Exhibit: Famous Writers And The Keys To Their Success

September 05, 2013

Abby Elizabeth Conway

A collection of typewriters formerly owned by some of the most iconic figures of the 20th century is on display now at Northeastern University's Gallery 360.

The "Celebrity Type" exhibit, which marks the collection's East Coast debut, features names as famous as Ernest Hemingway and as infamous as Theodore Kaczynski.

Collector Steven Soboroff says he has one guideline for whose typewriter he pursues. "It's got to be someone who knocks your socks off," he told News@Northeastern.

Soboroff's first typewriter, acquired in 2004, used to belong to Pulitzer Prize-winning sports journalist Jim Murray.

"I love people who are the best at what they do," Soboroff told the L.A. Times. "The idea that geniuses sat there and accomplished what they accomplished on these typewriters ... it gives me chills."

Soboroff will be at the exhibit's opening reception Thursday night from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Check out some of the featured typewriters below:

John Lennon's 1951 Imperial typewriter. (Northeastern University) — John Lennon's 1951 Imperial. (Northeastern University)

John Updike's 1967 Olympia 65-c. (Northeastern University)

Joe DiMaggio's 1934 Smith Corona Sterling. (Northeastern University)

Orson Welles' 1926 Sherwood 4-Bank typewriter. (Northeastern University) — Orson Welles' 1926 Sherwood 4-Bank. (Northeastern University)

Andy Rooney's 1929 Underwood No. 5. (Northeastern University)

Ernest Hemingway's 1929 Underwood Standard. (Northeastern University)

A letter Ernest Hemingway wrote on his Underwood Standard Portable 1929, also on display as part of the exhibit. (Northeastern University) — A letter Ernest Hemingway wrote on his 1929 Underwood Standard. (Click to enlarge)

Andrea Bocelli's Standard Perkins Brailler typewriter. (Northeastern University) — Andrea Bocelli's Standard Perkins Brailler. (Northeastern University)

A letter written by Jack Kevorkian on his Signature 300, also on display as part of the exhibit. (Northeastern University) — A letter written by Jack Kevorkian on his Signature 300, also on display as part of the exhibit. (Click to enlarge)

Gallery 360 is located in Northeastern's Ell Hall. The gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

This program aired on September 5, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

Experiences Visual Arts