Hi Joe, This is a fun machine to use, and is a bit quieter with a new platen. To fix up a worn but still sturdy Corona Folding 3 case, I took the case along to a fabric store and bought some black "parachute" material, a sort of meshthat looked suitable. I used Elmer's Glue to attach it, corners first, then the rectangles for top, base and sides second. The glue dried clear.
I was just gifted a 1920 Corona 3 today. It will need to be cleaned, and the front "flap" on the case is missing, as well as need to have the platen recovered and feed rollers replaced, but it's in remarkably good shape with no rust. I'm thrilled to have this piece of my friend's family history!
I have a 1923 Corona 3 and it is well in a ways my favourite typewriter! I absolutely adore the way it types and feels. Mine came with the case, manual, and brush, and has the return lever as well as automatic ribbon reverse. The Corona 3 was the typewriter used by Ernest Hemingway and Ernie Pyle. Cheers!
My father collected many things, including typewriters. After he passed my brother and I discovered so many antiques. He was an accountant so he took special interest in antique office items. Over 500+ typewriters/adding machines 🤓. Several Corona 3’s in various condition. The nicer of the bunch was owned my a newspaper reporter. Pop was really good about keeping historical notes with items. Anyhow somewhere in the mix we find this what appeared to be old music stand that didn’t really make any sense. My brother and I discussed it and determined it was probably missing pieces to make it functional s a “music stand”. I can still hear his words telling me to “chuck it”. lol Thank goodness I only pretended to throw it away because it turned out to be a Corona 3 field stand that happened to belong to that newspaper reporter. It was easy to verify because that Corona 3 had small rub marks on the paint caused by that little metal stand. Long story but a good one.
Makes one wonder why this "three layers" approach didn't become standard even for more traditional keyboard layouts. It doesn't seem to add too much weight, size or complexity and at the same time would offer a lot of (less frequently used) additional symbols. 🤔
That little bell just *melted* my heart! It's so cute and small and such a beautiful little typewriter. Congratulations Joe! If you do bring it to a coffee shop, just be warned that you WILL be interrupted from your numerous times... not only by those who have never seen a typewriter, but also by those who have an appreciation for a beautiful piece of history like this!
Congrats for being given this little marvel of ingenuity. You deserve it. Its sound is certainly distinctive and pleasant. It must be somewhat rugged to have survived all these years! Cheers. Daniel
Yeah I don’t want anything funky or weird for myself. Just want the typical QWERTY keyboards. The 1930s is as early as I want to go with typewriters because I like to actually type and I feel like these older machines would not be very comfortable to type on. This machine does nothing for me, but I appreciate getting to see it and find out about something I wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to. 👍
Dang it... I've been watching your camera and pinhole videos. What is it about cameras and typewriters? How do they go together? Maybe it's just an appreciation for fine precision machinery that allows us to express creativity. Thanks for introducing a fascinating machine!
There's actually a really easy way to deal with the hard platen, which is using hot-shrinkable tubes. I tried on my Continental, Underwood, and Voss, and it did a great job. Quite an economical way I think.
Another way to deal with a hard platen as I recently discovered reading a print brochure put out by Swissa Piccola. “Take a clean cloth with some mineral spirits and rub lightly on the platen”. I am about to try it on my newest addition a Swissa Piccolo. 🤞🏼
I recently get an Erika Portable (Foldable), so called Klapp-Erika. How about a direct comparision video like that with the Selectrics? And yes, you mentioned beautiful details, and what Ido like ist that they don't just have a "1" key but also a "0" key, thus you don't have to mess around with 1,ooo or 5.OO meters and you can in fact write 1,000 and 5.00, yay!
Very nice example with dual shift keys; there was an even narrower single-shift version. Though even with the wider keyboard it still feels cramped compared to larger portables. I never realized some 3s came with a short return lever. And yes, it is a delicate, slow typer but it’s got a lot of charm. Great video, as always.
Will you show how to replace the ribbon for the Corona 3 typewriter? I've bought a few but they're always too large. I've read that I need to take the new ribbon and wind it on the spools for the Corona 3 but I don't know how. Any help is appreciated!
Hi, Joe! Thank you for this video. I received a 1921 Corona 3 for my birthday, and your video helped me adjust the line spacing from single to double and correct the direction of the ribbon. I would not be able to use my machine if it weren’t for you. 5:09
I have a Corona 3! Mine is different in that the apostrophe is on the "V" key, and the shift keys are only on the left; also, mine does have an exclamation point; it's on the "F" key.
I wanted a Corona 3 for a few decades, I still have one of those classic ads framed in my study. It's just an amazing machine. I finally gave up because I knew it'd just be an ornament rather than a true writing instrument--for me. Congratulations! It's a titan in typewriter history.
Hi Joe. Thank you very much for such a great video. I learned lot! I have a Corona 3 1917 typewriter similar to yours. I know it is in good working condition but it needs some cleaning and stuff. I do not want to do the maintenance on my own as I do not want to mess up the little lady. I would be very much grateful if you can steer me where I can have it cleaned and serviced. I live in The Bay Area Ca location.
Nice explanation of some of its quirks. If you get the chance, you should try out an Underwood 3 bank. It is sturdier than the Corona and I love mine. Thanks for the video!
I really like your latest acquisition Joe, she's a beauty. I love typewriters from the early and mid 20th century. I'm relatively new to typewriter collecting but I don't see myself going for anything newer than 1960... I prefer the aesthetic of older typewriters and love early German machines Adler (7,15,favorit), Olympia (Simplex, model 8). As for the inner workings I find it really fascinating how these machines work... the mechanisms, the ingenuity! Keep up the great work Joe, your work, approach to typewriters and generosity with your time as part of the community is very much appreciated. Do you have a patreon account? All the best from Ireland 🇮🇪 Evan
Wonderful video. I have a 1918 Corona 3, and I ran into a problem. When I first got it, the FIG shift was working fine for me. Now, when I use it, it seems to be hitting between the uppercase and symbol/number. Any thoughts on why is causing that?
Joe, as always a very nice video. You did mention that it is difficult for a 10-finger typist, but you failed to mention that there is no place to "rest" your right pinky finger. That is why some brilliant person in the typewriter "after-market" made the REST KEY. A very, very rare item to find. I have one and I have never seen another for sale. It clips onto the frame's right side inline with the 'L' key. I am sorry that I cannot post a photograph.
My earliest Corona 3 is the 1913 ball bearing. I caught something interesting the other day. That apparently back in the day you can get a finger rest for the right side of the machine.
Thank you for this tutorial! I am just trying to find a Corona 3 with the old pre-revolution Russian keybord with the old Russian letters Ѣ, І, so I can type using the old orthography of my native language. Wish me look!
