Cherryland Typewriter

Hi all,

I'm Christopher Ronayne, a 16y/o collector of antiques, mainly porcelain/enamel signs, glass bottles, telegraph insulators and, of course, typewriters! I've collected insulators since early 2009, and typewriters since 2010.

For years, I'd always wanted a typewriter, just because they are old and cool. I found one in an antique shop in my town for $25, but was leaving for vacation with my father. My mother told me she'd get me the typewriter if it was still available, and if I had the money. I later found out that someone had purchased it while I was away.

For my 15th birthday, my folks and I spent the weekend in Morpeth, NSW Australia, home of a large junk/antique shop. I spent a day poking around inside, searching for glass insulators of interest. While looking around, I found four or five old dusty typewriters, on a shelf near the counter. They were a mix of portables and desk-tops of different ages and conditions. I picked up the Cherryland, and checked its condition.
Aside from a little rust/rot on the backside of the typewriter, it was in great condition. All the keys worked fine, the carriage moved smoothly (though a little 'clunky'), the platen was in good shape, and the mechanical parts were all relatively rust free.

Aside from the great condition, I also loved the old styling/shape, the color and the 'textured' paint job. I took it up to the lady at the counter and asked for the price. She looked it over and replied that although it was worth $70-75 Au, she'd sell it for $60 to me. After buying some nice insulators earlier on, I had just enough birthday money left to purchase it.

It proved to be difficult getting it into the original carry case, so I zipped it up as best I could and carried it back to the bed & breakfast we were staying in. My mum & stepdad were real suprised when I walked in the door with a typewriter. At first my mum thought it to be junk, and that I'd been ripped off.

After getting back home, I sent an email and photos to Will Davis, and was suprised at my find. According to Will Davis, this was a rare style of typewriter, with a one-of-a-kind name on it.

This was primarily to tell about how I found the machine, and if you want to read more technical details and comparisons, look here:
http://davistypewriters.blogspot.com/2011/02/cherryland.html

Side note: In 2011, I managed to purchase another Nippo typewriter off EBay Aust. for $22. It's a later style of Nippo with the label 'CLD ATLAS'. I believe this model is designated a P-200, as it has a tabulator. It may or may not have a color selector. It's inaccesible at the moment.

If you look at the second typewriter from the bottom, it is an ATLAS CLD. Looking at the damage (chips etc.) in the photo, it appears to be the one I bought online. Exact match!
http://oztypewriter.blogspot.com/2011/04/typewriter-posers.html

If you want to read about Nippo typewriters, look here: http://machinesoflovinggrace.com/ptf/japan2.html

This has been my greatest find, and will always be my favorite typewriter.

Thanks for reading,

Chris

Chris M D Ronayne
chrisronayne@live.com.au