Smith Corona Galaxie xii Typewriter, 1973.

Yes, this typewriter works! It is the personal writing instrument of Fred Muratori, Cornell’s Bibliographer for English-Language, Literature & Film, so please treat it with respect. We invite you to try it out—use it to record thoughts you would like to convey to the library—poems, haikus, ideas, or whatever is on your mind. If someone has already typed on the page, leave some space and continue with your own narrative, adding pages as needed (they’re numbered). We will archive these sheets of paper, and if we quote from them, will keep them anonymous, so only sign your messages if you want them attributed, and leave a note that specifies if you have privacy preferences.

How to use the Galaxie xii:

This machine has no delete key, so be sure to type slowly and carefully until you’re used to the way a manual keyboard feels and works. If you run out of paper or get stuck, ask for help from the Circulation Desk. When you finish a sheet of paper, please remove it by pulling gently from the top edge with one hand and turning one of the side “platen knobs” with the other. Place a new page by feeding it in from the back, aligning the left edge with the metal paper guide in back, and pulling up the bar with two rubber rollers (the “line indicator”) in front of the carriage. Then, turn the platen knobs gently until you see the paper appear in front. Continue turning until the paper appears above the line indicator, and tuck the paper behind it, then push it back in place. Next, push the carriage (use the platen knobs) so that it is all the way to the right and you’re ready to start typing at the beginning of the left margin (unless you’d prefer to start typing elsewhere on the line). Turn the platen knobs until you’re at the correct vertical spot on the page and begin typing. When you reach the end of the line, you won’t find an “enter” button to go to the next line. You’ll have to manually go to the next line by pushing the “carriage return lever” on the left.

OK, those are the basics. Please consult the manual if you have more detailed questions about its functions.