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So You Want to Buy a Typewriter?

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Are you in the market for a typewriter and don’t know where to start?

This post is geared towards someone who wants to begin using a working machine rather than buying one to repair; someone just dipping their toe in the waters of typewriter use.

I’ll be giving away a typewriter to one Paperblogging email subscriber, later in 2023.

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‘So Where Do I Begin?’

Start by asking yourself some questions.

  1. What are your purposes for this machine?

  2. What size suits your purpose: ultra-portable, mid-sized portable, or a huge desktop office machine?

  3. What era of typewriter are you after? Does it really matter to you?

  4. Is there a typewriter repair shop nearby? What other local sources are there for finding a typewriter? Then search online.

  5. How much are you willing to spend?

So, Why Are You Buying a Typewriter?

Do you want a decorative piece? Or a heavy duty working machine for daily writing? A machine for kids to enjoy or for classroom use? An historic artifact? Or an occasional light use machine for letters and labels only? Check out 27 Ways I Use a Typewriter for other possibilities.

Define your needs and you’ll eliminate a large number of available machines and avoid potential disappointment when the machine doesn’t work for your needs.

I initially thought I was looking for a 1930s Remington 5 Streamlined for my first typewriter. The shiny, curvy, art deco look was appealing. My husband was buying me a birthday gift and realizing we were blessed with a typewriter store locally, called and had a lovely Rem 5 set aside.

I went in and tried it. At the time I was struggling with a serious health issue and it took a good amount of concentration and typing for me to figure out that this machine was not what I was after. Tom Furrier of Cambridge Typewriter patiently asked me several questions, then pulled out an Olympia SM9, a late model. Although I liked its sturdy engineering, it was too plain for my tastes at the time. Back and forth through several machines we went, then Tom brightened. “This came in this morning!” and he rummaged through the disheveled pile of cases near the door. “Nothing on it works but I can get it fixed for you by the end of the week. It’s the color I have in my own collection.”

I only had to look at the curvy, silver yet wooden, space-age case to be interested. Inside was a filthy yellow and burgundy Olympia SM3 from the mid-50s, most keys immovable, but oh, those keys were burgundy bakelite! Despite the heavy lift of the carriage shift, and the fact I couldn’t even try it, I knew I’d found my beloved machine.

It now works as good as new and is a machine to keep out on a desk and use constantly. It fits the ‘pleasant to look at, but beautiful to use’ criteria I didn’t know was mine til I started looking.

Now I know that for me, usability matters more than appearance or rarity and every machine I own is in as full a working condition as possible, ready for serious use.

What are you after?

Size?

How are you planning to use this machine? Always on the go? An ultra-portable will fit the bill, but won’t be as sturdy. Never going to move it? You could try a huge behemoth desktop if you have the space.

However, a midsize portable fits the bill for many since these machines are still light enough to transport, are sturdier than the tiny ultras, and often have the full features of an office machine. Another factor in their favor: any portable machine usually has a case. The case will likely have taken the dirt and beating of storage more than an out-in-the-open desktop machine.

How Old?

My best working and most reliable machines for serious daily use happen to be from the 1950s to the 1970s, but that is a matter of opinion and is what meets my own typewriter purposes. They include these excellent models:

  • 1950 Olivetti Lettera 22 (Italian)

  • 1956 Olympia SM3 (German)

  • 1957 Smith-Corona Super-Silent (American)

  • 1968 Olympia SM8 (German)

  • 1970 Hermes 3000 (Swiss)

But I am in love with the typewriters of the 20s and 30s. Despite not purchasing the Remington #5, my favorites now include the earlier, snappy-to-use, Remington Portable #2 and #3.

There is a certain vibe to each era of machine and you get to choose which suits you.

You can find out the year of your machine once you have it, or browse and learn about different models, using the Typewriter Database. You’ll need to find the serial number stamped on the frame on your typewriter or under the carriage to one side or the other, then follow the instructions at the database to find its year and sometimes even month of manufacture.

Typewriter Sources, Local and Online

So where should you look for a machine?

Locally, Facebook Marketplace can be a rich source of finds, at many price points, if you have a Facebook account. (While you’re at it, you can join the public Antique Typewriter Collectors group there and celebrate your find, commiserate on a machine poorly shipped, or look for opinions on a specific model.)

Craigslist, thrift stores and antique shops are a potential source as well. But these are all likely to be unrestored models, as are the typewriters at the auction site Shop Goodwill, under the category Office Supplies.

A good place to start with a first typewriter, whether online or in person, is with a reconditioned model, directly from a typewriter store or experienced online seller. A reconditioned machine will cost more but it should work. Any time I buy directly from someone who restored a machine with their hard-earned expertise, I’m happy to pay extra and help them stay in business.

Online, there are specific stores on eBay and Etsy run by sellers who restore typewriters. Also there are the general websites of physical typewriter stores.

Restored Machines

The following sell restored machines.

In the UK, I recommend:

In the US, try:

If you’re in the Bremerton area near Seattle, Washington, you have two physical typewriter stores to choose from! A veritable mecca.Try the venerable

If stocks are low, as they seem to be for some of these sites at the time of writing, contact the seller to see what they have in the works, or to put in a request.

A few typewriter-specific Etsy stores include:

Finally, the shop Typewriter Stuff on Etsy is a great place for new ribbons, especially if you’re looking for unusual colors.

This is not a definitive list but the above should be plenty to check out to get you started.

I am also not experienced with sellers of restored typewriters on eBay. If you have any store recommendations, I’ll gladly update this post.

Other Typewriter Repair Shops

If you do find a golden oldie machine in the wild, or have one handed down from a beloved relative, and want the machine serviced, there’s a handy list of typewriter technicians here listed by country around the world and in the US by state. Many of these also sell machines they’ve refurbished.

When getting a machine fixed or buying one reconditioned, a new platen (the rubber roller around which the paper is fed, whose springiness partly defines noise and print quality) is usually an extra cost. A second sheet of paper, behind the one you’re writing on, helps cushion the sound but some rubber platens have become so rock solid as to be almost concussion-inducing. My Olympia SM3, for example. I recently replaced the platen with a newly re-covered one and the difference is terrific.

Pricing

There is no Blue Book-style list of typical typewriter prices, though many wish there were. If you find a machine you like and it’s worth it to you, then pay for it. Don’t worry if you hear of a juicier bargain found by someone else for the same machine. But if a typewriter is outside your budget, don’t worry either. Something more affordable but beloved will come along.

I have paid in the $300s for a reconditioned, desirable machine. Many rare and wonderful typewriters command many more hundreds of dollars. I’ve also had machines donated free to my writing workshop for teens. Some I’ve fixed myself so their cost has been minimal, but not in time.

Be careful about getting overexcited in an online auction on eBay or ShopGoodwill.com and spending way more than you intended.

Beware Shipping!

Any time you have a machine shipped, and especially if it’s from someone inexperienced in packaging a typewriter, you run the risk of serious damage. Check the other listings of the seller. Do they specialize in typewriters or is this a random find they’re getting rid of?

Wrapping instructions can be found here:

I acquired the 1930s Royal of a local hero Red Sox baseball player, a delightful fluke find on eBay. I was not going to pass it up even if the shipper was inexperienced with typewriters. It had been listed by a seller who was dealing with the player’s estate, and though experienced on eBay, had only ever shipped one typewriter. Yikes! I asked if they minded being given shipping instructions. They were very gracious, said the instructions were helpful, and followed them carefully. The machine arrived safely but I opened it with bated breath, waiting to see loose pieces.

One of my kids who lives across the country had Tom Furrier revitalize a behemoth Underwood #5 they’d had as a teenager and ship it to their west coast home. Despite years of experience, he was very concerned it would not arrive safely and had to be reassured repeatedly that the giant machine really had arrived unscathed, which it had.

The Shipped Typewriter That Made It!

This beautiful machine, owned by Bobby Doerr, Red Sox Hall of Fame second baseman, now works fully. You can see it on the workbench at Cambridge Typewriter here.

[click any image to enlarge] The newspaper wrapped around the platen was a sports article dating from 1984, probably when the machine was put into final storage.

But the problem of shipping is solved if you can buy a typewriter in person. Another benefit: you can touch and see (and smell!) the machine and pick up on any clues (or smells of mold) that photos don’t show.

A Writer’s Guide to Typewriters

In the interests of space, I’m not going to discuss the merits of different models.

Daniel Marleau’s blog Typewriter Review: A Writer’s Guide to Typewriters is a helpful overview, particularly if heavy duty writing is your thing. There are numerous reviews of different machines but especially check out his post, the Top 10 Writerly Typewriters.

Half the fun is in the chase, looking and learning about the fascinating options, especially once you define what price you’re hoping to pay and what purpose you’re aiming to fill.

And a Video from Joe Van Cleave

A brief discussion between repairman Bob Marshall of Typewriter Muse, and Joe Van Cleave of the Typewriter Video Series. Their advice on choosing and buying a typewriter. (Click here to respond directly to Joe or like the video.)

Remember to Ask Questions First

 
“What is your purpose for this machine?

What size suits your purpose?

What era of typewriter?

Is there a typewriter repair shop nearby? What other local sources are there? Then check online sellers.

How much are you willing to spend? ”
— Paperblogging
 

I’d love to hear from you!

Looking for typewriter buying advice? Feel free to leave a comment and I’ll see if I can help.

Or are you an experienced typewriter collector? I’d love to hear your advice for the beginner who doesn’t know where to start, or your recommendation for a seller I haven’t mentioned.

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