Typewriters: Iconic Machines from the Golden Age of Mechanical Writing

This book introduced me to a world of typewriters unknown to me. As someone working in the business office of a major eastern university in the 70’s, my typewriter was an extension of my fingers. It took time and age for me to learn to appreciate the machines and their history. To find such glorious examples of 80 antique and vintage typewriters in one book, along with an education on the histories of these machines, was a thrill for me. The photos are beautifully done and allow one to appreciate the vast differences in machines from different time frames. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has a passion for these old machines. Time spent with Tony’s book is time well spent. I can’t say enough about the education awaiting anyone who really wants to know more about these, essential in their day, machines. Tony has refurbished 3 typewriters for me and I have been just delighted to put these machines in his incredibly capable hands.

This book is very interesting, while teaching the history of the typewriter. It highlights many great machines from the 20th century—some iconic, others you might not know about. A great book for any typewriter enthusiast!

Very informative and beautifully illustrated

There are other books that cover either the mainstream history of the development of typewriters or the practicalities of using one in this day and age—but Casillo's lavishly photographed and printed collection of the quirky and scarce (and therefore, to collectors, more valuable) oddities down through the years is a tour de force. (In other words, "iconic machines" in the subtitle isn't quite accurate; "unusual" would be more like it.) This book powerfully demonstrates how much diversity there was along the path of inventing what might otherwise seem to us like the "obvious" standard format typewriter. Five stars if you're a collector (or wish you could afford to be), and I bet you'll drool over every page; a hair less practical if you're a user.

Whether you collect typewriters, would like to know more about their history or just want to learn about clever and, in some cases, rather strange mechanical devices, you will find this book fascinating and informative. It covers eighty notable and ingenious machines. The diverse range of mechanisms and designs for selecting a character (keyboards weren't the only option!) as well as for making an impression of that character upon paper will be an eye-opener to those only familiar with typewriters common from the mid-1940s onwards. The book includes beautiful color photographs of typewriters ranging from elaborately decorated Victorian machines to sleek postwar designs. I couldn't put it down.

I just received the product today as per its delivery date, opened the package - and read the book thoroughly. Its archival articles, photographs and histories are truly impressive, although the hardcover's surface of numerous advertisements are fantastic! I also enjoyed the authors & foreword profiler's essays as well! Good job!!

This is a must-have book for anyone who enjoys technological imagination and innovation. The book has as its core photographs of one of the most important collections of typewriters in the world and includes discussion by the creator of of it who is a pioneer of the understanding of the historical and technological importance of typewriters. His knowledge and excitementabout his subject make the book immense fun to read and to even just select a page or two sitting after sitting to enjoy. The fine photographs are fascinating and will often delight the reader with forms of writing machines they never imagined existed.

Whether you are a collector or remember those days when you typed papers in college or used a typewriter in an office to type out important documents and correspondence with customers and coworkers you will enjoy this nostalgic and historical trip chronicling the history of this Iconic Machine, the Typewriter! This book is by far the best book I have purchased or read on the the history of typewriters. Today, typewriters are sought after by collectors and nostalgic customers world wide. These machines are a part of both our past and our history. This book is a must have if you have any interest in learning about the progression and advent of the manual typewriter. The pictures in this book are large, clear and in color and show all the intimate details of all these machines. The text in this book is in an amazing font that looks just like it was done with a typewriter. You will be proud to have this outstanding book as part of your collection and on your coffee table! Enjoy!

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This is an absolutely fantastic coffee table book. A short history of typewriters followed by a page of description and a full page photo of every machine. I am very happy with this book, will be a great gift.

This is a beautifully produced coffee table book. It features wonderful photographs of typewriters from the author's collection accompanied by interesting information on each model and the company that produced it. As many of the machines are from the early evolution of the typewriter, the book provides an interesting history as well. Anyone who is interested in or collects typewriters should have this book.

Unreadable mess with way too many typos (or, more likely, OCR errors).

Great book for a typewriter collector or amateur typist.