Typewriters

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About Antique Typewriters

Typewriters became popular as a labor saving device in the late 1800's, and today, familiar names like Royal, Olympia, Underwood, Smith Corona, and Remington conjure images of 20th Century detective novels and smoky newsrooms.

Antique and vintage typewriters can also be very collectible, especially pre-WW2 models. But values vary widely, so do your homework before buying...

Many experimental typewriters were built and used during the first 75 years of the nineteenth century. But none were produced in quantity until Christopher Sholes, an American printer living in Milwaukee, came up with a successful design incorporating the “Qwerty” keyboard in 1874. He contracted with Remington to produce 1,000 of them that year, under the name Sholes & Glidden.

But that was not the end of experimentation in typewriter design, as hundreds of companies and individuals subsequently got into the business.

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Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Antique and Vintage Typewriter Collector Richard Polt

I started to get interested in typewriters around age 12. My dad and I stopped at a garage sale and he bought…  [more]

Guest Column: Collecting Early Typewriters of the Late 1800s

Collecting antique typewriters circa 1900 has been a wonderful experience for me over the years. My collectio…  [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

The Classic Typewriter Page

The Classic Typewriter Page

Richard Polt's celebration of the typewriter. Clean as a white sheet of bond paper, with stunning images, the site … [read review or visit site]

The Martin Howard Collection

The Martin Howard Collection

Martin Howard's crisp, visually stunning collection of early vintage typewriters and related accessories like ribbo… [read review or visit site]

Typewriters by Will Davis

Typewriters by Will Davis

Will Davis' impressive collection of microsites on antique typewriters includes in-depth information on portables, … [read review or visit site]

Virtual Typewriter Museum

Virtual Typewriter Museum

This comprehensive site, a group effort, features a huge and beautiful collection browsable by brand and era, plus … [read review or visit site]

Typewriter.be

Typewriter.be

For a whimsical and highly visual take on antique typewriters, check out this site. Wim Van Rompuy and Guy Pérard … [read review or visit site]

Early Office Museum

Early Office Museum

This site showcases pre-1920 office antiques, including paperweights, writing ink, paper fasteners, seal pressers, … [read review or visit site]


Got a site to suggest? Let us know.




Discussion Forums: Typewriters


Other Great Reference Sites: Typewriters

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Recent News: Typewriters

Source: Google News

In the Trade: Thor Konwin, Branford House Antiques, Brandon, Vermont

Maine Antique Digest
In the Trade: Thor Konwin, Branford House Antiques, Brandon, Vermont
Maine Antique Digest
It was during this period that Konwin, betting that typewriters would become the next big-money collectible, set out to corner the antique typewriter market ...

My Business: Patrons discover joy of finding FOUND in Ann Arbor

MLive.com
From vintage typewriter keys and buttons to useable artwork made of repurposed forks, Cambruzzi said she scours flea ...

Second Reading

Washington Post
Second Reading
Washington Post
Coming as they did from the typewriter of America's most notorious journalistic curmudgeon, these books delighted readers with their rich humor, ...

"Lone ranger station lives on"

Bend Bulletin
Its wood desks, vintage typewriter, specially made glass windows and new green linoleum floor conjure a 1940s US Forest Service ranger station. ...

Americana reigns in home decor, along with renewed patriotism

Akron Beacon Journal
And after a time when modern was the hot look, interest seems to be swinging back to antiques and vintage items, although Warady said many collectors are ...

The Charm Bracelet a Vintage Geek Could Love

GeekSugar.com
The Charm Bracelet a Vintage Geek Could Love
GeekSugar.com
But this Typewriter Charm Bracelet — made of various keys from vintage typewriters — is too cool, and even for me, age appropriate. ...

A Victorian and Deco Jewelry Feast

Examiner.com
A Victorian and Deco Jewelry Feast
Examiner.com
Many flea markets feature vintage/antique jewelry that can span the past 100+ years - from Victorian to Deco to Dime Store. On the corner of Row A, ...

Deals can be found in county, even at antique stores

Lancaster Eagle Gazette
Perhaps a typewriter or painting. All in all, I purchased nine items for less than $30 and they are all items I will enjoy and provide good conversation ...

Places for the kids, with carousels to ride

Boston Globe
Places for the kids, with carousels to ride
Boston Globe
A restored grand vintage marble fountain is just one of the park's icons. Kids love the Philly-themed mini-golf course, where they can putt through a scaled ...

Lovin' box scores, shortstops and one-pitch outs

ESPN
With the assistance of a crack band of Boston rockers, Gammons trades in his typewriter for a Stratocaster and delivers a rousing set of vintage classics, ...

Top eBay Auctions    (get weekly Typewriters email)

Status       Display       How this works
Rare National Antique Typewriter Patented 1886 Buy it Now$910.00 Ends Thursday 10 bids 42 watchers
Royal Deluxe Gold Plated Typewriter Mint Mint$405.00 Ends Tuesday 10 bids 27 watchers
Rare Antique Cased Imperial Series B Typewriter - 17410$401.02 Ends in 16 hours 32 bids 81 watchers
Antique Pope Mfg. World 2 Typewriter Pat. 1886$382.00 Ends Tuesday 7 bids 33 watchers
Old 1890 Odell Fancy Typewriter Nickel Plate Cast Iron$305.00 Ends Tuesday 10 bids 48 watchers
Blickensderfer Antique Typewriter Oak Case #7 Portable$107.50 Ends Sunday 5 bids 38 watchers
Vintage Corona Antique Typewriter ,rare , Wooden Case $102.50 Ends Monday 8 bids 5 watchers
Vintage Hammond Multiplex Typewriter W/ Oak Case &bonus$99.99 Ends Tuesday 1 bid 15 watchers
Rare Antique Vintage Hammond Multiplex Typewriter$99.95 Ends Thursday 1 bid 7 watchers
Antique Maroon Underwood Champion Typemaster Typewriter$76.00 Ends Monday 6 bids 11 watchers
Kit's School Desk & Swivel Chair,paper & Typewriter$70.00 Ends Sunday 1 bid 2 watchers
Hermes Rocket Baby Manual Typewriter Working$59.99 Ends in 23 hours 1 bid 10 watchers
Hermes 3000 Typewriter Cursive Script Clean $59.63 Ends Monday 7 bids 14 watchers
Corona 3 Portable Folding Typewriter 1918 Model Cased$57.29 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 12 watchers
Pre 1950's Era Underwood Typewriter$56.00 Ends in 11 hours 17 bids 11 watchers
Blickensderfer No 7 Antique Typewriter W/ Orig Oak Case$56.00 Ends in 16 hours 8 bids 36 watchers
Antique / Vintage L.c. Smith & Bros. No. 8 Typewriter$51.00 Ends Monday 2 bids 8 watchers
53 Antique Typewriter Keys Smooth Backs Black On White$50.00 Ends in 22 hours 6 bids 13 watchers
Antique Early 1900s Hammond 12 Typewriter With Case.$49.99 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 21 watchers
Folding Portable Typewriter 1920 Corona Antique Rare $49.00 Ends in 1 hour 1 bid 18 watchers
Brother Gx-6750 Electronic Typewriter(like New)$49.00 Ends in 13 hours 1 bid 1 watcher
Smith Corona Electric/portable Typewriter Model 250 Dle$42.00 Ends in 6 hours 1 bid 1 watcher
Antique 1913 Corona Typewriter ~~amazing Condition~~$39.99 Ends Monday 2 bids 10 watchers
Smith Corona Electronic Typewriter Xl 2700 In Box 1980s$39.99 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 1 watcher
C1930 Red Remington Portble Vintage Typewriter Wow!$35.00 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 7 watchers
48 Vintage Royal White Typewriter Keys$33.00 Ends Monday 3 bids 8 watchers
53 Unusual Pale Yellow Vintage Typewriter Keys$32.09 Ends in 21 hours 3 bids 17 watchers
Vintage Metal Toy: Mickey Mouse Club Typewriter$31.45 Ends in 1 hour 7 bids 9 watchers
Vintage Antique Underwood Typewriter & Polaroid Camera$31.00 Ends in 20 hours 11 bids 9 watchers
Remington Portable Model 5 Typewriter With Case Works!$29.99 Ends in 21 hours 1 bid 9 watchers
Vintage Olympia Portable Typewriter De Luxe Manual Mint$29.99 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 7 watchers
Vintage Royal Quiet De Luxe Portable Typewriter W/case$29.95 Ends in 22 hours 1 bid 6 watchers
Vintage Typewriter Keys-flat Backs-49 Keys$29.00 Ends in 23 hours 9 bids 4 watchers
Smith & Corona Vintage Silent 1930's Typewriter W/case$27.00 Ends in 20 hours 3 bids 6 watchers
Vintage Typewriter Keys Parts$27.00 Ends Wednesday 4 bids 12 watchers
Oliver No. 5 Standard Visible Antique Typewriter + Case$27.00 Ends Wednesday 2 bids 14 watchers
Vintage Smith Carona "sterling" Typewriter & Case$25.49 Ends in 15 hours 2 bids 4 watchers
Olivetti Studio 44 Portable Typewriter In Leather Case$24.66 Ends in 6 hours 3 bids 13 watchers
51 Antique Remington Cream & Red Typewriter Keys$22.37 Ends Tuesday 2 bids 5 watchers
46 Antique Vintage White Remington Typewriter Keys$21.50 Ends Tuesday 3 bids 15 watchers
Vintage Antique Typewriter Underwood #6 -10 Very Clean!$20.50 Ends Monday 4 bids 14 watchers
Vintage Royal Typewriter Yellow Keys 47 Keys$20.49 Ends Monday 2 bids 8 watchers
Smith Corona Super G Typewriter Design By Carmen Ghia$19.99 Ends in 20 hours 1 bid 16 watchers

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