Truman Capote's typewriter added to Soboroff collection

Los Angeles collector Steve Soboroff has scored another gem for his collection of typewriters used by prominent figures: Truman Capote's electric Smith-Corona. According to Soboroff, Capote purchased the Electra 110 model in LA in 1970 and kept it in his writing room at the Bel Air home of close friend Joanne Carson. Capote used the typewriter for his final three books, Soboroff says. Capote died at Carson's home in 1984 and the typewriter has not been used since then. Soboroff acquired the typewriter from Carson.

Other typewriters in the Soboroff collection include those of Ray Bradbury, Ernest Hemingway, Jack London, George Bernard Shaw and John Lennon — and Andrea Bocelli's Braille typing machine. Soboroff added an Hermes portable from Tom Hanks earlier this month. The typewriter collection tours the United States to raise money for journalism scholarships.

Joanne Carson with the typewriter at home.