Explore 600 years of caculating devices, from the abacus to the desk top computer, with valuable information for historians and collectors alike. With 500 color photographs, accurate captions, and a guide to current values, this will be an essential guide to collecting office machines.

“Typewriter expert and collector Anthony Casillo presents a visual homage to the device that revolutionized correspondence” (The Florida Times-Union). From the creation of the QWERTY keyboard to the world’s first portable typing machine, this handsome collection is a visual homage to the golden age of the typewriter. From the world’s first commercially successful typewriter—the Sholes & Glidden Type Writer of 1874—to the iconic electric models of the 1960s, eighty vintage devices are profiled in elegant photographs and fascinating text that highlights the design modifications, intricate details, and peculiar quirks that make each typewriter unique. From functional advances like noiseless machines to luxurious details such as mahogany covers and inlaid mother-of-pearl, a century of design innovation and experimentation is charted in these pages. Packed with visuals and rich with history, Typewriters is the essential story of a writing invention that changed the world. Includes a foreword by Tom Hanks Praise for Typewriters “A Love Letter to Vintage Typewriters.” —Wall Street Journal “This is sure to delight typewriter lovers and those interested in machine or design history.” —Library Journal

Since 1973 Michael Adler's first book, The Writing Machine, has been affectionately called "the bible of the typewriter enthusiast." The renowned typewriter expert's new book, is sure to stimulate the same enthusiasm all over again, bringing you new and as yet unpublished insights into the origins of the invention itself in a detailed history of the machine. Over 250 photographs illustrate this definitive text, which includes comprehensive directories of typewriter inventions, makes, and models, and a concise guide to their values with advice on buying and collecting. How much? When? Where? How good? How rare? Who? Why? If you are looking for answers to any or all of these questions, Antique Typewriters is the ultimate reference book for you - from the novice typewriter collector to "seasoned old hand" enthusiasts and historians.

A famous man once said, "The sewing machine is one of the few useful things ever invented." The ANTIQUE AMERICAN SEWING MACHINE VALUE GUIDE, soon to be published, is the most comprehensive book on antique American sewing machine values printed to date. Consisting of 258 pages & written by the "best West Coast source" on collecting & appraising old sewing machines, it lists current estimated values for every collectible American sewing machine manufactured from 1851 through the turn of the century. Also included are brief histories on the invention of the sewing machine & American sewing machine companies. The ANTIQUE AMERICAN SEWING MACHINE VALUE GUIDE has over 100 photos & descriptions of machines that are fast becoming an excellent investment. This book has information on where collections can be seen & a Singer serial number dating chart. Written in easy to read text, it is the perfect sewing machine value guide for the advanced or beginner collector, as well as any individual who would like to know the estimated value of his or her sewing machine heirloom. When buying or selling a collectible sewing machine, the ANTIQUE AMERICAN SEWING MACHINE VALUE GUIDE can be used to document its value.

For the first time ever, a book has been published that details every known fastener made by the pioneers in staplers, the E.H. Hotchkiss Co. Contains photographs and illustrations of all known staplers manufactured not only by Hotchkiss, but also its predecessor the Jones Manufacturing Co along with subsidiaries Compo Manufacturing and Star Paper Fastener Co. Along with illustrating different models are shown model variations of color, finish, and design. You will also find details of all known staples used by all these companies and even staple removers! All of this is topped-off with a brief history discussing each company. Brought to you by the person behind the long-running American Stationer blog, one of the most popular sites about antique and vintage office supplies and equipment. This book contains all-new original photographs and antique illustrations documenting the different fasteners in such a way that it will make it easy for you to identify any models you may come across.