i bought this old ROYAL typewriter 23 years ago at the marin flea market for $15. i used it for the next 15 years until some of the keys started sticking and the ribbon was completely dead and off track. FINALLY last week i had it tuned up and now it works like new again (they had my same exact typewriter on sale there for $500). this is the same kind of typewriter that ERNEST HEMINGWAY used . . .  how is THAT for inspiration ?!