Sewing Machines and Pencils. Too many things to geek out on…

Hit a couple thrifts today – no typewriters, but it always pays to check the baggies of stuff hanging in the “Office” section of the “randomly bagged crap” part of Goodwill. You never know what will turn up, and I check the section out religiously for Selectric Elements, various useful unopened ribbons for all sorts of typewriters, and vintage stationery. I found two bags today, one which interested me because it contained a box of Selectric 72x ribbons, the other because it contained an unopened calculator ribbon and an unbelievable haul of vintage pencils. Bagged with these treasures were more staples and paper clips than I could possibly ever use and a stock of penciltop and hardened typewriter erasers. Oh, and a pair of 6″ rulers promoting 1950’s mechanical calculator manufacturers!

The Haul. $2.99 a bag for two bags of mostly vintage office supplies.

The Haul. $2.99 a bag for two bags of mostly vintage office supplies.

I've talked about the Marchant Figuremaster before, and here's a ruler promoting the machine with a 1958 calendar on the reverse side. The Friden one has Decimal Equivalents, Reciprocals, and other handy calculating tables on the reverse. This stash of supplies probably came from the office of a retired engineer.

I’ve talked about the Marchant Figuremaster before, and here’s a ruler promoting the machine with a 1958 calendar on the reverse side. The Friden one has Decimal Equivalents, Reciprocals, and other handy calculating tables on the reverse. This stash of supplies probably came from the office of a retired engineer.

Got a couple of Eberhard Faber Sapphire Hard 725's, a Blaisdell Ben Franklin 561 (red), and an Eagle Verithin  Carmine Red 745.

Got a couple of Eberhard Faber Sapphire Hard 725’s, a Blaisdell Ben Franklin 561 (red), and an Eagle Verithin Carmine Red 745.

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This fantastic art-deco metal pencil case that originally held some fine Wallace Motif pencils...

This fantastic art-deco metal pencil case that originally held some fine Wallace Motif pencils…

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...now holds over a dozen tiny boxes full of mechanical pencil leads in various colors and sizes.

…now holds over a dozen tiny boxes full of mechanical pencil leads in various colors and sizes.

wow, there's a wooden tray the leads sit in.

wow, there’s a wooden tray the leads sit in.

The Selectric 721 ribbons that'll fit The Blue Bomber and The Pink Panther just fine. IBM includes a safety warning sheet for the ribbons. I'll have to scan it later.

The Selectric 721 ribbons that’ll fit The Blue Bomber and The Pink Panther just fine. IBM includes a safety warning sheet for the ribbons. I’ll have to scan it later.

The box of Ticonderoga turned out to be mixed Ticonderoga 1388 #2's and W.B. Gregory CASS #3's.

The box of Ticonderoga turned out to be mixed Ticonderoga 1388 #2’s and W.B. Gregory CASS #3’s.

So During this trip, I also noticed a few interesting sewing machines. Man, I’d be in serious trouble if I collected these things. They can be very cool-looking.

and a Necchi Supernova. Is this an Italian brand? Neat-looking machine.

and a Necchi Supernova. Is this an Italian brand? Neat-looking machine.

Unbelievably encrusted with gold motifs.

Unbelievably encrusted with gold motifs.

A treadle-table Singer...

A treadle-table Singer…

Updated: April 30, 2013 — 8:34 pm

5 Comments

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  1. That Necchi Supernova is indeed made in Italy. Late Fifties and considered the Ferrari of sewing machines in its day. I have one just like it in its cabinet, complete with tool kit and fold-out chair. I can’t seem to get rid of it because it was my mother’s and I have memories of her using it when I was a kid. I can see a corner of it as I write.
    Nice pencils, Ted!

  2. Those are some nice thngs, and a few sewing machines for Adwoa. Our loca Goodwill store expanded and now has less goodies than before — all clothng :(

  3. That’s a nice batch of photos. I like the treadle machine.

  4. Wow …. a great haul! There’s something very satisfying about using old, old things that are still perfectly useful.

    The Wallace Motif pencil tin is a real beauty, and to my eye it looks 90-100 years old.

  5. OK, I’m intrigued by a pencil that says, “We buy milk, cream, and eggs,” and also says “Corydon, Iowa.” That’s a long way from Arizona. Gotta be a story there.

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