Yost 15 (Part I). Passion to words connecting people.
My fascination for mechanical machines led me to yet another typewriter: Yost.
In this case it is Yost 15 which looks like any other standard typewriter of 20-30’s but has unique to Yost front striking action.
One step closer to my dream machine, the Williams typewriter.
As happens quite often in this hobby, the machine became just a cause to meet very interesting people!
It was listed in Mora and personal pickup was desired. Well, 4,5 hours drive one way from where I live. I was not sure if I wanna drive that long until I called the owner and we talked. After a few minutes of phone conversation I was convinced that, regardless of condition of the machine I want to meet the owner!
Monica is a professional bookbinder : person who “builds” books, in layman terms.
In the world of online printing houses like Blurb and Lulu if you want to have a beautiful and custom made book - you turn to a bookbinder. Nothing can substitute an artist and craftsman for the very special book you plan to make.
Not only that, she is also an artist and educator. And for me - it was thrilling to get to meet such person and have possibility of a few hours conversation and exchange of experience. And to buy a few typewriters, by the way!
Getting to see her workshop was a joy!
Old, classic, robust tools for a serious job.
It was like a workshop for me. We were exchanging experience in our passions and my eyes were opening wider and wider. Go and check yourself, you can reach Monica through her webpage: www.langwe.se
I took my Blick no.5 with me, to show my custom-made typing elements. As a professional in book printing crafts Monica was interested in Blick as a machine which uses direct inking technique - just like a book press.
I’m glad I took it with me - at least I could show something interesting too!
To my regret I could not stay longer - I had still another 4,5 hours to drive back home and I also got a tip from Monica to visit Rosenlöfs Tryckerimuseum which is close to Gävle.
The museum is normally not open during weekends (out of the season) but I called them and they were eager to meet me and to open it for me on Saturday!
On my way, quite unexpectedly, I got a message from Grim. We’ve never met before but we had contact through typewriter enthusiasts group and I bought a few machines from him before, among others my first Oliver. It struck me that I am, in fact, very close to him!
Bamm! Change of plans!
I called the museum that I will not make it that day (I would not manage anyway, one should reserve at least a few hours to fully anticipate what is there!) and headed to Rättvik, to meet Grim for the first time in “real”.
Grim is a typewriter collector, repairman and writer. We started in his workshop which, compared to mine, is nice and neat!
Talking typewriters, tools and stories we moved on to his writing room where most of the collection is displayed. This is also where he works on his books.
Now that I call a proper working room!
I got to see some crown jewels, too.
He even has Bennet, with Swedish typeface!
Thanks to this beautiful Oliver I got a chance to take my Oliver 5 from his hands!
My eyes fell out when I saw Blickencderfer 7 with Swedish scientific keyboard!
I’m gonna make a custom type wheel with runic alphabet for this machine.
I forgot to photograph other machines as we talked but it was my “Hermans” on Swedish soil that day, indeed.
The day was beautiful, cold and sunny. The weather stood up to the challenge.
With regret I left Rättvik and its magnificent view over Siljan lake at dusk.