Buy Vintage Typewriters

Typewriters were standard office equipment in America and Europe from around 1890 to 1980. Remington typewriters introduced the "QWERTY" keyboard that is still used on computer keyboards today. Older, manual (non-electric) typewriters command increasingly higher prices since they are no longer in production today. Older typewriters are maintained for use, staged for decoration, or deconstructed for various art projects. If you are looking for a manual typewriter, then there are a number of places that sell them today. Shopping for typewriters requires some knowledge of the product and its value. Read, starting at Step 1, to find out how to buy vintage typewriters.

Steps

Learning the Typewriter Market

1. Understand the value of a vintage typewriter before you begin to shop. Doing research can save you money in the end, and the following information can help you get started:
   • Vintage typewriters are generally those made before 1920. These machines can often command a price between $300 and $10,000.
   • There are a number of vintage typewriters that use other methods than the "QWERTY" keyboard. These command much higher prices.
   • Common American typewriter models include: Remington, Royal, Underwood, and Smith Corona. A popular German brand is the Olympia. Other vintage models to look for are the Blickensderfer, Hammond and Oliver.
   • The Underwood number 5 is possibly the most common vintage typewriter on the market today. It was mass-produced for the first half of the 20th century. It is renowned for being convenient, fairly light and striking.
   • It is rare to find a typewriter for less than $100 (64 pounds, 74 euros). Jewelry makers are willing to pay that much to deconstruct a typewriter's keyboard and use the keys for jewelry. A typewriter under $100 is very unlikely to work, and it may need to be refurbished.
2. Buy a typewriter collecting book, or borrow 1 at the library. Some good titles for research are American Typewriters: A Collector's Encyclopedia by Paul Lippman or Antique Typewriters: From Creed to QWERTY by Michael Adler.
3. Know typewriter terminology. This will help you determine if a typewriter is in need of a major repair, or a simple replacement. Become familiar with the keys, type bars, carriage, platen, ribbon and carriage return mechanism.
4. Use extreme caution before buying typewriters off the Internet. Unless the typewriter is listed on a collector website, it is unlikely the person is qualified to determine the condition of the typewriter. A "like-new" typewriter, listed on eBay, may be broken and require several hundred dollars of refurbishing before it can work.
   • Typewriters are bulky and heavy. They can be easily damaged during shipment. If you buy an old typewriter online, be sure you can return it if it is packaged poorly and damaged upon arrival.

Buying a Typewriter

1. Begin shopping at local pawn shops. Pawn shops in both cities and small towns often have typewriters in fairly good condition. Although pawn sellers often have a good grasp on what a typewriter is worth, you may be able to barter to get a lower price.
2. Shop at antique malls or stores for working typewriters. Antiques dealers are aware of the value of antique typewriters, so it is likely that they would sell you something in very good condition.
3. Visit estate sales or garage sales. People who worked in an office during the last century, often used typewriters at home. It is not uncommon to find an Underwood at an advertised estate sale or garage sale.
4. Keep track on eBay auctions for vintage typewriters. Ebay typewriter auction can be a gamble, because there is no guarantee of condition. There is a wide selection, but overbidding is very common.
5. Buy from a trusted online seller like VintageTypewriterShoppe.com or MrTypewriter.com. These sites guarantee their typewriters and offer a wide variety. Prices for typewriters in working order may be more expensive and include a high shipping price, but it may save you on repair costs.
6. Look on the Freecycle network or craigslist for free or low-cost typewriters. Freecycle.org connects groups that give items away, and Craigslist's classified encourage low prices for people looking to get rid of items quickly. These typewriters are ideal for repurposing because they are likely to be in poor condition.

Tips

• Find a local shop that can do typewriter repairs, if you plan to use the typewriter. Refurbishing can cost upwards of $50 (32 pounds, 37 euros), depending upon the problem. Manual typewriters are often in need of repair, because they have many moving parts.
• Be prepared to clean and oil your typewriter after purchasing it. Most sellers will not do this, since they don't know what it will be used for.
• Most 1940s and later take the same width/size ribbon, but a few require non-standard spools. This means you need to have spools that fit the specific typewriter to transfer the ribbon from standard spools onto.

Related Articles

• Buy a Typewriter
• Use a Typewriter
• Clean Antique Typewriters
• Change a Typewriter Ribbon
• Use a Manual Typewriter

Sources and Citations

• http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/an-interview-with-antique-and-vintage-typewriter-collector-richard-polt/
• http://www.antiqbuyer.com/typewriters.html

See also

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• Antique Brass
• Clean Sterling Silver with Baking Soda and Aluminum
• Clean Antique Furniture
• Identify Antique Dinnerware
• Price Antiques and Collectibles
• Run an Art Gallery
• Test Silver
• Tell Ivory from Bone

What links here

• Make Stationery
• Use a Manual Typewriter