THIS rare typewriter, potentially worth $10,000, could have ended up on the Burnie tip.
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That was before collectables auctioneer Peter Broadfield spotted it as he helped clear a North-West family's home in preparation for an elderly woman's move into an aged-care facility.
Mr Broadfield stumbled across the Norths Typewriter, made in 1892, and considered it a valuable piece instantly, attaching a value of $500 to $1000.
A Google search revealed that it was worth about 10 times as much. ``We found it was actually worth between $5000 and $10,000, which obviously thrilled the family,'' Mr Broadfield said.
``They were going to throw it in the skip bin.''
The typewriter is unique as, unlike normal typewriters, the user cannot see what has been written until the paper is pulled out of the back of the machine.
``If you think about VHS versus Beta video, this is the Beta version of the typewriter.
``The four companies I know that produced a typewriter that worked this way simply went out of business.''
It was produced for only a few years by Lord North - production stopping when he died.
Mr Broadfield said international typewriter collectors had been contacted about the piece and he expected some interesting phone bids before the hammer fell.
The typewriter is among up to 600 items to be auctioned at the Island State Antique Collectables and Estate Auction at the Burnie Showgrounds at Wivenhoe on July 21. Doors open at 8am for viewing, with the auction to start at 10am.
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