Catalina, Ribbon shelf live depends on the ribbon material, how heavily it was inked, and if in storage it was not exposed to air. The life really varies on a typewriter, unless it was refreshed with WD-40, the only thing WD-40 is good for with typewriters. I have some ribbons I refreshed 10 years ago and they are out on typewrites and still work fine. Good cotton ribbons from Tony Casillo las several years on a machine also. The thin nylon ones sold on Ebay and many other places dry out.
Kent, the real test is when you start eating trees like Euell Gibbons.
Catalina, Ribbon shelf live depends on the ribbon material, how heavily it was inked, and if in storage it was not exposed to air. The life really varies on a typewriter, unless it was refreshed with WD-40, the only thing WD-40 is good for with typewriters. I have some ribbons I refreshed 10 years ago and they are out on typewrites and still work fine. Good cotton ribbons from Tony Casillo las several years on a machine also. The thin nylon ones sold on Ebay and many other places dry out.
Kent, the real test is when you start eating trees like Euell Gibbons.