Royal 10 Office Typewriter with Single Glass Panels (c.1920s)

At one point only the wealthiest Pittsburgh families could afford a typewriter in their home. Eventually schools and businesses caught on. Then, as the market expanded the trend exploded into homes for personal use at virtually every income level. EVERYONE had a typewriter. The typewriter evolved to the electric typewriter, which was eventually replaced by the word processor- all became antiquated with the computer age. For a while finding vintage typewriters was an easy task. All you needed to do to acquire one was take a walk around town during garbage collection night. Those days are gone. Typewriters remain a classy, sophisticated remnant of an age of learning and educational expansion. This very unique find is a Royal 10 Typewriter. Thomas Fortune Ryan founded the Royal Typewriter Company in 1904. The company was headquartered in New York City; with it’s factory in Hartford, Connecticut and became a major supplier to Pennsylvania colleges and universities. Singular or dual glass panels on the sides, heavy weight, black paint, and gold lettering can identify the Royal 10. Each machine has an individual serial number, which can be used to determine the year on manufacture. In 1914, the upright Royal 10 appeared. This was the classic model with beveled glass sides that would become one of the market leaders. Early No. 10s had two windows through which the machine's workings could be viewed, and later models had just one window. Like other Royal models, this one is stylish almost as a bonus -- Royals were all designed to be functional, reliable workhorses. In fact, the Royal Company even organized publicity stunts in which their No. 10 typewriters were dropped out of airplanes (inside crates) to show they could survive such a dramatic fall. Yet people continued to appreciate the appearance of the machine just as much as its reputation for strength. The value ranges vastly; $150.00-$1,600.00 depending on condition. This one is on the rougher side, but we think it has character.

1962 (Cold War Era) Fallout Shelter Sign, Mint Condition

As tensions mounted between the United States and the Soviet Union during the cold war era, the threat of a third world war involving the use of nuclear weapons became a very real possibility to many Americans. Pennsylvania was a leading industrial materials manufacturing state at the time, with Pittsburgh being revered for high quality steel. Fallout shelters became common place. Slogans like “Duck and Cover” filled the radio waves. Albert Einstein perhaps said it best, ““I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” It is not at all unusual to see these signs on older Pennsylvania buildings, especially gymnasiums, churches, schools, or banks. Typically years of weathering erodes the black colors from the sign and the yellow is faded to orange if not completely aluminum colored. It is extremely rare to find one in mint condition. This particular sign was produced sometime after June 5, 1962. It was originally mailed from Fort McHenry in Baltimore, MD. To Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, PA. for distribution. Value for a mint condition sign can be from anywhere between $20.00 and $95.00. Please note that the signs are very thin. Special precaution and tools should be used when removing a vintage/weathered sign from an abandoned building as it is likely that damage to the sign will be incurred.

 

Non-Firing Replica British Pattern 1853 Enfield Civil War Rifled Musket

For immediate sale/ closeout from the pickers. Check out our Craigslist ad.
CLICK HERE: listing auto-expires in 45 days

This non-firing replica is highly collectible and would be suitable as a wall hanger, discussion piece, or for the civil war reenact-er on a budget.

We originally purchased this at Stoneham's Armory on Steinwehr Avenue in Gettysburg, PA (home of the second "bloodiest" battle of the American Civil War) in the Summer of 2010 for the sum of $260.00 USD. We are currently asking for $200 but will entertain any fair offers. This item is priced to move! We don't believe that you could find this deal for this style of London Armory stamped Enfield replica rifle anywhere else online. If you can, leave the link as a comment and we'll consider a valid change/match in pricing.

History of the Original: This British pattern 1853 rifled musket became the Confederate standard rifle of the Civil War. The Enfield was reliable, quick-loading, and accurate. It was a vast improvement over the previously used smoothbore Flintlock Muskets.

If interested, contact through Cragslist or the ORIGINAL Pittsburgh Pickers Website.

Approximate:
Length: 55"
Weight: 5.4 lbs

CRAIGSLIST AD: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/clt/2914804751.html

STILL AVAILABLE IN 2013!!! GREAT DEAL!!!

Gamewell Fire Alarm Pull Box

CA Early 1900s. Western Pennsylvania has a rich history in the fire service (There are hundreds of volunteer stations and Pittsburgh is home to the paid IAFF Firefighter’s Union Local #1). So it’s no surprise that we come across a lot of vintage firefighting equipment like this FIRE ALARM PULL BOX. A modernized version of this box can still be found in use today in cities across the country (like Boston to name just one). The boxes use telegraph technology which means they can work without electricity or telephone service. The process actually pre-dates telephones. There are a variety of companies which made these throughout the years but this one is made by the most popular, The Gamewell Co. in New York. If you needed assistance you literally broke out a glass panel, opened the box, and pulled down on a lever which would send a coded telegraph to the local fire department. The firefighters translated the code into two streets, an intersection. They would then go to that location and try to find the fire. Most PA boroughs removed their boxes in the mid 1950s when telephones in the home became more popular. With the invention of cell phones boxes have become hard to find outside of industrial sites. Gamewell had replaced all “break glass” models by 1924 with a simpler and less expensive external pull down lever.

Prince Albert Tobacco Tins

CA Before 1940: Tin process patented on July 30, 1907. Tobacco Tin/ Tobacciana. Prince Albert Crimp Cut Long Burning Pipe & Cigarette Tobacco Tin. These tins were manufactured in Winston Salem, North Carolina U.S.A. ,the same location where the tobacco was processed -at the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (which is still open today). Coloring: Red, Black, White, Yellow."DOES NOT BITE THE TONGUE"

American Civil War Bullets (Union & Confederate)

CA 1863. American Civil War Military Relics. .58 Cal. 3 Ring Union Bullets & .58 Cal. 2 Ring Confederate Bullets. Dug Bullets found in Gettysburg, PA, host site of the 2nd bloodiest battle of the American Civil War (July 1-3 1863). Verified as authentic by The Horse Soldier: Fine Military Americana. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Carlton Ware Hangman Mug

CA 1930s Carlton Ware mug. Made in England. Kiln mould number:19 72. Depicts a hanging Puritan. Several variations of this cup exists. Reverse reads: "There are several Reasons for Drinking, And one has just entered my head. If a man can't Drink When he's Living, How the H-! can he Drink when he's Dead?"