1972 Brother Activator 899 #B2988998
Status: My Collection
Hunter: James Gifford (giffer)
Created: 09-03-2016 at 11:37AM
Last Edit: 09-03-2016 at 11:40AM
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Description:
O, Brother, why art though? I picked up this Activator 899 (why 899?) for CAN$20 at a local market, without a case. It's like the Royal Fleetwood's red-headed step-brother. Square, yellowed keys, a generous assortment of browns and reds, and the fake woodgrain front that I so love in the Fleetwoods but question on the Activator 899. I also love that it shouts out its most redeeming feature, Automatic Repeat Spacer, which is only about four inches away from the actual Repeat Spacer.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: James Gifford (giffer)
James Gifford's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2325
I am a writer and book editor as well as a collector of typewriters. It started with an Hermes 3000 desktop, which I stupidly sold last year, but now another sits on my desk for typing envelopes with a beautiful sans serif typeface. I type every day on different machines in my collection, which stands at about 60 at the moment. Favourites include my two 3000s, a 1930s Smith-Corona Silent, the Olivetti Studio 44 (red case), and a crinkle, chrome-encircled Royal Quiet Deluxe. I have also been finding very inexpensive Royal 10s of late; I currently own three, two from the 1910s and the other a later model, and another (1931) I sold to a friend at cost for his son, who appreciates vintage things. I am always on the lookout for new and interesting machines and often trade or sell to try new models. Living and working in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Brother Activator 899 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Brother Serial Number page and the Brother Activator 899 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
