This section is a bibliography of newsletters, books, articles and other media that should expand the knowledge of beginning and advanced collectors of typewriter ribbon tins. It does not include many wonderful books that are exclusively devoted to typewriters. We have rated 3 *** to those newsletters, books, articles or links that are the most informative about ribbon tins down to a ** or *. A book, for instance, may be superb both as to writing and pictures but the content may only mention ribbon tins in passing so they would have a lower rating for benefiting ribbon tins collectors. Our comments on the various media is in boldface.
Newsletters
Van Deusen, Hobart D. (HDVD) Ribbon Tin News (RTN). Lakeville, CT. Self published, loose leaf newsletter, 1993-2003. ***1,020 pages. Mostly in color, this mostly quarterly ribbon tin collectors newsletter was published for 10 years and was considered the “bible” for ribbon tin collecting until RTVM. The Museum Curator (HDVD) makes available complete runs of RTN including a 31 page index which lists: all the articles written (many in depth on ribbon & carbon companies, tin makers, etc.), all the typewriter ribbon tins pictured (2,500+), and all the typewriter go-withs pictured (250). It was the most valuable guide for the ribbon tin collector until this website was created in 2015. A complete run may be purchased for $250.
Brown, Michael A. The Typewriter Exchange–TYPEX. Philadelphia, PA. Loose leaf newsletter, 1981—–. *This quarterly newsletter was started by Dan Post in 1981 thru 1988, Thomas FitzGerald became editor 1989 thru 1994, and Mike Brown continues today. TYPEXis devoted mostly to typewriter collecting and history. The first ad for ribbon tins was placed in the summer of 1982 and the second by Hoby Van Deusen in the winter of 1985 also asking for information to compile a master list of ribbon tins. The Vol. 7, No. 4 issue by Mark Brown in 1990 discussed typewriter ribbon trade-marks with the help of HDVD. RTN’s debut in 1993 and its going silent in 2003 was discussed. Ribbon and carbon companies were covered in depth: A. P. Little in 1997, Bundy in 1998. HDVD’s ribbon tin seminar at a 2000 Philadelphia typewriter convention was discussed. Editor Mike Brown in 2002 had this to say about RTN: “I would like to offer public kudos to Hoby Van Deusen, editor of the above noted three issue per year newsletter. For quite a few years, Hoby has entertained and delighted ribbon tin collectors from near and far. In particular, I admire his extraordinary skill of researching the company histories and the men and women behind them. A tip of the cap from your friends at TYPEX.”
Books
Zimmerman, David. The Encyclopedia of Advertising Tins, Smalls & Samples. Vol. I., 1994. Self published, soft cover book. **Pictured are 324 ribbon tins in black & white and 20 in color. Ribbon tins take up 20 pages in this 348 page book. 6 ribbon tins are pictured on the covers. A great book with thousands of small tins but a major drawback is that the great majority are pictured in black and white. Good discussion of valuation, care & cleaning, and has a list of tin making companies. The tins are priced but the pre-eBay prices are out-of-date now.
Zimmerman, David. Encyclopedia of Advertising Tins, Smalls & Samples, Identification & Values. Vol. II. Paducah, KY: Collector Books, A Division of Schroeder Publishing Co., Inc. Hard cover, 1999. **Pictured are 97 ribbon tins all in color on 18 pages in this 268 page book. One ribbon tin is pictured on the front cover. Like Vol. I there are many small tins and the greatest improvement is that the entire book is in color. This volume adds hints on dating tins, warehouse finds info and Canadian tin makers to Vol. I’s discussions. The tins are priced but the pre-eBay prices are out-of-date now.
Dodge, Fred L. Antique Tins, Identification & Values. Vol. II. Paducah, KY: Collector Books, A Division of Schroeder Publishing Co., Inc. Hard cover, 1998. **Pictured are 174 ribbon tins all in color on 30 pages in this 300 page book. Hoby & Nancy Van Deusen contributed pictures of 32 ribbon tins, 38 pictures of cocoa tins and 17 pop corn tins. Tom & Mary Lou Slike contributed the bulk of the other ribbon tins. Has very good discussions of pricing and condition grading with pictures of 5 different conditions. Contains 15 tips for caring, collecting, and purchasing tins. Contains a list of tin manufacturers. The tins are priced but the pre-eBay prices are out-of-date now.
Dodge, Fred L. Antique Tins, Identification & Values. Vol. III. Paducah, KY: Collector Books, A Division of Schroeder Publishing Co., Inc. Hard cover, 1999. **Pictured are 203 ribbon tins all in color on 24 pages in this 268 page book. Two ribbon tins are pictured on the cover. Hoby & Nancy Van Deusen contributed pictures of 14 ribbon tins, 45 pictures of cocoanut tins,19 of cocoa tins, and 13 of miscellaneous tins. Tom & Mary Lou Slike contributed the bulk of the other ribbon tins. This is a very nice followup book with more different tins. Pricing and tin condition grading is included. The tins are priced but the prices are out-of-date now, pre-eBay.
Rehr, Darryl. Antique Typewriters & Office Collectibles, Identification & Value Guide. Paducah, KY: Collector Books, A Division of Schroeder Publishing Co., Inc. Soft cover, 1997. *Typewriters are the main focus of this 173 page book and the book has excellent pictures of the machines and a thorough discussion of each typewriter. One major drawback is the author’s very low pricing of the typewriters. There is a small section of 7 pages on ribbon tins. There are 11 groups in color of 20 tins each plus 3 larger pictures. 4 ribbon tins are pictured on the front cover. There is only one page of general discussion of ribbon tins and the pricing method is confusing. The top price for a tin is listed as $35.00+.
Russo, Thomas A. Office Collectibles, 100 Years of Business Technology. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd. Hard cover, 2000 *Pictured are 94 ribbon tins, very large images all in color on 24 pages in this 224 page book. Two ribbon tins are pictured on the front cover: a round Carnation and the Eureka dozen box. Prices given are what the author paid for the tins so, are not up-to-date. Some interesting points are made by the author in his introduction to the ribbon tin section. There are excellent sections on typewriter go-withs are quite extensive such as: postcards, blotters, ads, medals, awards, paper clip holders, cigarette lighters, tip trays, bookends, paperweights, memo pads, hat pins, rulers, magnifying glass, shaving mug, ash trays, toys, etc.
Hothem, Lar. Country Store Antiques. Florence, Alabama: Books America, Inc. Soft cover, 1984. 155 pages. *Possibly the earliest collectors price guide book to picture ribbon tins. On page 76, there are pictured 2 ribbon tins, a Kee Lox & a Remtico Paragon, both very common and priced at $6. & $5. On page 111 a Bucki puppy dog paperweight is listed at $23.
Miscellaneous
TCCA’s Unofficial Price Guide to Advertising Tins 1989 Blue Book. *This 324 page ring binder manual from the Tin Container Collectors Association devoted 6 pages to listing 240 ribbon tins with dimensions and pricing running from A to R. There were 201 As ($1.-$9.99), 35 Bs ($10.-$24.99), and 4 Cs ($25.-$49.99).The four Cs were: a square Hammond, a Jerry Boy, a triangular Lion Brand, and a Queen of Hearts. How eBay and times have changed since 1989. HDVD did not supply the tin listing or the pricing. The pricing was especially poor.
Links:
http://www. This link is an important site to lookup……….
