$200 to the good

The graceful, shiny black Silent seen in my previous post sold for $200 in the benefit action earlier this month.

I bid $75 to establish the base in the "silent" auction, named not for the typewriter but for the written, publicly displayed bids.

Within minutes the price went to $100. Then, while I wasn't looking, a smitten somebody bagged the Corona for two big ones. I'm sure the machine has a happy, comfortable home. I envision it nestling into a dark, wood-paneled den.

And because the auction was to support affordable housing, the typewriter did its bit to make happy homes for others in need.

A Donor's Second Thoughts

Talk about being conflicted.

In the spirit of helping our community and paring back my typewriter archive, I recently donated this beautiful Corona Silent to a benefit auction.

The auction is a bit of a “do” and has a literary theme. It comes with dinner and speeches by celebrity authors.

The auction’s proceeds go to providing affordable housing to those in need.

Well and good,

Enter the conflict.

I began to get donor’s remorse. I mean, face it, this is one beautiful machine. Just look at it. It’s in great shape. It has classic lines. If I saw it for sale at a reasonable price, I’d pop for it.

Then it occurred to me: It might be for sale for a reasonable price — at the auction.

Why of course! I’ll bid on it.

So I told the folks running the auction that the Corona should have a reserve or floor price that I would pay.

$75.

I’m friends with the organizers and they kindly offered to return the Silent in exchange for another less prized typewriter, but I declined.

If someone wants to beat my bid, the typewriter is certain to end up in good hands — for a good cause.

If not, I’m happy to make a donation to a worthy charity and to re-possess a great typewriter.

Win/win.