About Ben
My interest in typewriters began on Saturday, April 4, 2020. With little to do on that day during the pandemic, I decided to clean up a typewriter that I had inherited from my grandmother years ealier. I turned to YouTube to learn about cleaning and using a typewriter. To my surprise, I discovered a vibrant and wonderful community of typewriter enthusiasts. Years later, I am still fascinated by typewriters and passionate about the search for the most elusive machines.
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When I'm not tinkering with typewriters, I enjoy cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats and spending time with my wife, family, and friends. Professionally, I'm an attorney and credit union executive in Denver, Colorado. I'm originally from the Bluegrass State and a proud alum of the University of Kentucky.
About the Collection
My collection includes about sixty typewriters, along with ephemera, books, tools, and accessories.
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It consists of pre-War, American-made typewriters that are rare, historically significant, and/or beautiful. These are the criteria by which I've built my collection.
My primary interest is in pre-1920 typewriters. The period from the 1870s to the early 1920s was the most important in typewriter history. Manufacturers experimented with all sorts of innovative mechanisms and designs, resulting in a fascinating diversity of machines.
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In addition to early typewriters, I collect post-1920 rare portables. Among my favorites is the Corona flattop trifecta: a very rare Corona Musician Model, a Gorham sterling silver Corona, and an "animal key" Corona.
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I've also assembled a sub-collection of typewriters used by the armed forces during World War II. I have U.S. Navy and U.S. Army-branded machines from all four major American manufacturers, plus an especially rare British telegraph typewriter.​​​