This month’s day trip brought an unexpected surprise. I had heard about someone who collects manual typewriters, and, intrigued, I reached out to Rachel Spence of Ocean View Typewriters, in Queens County. She graciously offered me an appointment, as this is not a “stop in on a whim” enterprise, because her collection is in her home. Having no idea what to expect, I headed out and was thankful for my GPS. Rachel and her family have a lovely enclave off the beaten path.
Rachel greeted me at her front door, accompanied by three miniature poodles. Upon entering the house, it was immediately obvious that collecting is in this family’s blood. As Rachel took me on a tour of her extensive collection of manual typewriters, I was honestly gobsmacked by their history, both aesthetic and mechanical.
Rachel’s extensive knowledge of both was almost daunting. The details she shared about how each machine was developed, what its unique characteristics are, the history of form, shape, colour, how she procured them, how they were shipped, the challenges some offered, and even a story about one that was so popular, the company discontinued it because it was hurting sales of other models, made me want to learn more.
Rachel’s passion for these machines is obvious and palpable. But, she is not just a collector. Rachel also services and restores. She sells, and she even has a list of tips for owners on her website (Ocean View Typewriters).
Much like other proprietors I have met, Rachel’s business emerged from a passion. Prior to living in Nova Scotia, Rachel was an editor in Toronto. With undergraduate and graduate degrees in English, she still does freelance editing, but her love of manual typewriters grew once she moved to the South Shore, and she found herself developing a following.
Ocean View Typewriters was born and has grown. Always a tinkerer, Rachel loves not just the function and aesthetics, but also repair and restoration. Certainly, if you ever need a manual typewriter or have one that needs repair, Rachel is your go-to.
After being immersed in such a unique subject, I was famished, so I headed to the West End Kwik-Way. Too chilly out for one of their famous ice cream sandwiches, I did eyeball the huge variety of bags of candy, and then got a deli sandwich — which, being vegetarian, is sometimes a challenge, but they met my goal. You’ll never find a Kwik-Way quite like it.
I finally had to walk the dogs, so I stopped off at Pine Grove Park; turn right exiting the 103 at Liverpool, and it’s on your left. It’s a beautiful place to walk, especially in the spring when the extensive collection of azaleas and rhododendrons are in bloom.