Friday, February 16, 2018

Look What I Won !!!

Hi Friends, I can't wait to tell you what I won!

Something that sure brought back a lot of memories. 
Remember when we typed on manual typewriters, forcefully striking the keys, untangling them 
when two keys got stuck together, returning the carriage when the little bell dinged, 
and starting over when we made a mistake?

Computers have certainly made typing a lot easier but you just can't beat 
the old vintage typewriters for charm.

Yep, I ended up with a real beauty and here's the whole story of how I won it.


At a recent vintage market in Colorado Springs, 
I entered my name in a give-away and pretty much forgot about it. 
Then, one day a week or so later, I received a phone call saying I'd won a gift certificate 
at my favorite antique mall in the Springs. Yay!


Colorado Springs is only about an hour from Denver so Ron and I
hit the road in search of bargains. 
After a couple of days of snow, we had a perfect Rocky Mountain day 
with sunshine, blue skies and 55 degree weather.

Something at this mall had caught my eye the last time I was there -- a vintage typewriter.  
I wasn't sure where it would fit and it was a little more than I wanted to pay but, with my gift card burning a whole in my wallet, I decided to go back to the mall and see if they still had it.

The Sweet William Antique Mall lies on the edge of a historic district
called Old Colorado City on Route 24. I love this mall.
The salesperson really gets into the spirit of days gone by with an amazing period outfit
and a wavy bob. Isn't she adorable?


Plus all of the booths are fantastic with a varied selection.


I was looking for an old typewriter for my office. 
I'd seen a couple previously but, sadly, they were both gone this time around. 
So we kept looking.


Guess it was meant to be.



I found a 1920s Underwood typewriter that was perfect. Not too big, case included and those wonderful shiny keys trimmed in silver metal. The carriage bell even dinged!


I happened to meet the owner of that booth and asked her if it was her best price. 
It had already been marked down $10 and I didn't expect a discount. Still, never hurts to ask. 
She was such a sweetheart and reduced the price another $15.
That and my gift card and I said, "I'll take it!"


Before we began our return trip to Denver, we drove a few blocks to Old Colorado City
and walked around the 1800s streets, oohing and ahhing at the gorgeous architecture.
Pikes Peak, a massive 14er, dominates the sky and seems to rear up right from the sidewalk.


We found an amazing restaurant called Paravicini's Italian Bistro and enjoyed our lunch
in an old renovated building. If you go, I recommend the eggplant rollatini. Yum! 
We're already planning a return trip this summer
when we can sit on their patio and admire Pikes Peak.

We learned that Old Colorado City was founded in 1859 as a supply hub for the new gold mines.
The town boomed in 1891 when two more gold strikes in Cripple Creek and Victor
created additional demand for supplies.


Back home, I knew my vintage typewriter would fit on a shelf in my office 
but I thought it would be more visible on a retro metal stand I had.


I decided to style the stand with a few office accessories.


I love the feel of this early typewriter and the images it evokes.
I wonder about the women who used it almost one hundred years ago.


And today, it still works.
As the words on the top of the typewriter say, it's a real Champion.

So, a beautiful Colorado day, a fantastic lunch with my sweetie, antiquing and a gift certificate.
My kind of perfect day!

***

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14 comments:

  1. What a fun and fortuitous outing! I'll have to check out that area the next time I'm heading south.

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  2. Oh my goodness. That sure brings back memories of typing in high school. Shorthand, office practice, typing and bookkeeping classes.

    I love how you have displayed your new find.

    Have a nice weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  3. Lucky, you i certainly am smiling so i know you were excited. Yes i do remember Typing class, it was a hoot for sure. Don't wear out the floor looking at your typewriter this weekend. Haha!

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  4. Oh, Pat, that looks perfecto on that metal stand!

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  5. Very special. Are you going to use it or just look at it with a sense of awe at the history of it?

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  6. I love your old typwriter and I think I have one similar in my shed so will go out soon and try to find it. I think it might need some tlc as yours looks very nice. The restaurant definitely needs another visit. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Lucky you - congrats! I found mine years ago at a garage sale. It weighs a ton, but I will never give it up!

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  8. So cute Pat! I have one that is very similar. It's one of my favorite vintage pieces. Love the cute stand you staged it on as well. Congrats on winning the gift certificate.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  9. Love that typewriter and the fact that you got it with your prize makes it even better. I like the way you have it displayed.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful win with us at Snickerdoodle.

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  10. What a lovely find, Pat! I purchased one a few months ago that is considerably newer, but reminded me so much of the one my grandmother had when I was growing up. I wanted one that I could actually use (can still buy ribbon for) in my craft room for journaling in cards and scrapbooks. It's quite a workout for my fingers, but I love it and the memories that it brings to me every time I look at it. Enjoy your lovely vintage find!

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  11. What a great find! I learned to type on a manual typewriter and remember well untangling the jammed keys and using whiteout to correct all the mistakes. I’ll have to check out Old Colorado City if we are ever in the area on one of our trips; I love looking at old historic places (and I love Italian food!).

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  12. My all-time favorite antique store in Colorado Springs! 'Love the typewriter! 'Glad you had such a fun visit there!

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