) …
… some in working condition, some not, some free-standing, some attached to bases, some perched precariously on bar stools (more about that one later), and nearly all without cases or lids …
… take for example this Grundig-labelled Triumph Tippa S ($50) …
Serial number 4851479 = 1968
Despite being heavier and larger than my 1961 Adler Tippa, the ‘68 Tippa-S feels less substantial, has more rattle, and lacks the sharp rat-a-tat-tat of its predecessor. I’m starting to wonder why I bought it.
Curiosity I suppose. I’ve seen plenty of Adler Tippa S typewriters, but not so many Triumph ones. Interestingly Retro Tech Geneva describes a basket-shifted one. Mine has a carriage shift.
I like the typeface a lot …
But sad to say this is a very average portable typewriter.
Not in the same league as my 1961 Adler Tippa …
… and not even in the same universe as a Gossen Tippa …
I feel no remorse about buying this one ($40 – a price reduction due to a bent and detached paper bail).
It’s in reasonably good condition, but needs some TLC.
Gull wings and metal Pelikan spools add to the allure …
Unfortunately, it’s missing its lid, which is a shame because I like the quality of the base a lot.
I’m willing to believe that this is the best ultra-flat portable typewriter you can buy.
Serial No 111749 = 1954
I couldn’t help myself and ended up buying a further 6 German typewriters (7 if you count the typewriter I bought twice – but more about that in my next post).
Stay tuned and I’ll slowly but surely introduce you to my burgeoning Germanic tribe. 😉
A good place to sit and wait for a bus, or the next container ship!
E.T.ZONE 
Ah! You’ve got the Tippa love. These are great machines. I love my Tippas, and I think they are very under-rated by much of the typosphere. The later Tippa S is a bit of a disaster, but I love every version prior to that.
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I called Interpol, but they said their Typewriter Trafficking Division closed down in 1969. Sorry, I did try … 😀
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Yes Richard, I’m afraid typewriters are unceremoniously stacked on top of each other.
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Please send the guy over to Hamburg next time he is in Germany.
He can pick up a typewriter, or two. Or fifteen.
For free.
He will get coffee and cake.
For free.
(I was forced to write this by my wife. If you read this, please call …)
Yes, honey. I am coming…!
(If you read this, please call the …)
I’m coooooming, my dear …!
(This is no joke! Please, call the …)
No, of course not, Honey. I finished writing to the [censored] Typewriterpages long time ago, my dear. I’ll be with you in just a second …!
(Guys, no joke!!! My wife … the typewriters …)
No, honey, it’s not what it looks like. Honestly. I can explain it …!
Powerbutton? What do you mean, powerbutton?
I think you mean this one over t
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I certainly enjoyed using my Gossen Tippa recently. The carriage return is ultra-smooth.
Surely he doesn’t just plop the typewriters in the container as pictured, right? They are cradled in nice boxes, or something? Anyway, I wish I had such a friend!
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What a beautiful find! That machine is paper thin, and I thought my S-C Skyriter was small. I look forward to seeing more of your machines.
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As far as I know he’s not online. At the moment he’s overseas. I will ask. 🙂
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Does Paul have a homepage? Or an E-Mail-adress? I feel a story for my blog evolving. 😀
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