The vintage typewriter is making a comeback. Humans have been swept up in the digital age for some 40 years now.
The advent of personal computers, digital cameras, commercial equipment, and more has changed human life beyond our ancestor’s wildest dreams.
The speed of innovation sees no end, and what was once science fiction is now both tangible and virtual reality.
The Rise of the Vintage Typewriter
We are talking about the old fashioned typewriter. For many, it’s a severely outdated contraption with no use in the modern world outside of being a museum piece. Yet, for some, vintage typewriters have untapped value.
The old typewriter has seen an uptick in popularity in recent years and many people look to own one for a variety of reasons.
Why Vintage Typewritters?
Some wish to collect antique typewriters as valuable keepsakes. Others wish to find retro typewriters to complement their style and the trendy steam-punk décor.
And then there are the individuals who acquire the tactile experience of typing directly to paper, to match the great writers of the past.
With the distraction of the modern digital world, writers look to vintage typewriters as an escape. The pretty, unique, and elegant writing machines of yesteryear are coming back with a vengeance as the next hot collectible.
Return to the Good Ole Days
The humble typewriter gives writers a medium to connect their words to the page and feel the weight of the keys under their fingers.
The sound of metal levers and cogs fills their dwellings like gentle rain in the absence of smartphone beeps and flashing screens.
We’ll uncover a brief history of the typewriter, the most successful brands, and what to look for when searching for a vintage typewriter of your very own.
- A Brief History of the Typewriter.
- Most Famous Brands and Their Value.
- Why Purchase or Collect Vintage Typewriters?
- How to go About Purchasing a Vintage Typewriter.
A Brief History of the Typewriter
The typewriter has been a feature in human life since the late 19th century. Even though the standardized design only came into production in the early 1920s, the first patents go as far back as the early 18th century.
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device that uses keys to imprint words onto a sheet of paper.
For most of the 20th century, the typewriter was an essential tool in business, education, publishing, and for artistic pursuits in writing.
However, by the 1980s, the development of the personal computer and the word processor quickly made the typewriter obsolete.
Word processing software made the mechanical or electric typewriter slow and cumbersome and allowed for the transmission of information directly to a network.
Who Invented the Typewriter?
The typewriter does not have a single origin. No one person historically is credited with the invention of the typewriter.
Moreover, historians have approximated that typewriter inventions had 52 different forms over the centuries.
Inventor Henry Mill
The concept of the typewriter we know today first came into existence in 1714. A British inventor named Henry Mill received the first patent for a machine that is close to what we know as a typewriter.
The title of his patent was labeled, “Impressing Writing on Parchment.” However, this machine was never built. Pellegrino Turri was another early investor who produced a working prototype but has not survived.
Agostino Fantoni
Some credit Agostino Fantoni for inventing the typewriter in 1802. He developed a typing machine to help his blind sister. Soon after, in 1829, a device called the “Typographer” was invented by Willian Austin Burt.
The machine was still slower than writing by hand and Burt never managed to put his machine into production. By 1855, Italian inventor Giuseppe Ravizza built a prototype called the “Cembalo scrivano o macchina da scrivere a tasti.”
This was the first machine that allowed the typist to see the words as they typed.
The Hansen Writing Ball
The 1860s saw more development with different typewriter patents being issued to different inventors.
In Brazil, priest Francisco João de Azevedo created the typewriter to high acclaim, while in Denmark, Rev. Rasmus Malling-Hansen invented the Hansen Writing Ball. His machine was the first typewriter that went into production in 1870.
Malling-Hansen placed letters on short pistons that worked directly through a ball mechanism and onto paper.
Faster Than Pencil to Paper
The placement of the letters coincided with the letters most frequently struck, which made the machine faster than a pencil to paper.
Another one of the first commercially successful typewriters goes to three inventors from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Sholes, Soule, and Glidden
In 1867, Christopher Sholes, Samuel W. Soule, and Carlos Glidden collaborated on the invention but later sold the patent to Densmore and Yost.
The famous sewing machine company E. Remington and Sons diversified their business and took on the Sholes and Glidden Typewriter in 1873.
Standardizing the Typewriter
Standardization in typewriter design came about in the early 1920s. All manual typewriters followed the basic concept of each key attached to a typebar with the corresponding letter striking the paper.
When a typist strikes a key, the type bar hits an ink fabric ribbon in front of a cylindrical platen. The platen rolled a sheet of paper, rotated by a lever on the left of the machine called a “carriage return lever.”
The advent of electric typewriters only became prominent commercially around the mid-1960s.
Edison and the Electric Typewriter
However, the first ideas and designs go back almost a hundred years earlier to the Universal Stock Ticker, invented by Thomas Edison in 1870.
The first authentic electric typewriter was invented in 1902 by the Blickenderfer Manufacturing Company.
It never became a commercial product, but it was the first machine to use a typewheel instead of individual typebars. While innovative, the machine never caught the interest of businesses or personal users.
Valuable Vintage Typewriter Brands & Models
A vintage manual typewriter has become a collector item in recent years. As typewriters have a long history, many famous brands enjoyed commercial success during their time.
We’ll take a look at some of the oldest vintage typewriter brands and what you could expect to pay at your local auction house.
1. Hansen Writing Ball – 1878
The first iterations of modern typewriters were oddly shaped compared to what we know and love today.
The world record for the most expensive vintage typewriter sold goes to the 1878 Hansen Writing Ball at $123,125.
2. Underwood Typewriter – 1897
The Underwood brand was successful in its day. The Wagner Typing Company produced Underwood, and the earlier models can sell for over $1000. The Underwood models from around the 1920s can fetch a price of around $500.
3. E. Remington and Sons – 1873
Remington became a household name for typewriters. The very first Remington model that hit the market was called the “No. 1 Old style” and originally sold for $47.50.
The Remington portable typewriter was one of the most popular models. By the 1930s, Remington produced the “visual typewriter,” you could see the paper while typing (a revelation at that time). In 2014, a Remington No. 1 sold for $27,000.
4. Oliver Typewriters – 1895
The Chicago-based company produced one of the best vintage manual portable typewriters of its time. Oliver is known as the first commercially successful visual typewriter.
Oliver typewriters from the early 20th century can sell for over $500 in good working condition.
5. Smith Corona Typewriters – 1903
Before L.C. Smith & Bros merged with Corona, Lyman C. Smith established their company in 1903.
Twenty years later, L.C. Smith merged with Corona, creating Smith-Corona. The new partnership made a wide selection of typewriters, some featuring elaborate metal levers and circular type sections.
The Corona 3
The Corona 3 typewriter became a hit with buyers as it was compact and folded into a carry box for easy portability. Even though it’s one of the most common typewriters, a Corona in good condition can sell for over $300.
The Smith Corona Silent typewriter was released in 1934. It was quiet, as you might suspect by the name, because of the ‘Smith Floating Shift’ feature built into the typewriter.
There was the Smith Corona Sterling with its green keys and round corners. It wasn’t a flashy typewriter but was known as reliable and trustworthy.
6. Olympia Typewriters – 1903
Olympia typewriters began from an established German company in 1903 looking to take advantage of the fast-growing typewriter market. Their first model was the Olympia Mignon, which didn’t sell as expected.
Eventually, the parent company, AEG, developed the Model 3 in 1921 with some success. It wasn’t until they released the Olympia in 1951 that sales would take off.
Mercedes Benz of Typewriters
Otherwise known as the ‘Mercedes Benz of Typewriters,’ the Olympia SM3 & SM4 became big sellers by mid-century. In the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, they were the most expensive typewriters for sale at that time, so they were usually well cared for by their owners.
Vintage 1950s Olympia SM3 typewriters in excellent condition sell today for $300 on Etsy and eBay.
7. The Hermes 3000 – 1958
The Swiss company, Paillard, developed one of the finest typewriters of its time in 1958. The Hermes 3000 typewriter model was popular with writers from all walks of life.
Sylvia Plath, Jack Kerouac, Adrienne Rich, and Larry McMurtry, all used the Hermes 3000 while writing their works.
The writing machine was so beloved that Larry McMurtry, writer of Brokeback Mountain, thanked his typewriter during his 2006 Golden Globes acceptance speech.
Famous Writers on the Hermes
John Steinbeck, Matt Groening, Sam Shepard. More Hermes 3000 users who loved their classic typewriter. Vintage Hermes 3000 typewriters currently sell for $350.
There are many other influential vintage typewriter brands beyond the five we mentioned above.
The Royal Quiet Deluxe manual portable typewriter was produced by Royal Typewriter Company in the 1940s and 50s. This particular machine happened to be the typewriter of choice by Ernest Hemingway.
8. Olivetti Underwood Lettera 32 – 1963
Cormac McCarthy wrote more than 5 million words on his Lettera 32. In 2009, his 1963 Olivetti Lettera 32 sold at a Christie’s auction for $254,000.
The Lettera was geared for speed, lightweight for portability, and generally known as one of the most beautiful and precise typing machines ever made.
9. Remington Rand Model 5 Deluxe – 1940
One of the most well-known American typewriter manufacturers produced the Rand Model from 1940 to 1947. The modern, rounded design makes the Remington Rand a desirable collector item for vintage typewriter hunters.
Vintage models in good condition can be found on eBay for less than $100.
There are many other influential vintage typewriter brands. The antique Royal Quiet Deluxe manual portable typewriter was produced by the Royal Typewriter Company in the 1940s and 50s. This particular machine happened to be the typewriter of choice by Ernest Hemingway.
10. Royal Vintage Typewriter – 1920
This classic Royal antique typewriter includes the case and is still in perfect working order.
You can find similar Royal models on eBay for $50 to $80. For an old fashioned, yet sophisticated addition to any vintage collection, this is a deal you cannot miss. Over time, these antique typewriters will become more and more rare, increasing their value.
Vintage Typewriter Paper
If you own a vintage typewriter, you should take the time to find the proper paper for your original vintage machine.
What you need is paper that’s extra absorbent and thicker than typical printer paper, so the print is clear and crisp. The cotton paper performs well with the classic Courier M typewriter typeface and is recommended for vintage typewriter use.
Why Purchase or Collect Vintage Typewriters?
We have only scratched the surface of typewriter brands and their wide range of designs and features.
Now that old typewriters have gained interest again, why would you purchase or collect a vintage typewriter, and what are the price ranges?
- Design: Some individuals enjoy the retro design of vintage typewriters. If you’re looking for vintage items with an old-world theme, having a vintage typewriter can add to your interior design aesthetic.
- Practical use: In some parts of the world where access to reliable electricity is in short supply, the typewriter can provide a solution. Typing skills are crucial in the job market, and getting students to learn about typewriters is a sure way to prepare them for computer work.
- The collector’s value: Vintage typewriters have the potential to sell for large amounts. The value locked inside the beautiful machine is a timestamp in history. Those collecting typewriters will do it out of pure interest in the historical legacy and fascination with the mechanics and designs. Whether you’re looking in thrift stores, garage sales, or online with eBay, hunting for great vintage typewriters is a thrilling pursuit if you know how to spot a gem.
- Writers looking for a different experience: Some writers wish to hone their craft on a more tactile machine than a sophisticated laptop. Some writers enjoy the use of vintage fountain pens because of their feel and beauty while crafting their words. Vintage typewriter fans have similar feelings for the simplicity of the craft. If you are traveling into the wilderness and have no electricity access, a typewriter is a handy tool. Also, with people looking to leave flashing computer screens behind now and then, the typewriter may provide the answer.
Old vintage and antique typewriters sell for a wide range of prices. For just a couple hundred dollars you can find one-hundred-year-old classic typewriters that actually still work.
The rarer and higher quality machine, the higher price you will pay.
How to Buy a Vintage Typewriter
Now that you know a little more about vintage typewriters, how should you go about finding and buying one? There are several factors you need to consider when purchasing a typewriter for the first time.
First, even though we are focusing on antique typewriters, they are still manufactured today. Brands like Royal Classic are available from most retail websites like Amazon and Staples.
For vintage typewriters, there are both manual versions and electric versions.
The two common types of typewriters are desktops and portables.
Desktops are durable, full-size machines made for office or home use. They can be heavy at over 20 pounds and can handle frequent use.
Portables are smaller portable typewriters. They lack all the features of desktop typewriters and are less reliable.
Valuing Vintage Typewriters
Then, consider the following points when looking for a typewriter:
- Age: Typically, the oldest vintage typewriter will have the highest price. But that’s not a rule set in stone, there are certain newer models that have high values as well.
- Condition: Be sure to check if the typewriter keys stick. Is there a new ribbon installed? Does paper feed easily? Is there availability of spare parts? Any antique typewriter with the original carrying case will have a much higher value. An antique typewriter in excellent condition which has been maintained with extraordinary care will command the highest values.
- Brand: Some brands carry a legacy and history, which will increase their value. Some are rarer than others, so it pays to do your research.
- Owner’s Manual: Typewriters need to be cleaned and maintained. Having the original owner’s manual can save you time figuring out how to care for your typewriter. Also, the original owner’s manual can add to the overall price.
Here are a few tips to help assess the condition of a vintage typewriter:
1. The decals must be legible and in good condition.
2. Check for excessive service rust.
3. Mechanical parts must be original.
4. The platting should be unpitted and original.
5. All mechanisms must be in working typewriter order.
6. If portable, the original case should be in good condition.
7. Make sure to acquire proper shipping methods if bought online.
Vintage Typewriter Collecting
Vintage typewriters are no longer dusty artifacts for the museum. Today, typewriters are regarded as a work of art, and valuable collectibles preserving the legacy and history of writing in modern times.
The sound of the metal mechanisms and the smell of fresh ink capture the tactile feel of writing lost with modern technology.
There is a growing interest in typewriters from machines for efficient daily writing, collectors looking for value, and even home decor items to bring a retro look to a space.
With enough time and research, you can find the best typewriter to bring you back to the precious and innocent past world of writing.
What is a Steampunk Typewriter?
You wouldn’t believe this, but there is a growing movement in reconfiguring computers with old-school vintage typewriter keyboards. I didn’t believe it myself when I stumbled on it. But it’s real.
The Vintage Typewriter Returns
Digital devices like computers take once time-consuming tasks and streamline them to improve quality and speed. However, the advances and efficiency do have a drawback. Something is lost when a once analog process becomes digital.
In the music industry, digital recordings lack the warmth and texture of some analog recordings. Movie aficionados search far and wide for old film reels to experience the film footage in its raw form.
Old-World Machines
Classic car enthusiasts and steam locomotive purists seek the sounds, smells, and personalities while experiencing rides in old-world machines.
There is something about the old that captures our imagination. The intrigues of past machines and artistic craftsmanship satisfy our need for rustic and ornate.
The past several years have seen another relic rise from partial obscurity that in the grander scheme of things was not too long ago.
Electric Typewriters
The designs and developments of electric typewriters took many forms, but they only archived prominence with the work of IBM.
IBM brought out the Selectric typewriter, which replaced the typebar design with a golf ball-sized spherical mechanism.
An electric motor operated a selection of latches, pulleys, and metal tapes to rotate the spherical mechanism to strike against the platen.
The typeball design eliminated key jamming, and users could remove the typeball to allow for multiple fonts. Later IBM models included the Selectric Composer and the more affordable Electronic Typewriter 50.
Improving, Optimizing, Streamlining
These models made improvements in proportional spacing, margin justification, correction features, and replacing ink fabric ribbons with carbon film typewriter ribbons.
By the 1980s, several hybrid typewriters with computer features made their way onto the market. These generations of typewriters had keyboards like our modern personal computer keyboards.
The development of thermal transfer devices used in thermal label printers was incorporated into these typewriters.
The innovation in printing technology coupled with word processing software quickly put the typewriter out of business in the late 1980s.
Some of My Favorite Vintage Typewriter Facts and Figures
We’re not finished yet! There’s still tons more to learn about the amazing old typewriters of days gone by.
Did you know that –
- The original plan for the typewriter was only to stamp page numbers on books. They soon realized the amazing machine could also stamp letters, words, sentences, and entire paragraphs!
- The QWERTY keyboard layout developed in 1874 because commonly used letters were too close together and jamming in the typewriter. Sholes & Glidden typewriters were the first to feature the QWERTY keyboard that everyone today knows and loves.
- The word QWERTY is from the first six letters across the top-left of the keyboard.
- Many of the earliest typewriters featured a bell to alert typists they were approaching the end of their page and would need to start a new row.
- Henry Mill was issued the first patent for the typewriter in 1714. He called his invention the, “Machine for Transcribing Letters.”
- The first ever book submitted for publishing using a typewriter was, ‘Life on the Mississippi’ by Mark Twain.
- The first electric typewriter was invented by none other than Thomas Edison in 1870.
- The Guinness World Record for fastest person to type the alphabet from A to Z with a space between each letter was SK Ashraf in 2017. He completed the entire alphabet in 3.37 seconds.
