Antique Typewriters: Identification and Value (Underwood, Royal, Olivetti)
IdentificationTypewriter collecting has grown substantially since 2010, driven by writers, decorators, and machinery enthusiasts. The most collectible typewriters span roughly 1880-1970, from early upstrike machines through the iconic mid-century portables to the last electromechanical models. This guide covers the manufacturers, model identification, condition factors, and value ranges that determine what a typewriter is worth on the current market.
The Major Manufacturers
Six manufacturers dominate the collectible typewriter market. UNDERWOOD (American, 1895-1980s) was the dominant office typewriter brand from the 1900s through 1950s. The Underwood No. 5 (introduced 1900) sold 5+ million units and is the iconic 'classic typewriter' shape. Most surviving Underwoods are this model. Value range: $80-300 working condition; $400-800 for early serial numbers, restored examples, or rare configurations. ROYAL (American, 1904-1980s) competed directly with Underwood. The Royal Quiet De Luxe portable (1939-1960s) is the most collectible Royal model — popular with writers including Ian Fleming and Ernest Hemingway. Value range: $100-400 working; $500-1,200 for excellent original examples. SMITH CORONA (American, 1886-2010s) made portables and electrics. The Smith Corona Silent (1940s-1950s) and Smith Corona Skyriter (lightweight portable) are popular collectibles. Value range: $60-250 working portables. REMINGTON (American, 1873-1990s) made the first commercially successful typewriter. Remington Standards from 1920s-1940s are common; the Remington Portable (1923) and Noiseless models are the more collectible variants. Value range: $80-300 working; up to $1,000 for early model 1 and model 2 (from 1870s-1880s, in good condition with original case). OLIVETTI (Italian, 1908-2000s) revolutionized industrial design with the Lettera 22 (1950) and Lettera 32 (1963). The Lettera 32 in colored versions (red, blue, green, white) is one of the most collectible portables — a design icon that commands $200-500 working, more if exceptionally clean. The Valentine (1969, designed by Ettore Sottsass, bright red plastic) is the most iconic Olivetti, valued at $400-1,200. HERMES (Swiss, 1923-1980s) and OLYMPIA (German, 1903-1990s) made high-quality portables. Hermes 3000 ('the writer's typewriter,' green) is highly collectible — $300-700 working. Olympia SM3 and SM4 portables are excellent machines, $200-450 working.
Identifying Manufacturer and Model
Most typewriters have a manufacturer name and model identifier visible on the front, side, or paper rest. Standard locations: • Front of carriage cover (Underwood, Royal, Olivetti, Hermes typically) • Top of the machine above the keyboard (Smith Corona, Remington often) • Paper rest decal (early models, art-deco era) • Serial number plate on the bottom or back of the machine If the visible branding is missing or damaged, the keyboard layout, frame design, ribbon mechanism, and carriage shape provide identification clues. Each manufacturer has distinct design vocabulary — the Underwood 5's curved metal arms and exposed metal keyboard, the Royal's flat-top body, the Olivetti's smooth pebble-shaped portable cases. Reference guides like Robert Messenger's typewriter database (oz.Typewriter blog) and the Typewriter Database wiki provide visual identification tools. Serial numbers are crucial for dating. Each manufacturer has known production records — entering a serial number into typewriterdatabase.com produces year of manufacture for most major brands. Year of manufacture combined with model determines collectibility tier.
Condition Factors That Drive Value
Condition matters enormously for typewriter value. Key factors: • WORKING CONDITION — does it type cleanly? Are all keys functional? Carriage shifts smoothly? Ribbon advances correctly? Working machines typically command 2-3x the price of decorative-only examples. • ORIGINAL CASE — many portables came with carrying cases. A typewriter with its original matching case is worth 30-50% more than one without. • ORIGINAL ACCESSORIES — original ribbons (typically dried out and replaced, but the original spool is collectible), brushes, manuals, oil bottles. Increase value 10-20%. • EXTERIOR CONDITION — paint quality, decals intact, no rust, no corrosion. Excellent original paint is more valuable than restored paint. • KEYBOARD — keys with intact key caps in original color; missing or yellowed keys reduce value substantially. • MECHANICAL CONDITION — type bars not bent or sticky, escapement mechanism functional, ribbon vibrator advancing. A pristine Olivetti Lettera 32 in original red with case and manual: $500-700. The same machine with cosmetic wear, no case, working but stiff: $150-250. A non-working but cosmetically beautiful Lettera 32: $200-300 (decorative value).
Most Collectible Typewriters by Era
Pre-1900 (UPSTRIKE ERA): Sholes & Glidden (1873) — extremely rare, museum-quality only, $5,000+. Remington No. 1 (1874-1878), $2,000-8,000 in good condition. Hammond Multiplex (1880s-1890s) with curved keyboard, $400-1,500. 1900-1920 (CLASSIC ERA): Underwood No. 5 — iconic, very common, $80-300 working. Oliver No. 9 (visible 'arrow-shaped' typebars), $150-400. L.C. Smith No. 8, $120-280. 1920-1940 (PORTABLE REVOLUTION): Corona No. 3 folding portable (1912-1941), $150-350. Remington Portable (1923), $200-500. Royal Quiet De Luxe pre-WWII versions, $200-450. 1940-1965 (MID-CENTURY GOLDEN AGE): This is the prime collectible era. Hermes 3000 ($300-700), Olivetti Lettera 22 and 32 ($200-500 each), Royal Quiet De Luxe ($200-400), Olympia SM3/SM4 ($200-450), Smith Corona Silent ($150-300). 1965-1980 (LATE PORTABLE ERA): Olivetti Valentine (Sottsass design, 1969), $400-1,200. Olympia SM9, $200-400. IBM Selectric (electric, 1961-), $80-300. 1980+ (DECLINE OF MECHANICAL): Late portables and electric machines, generally $30-150.
Reproductions and Common Issues
Typewriters are difficult to fake — the mechanical complexity makes counterfeiting unprofitable. However, common issues to watch for: • REPAINTED MACHINES sold as 'restored' — original paint is more valuable than restoration paint. Look for paint thickness, brush marks, and color matching. Original factory paint is thinner and more uniform than aftermarket repaints. • REPLACED PARTS — common in working machines. A machine with replaced ribbon vibrator, key caps, or platen is mechanically functional but loses some collector value. Disclosed replacements are acceptable; undisclosed are concerning. • MIXED-MODEL FRANKENSTEINS — particularly for popular models like the Olivetti Valentine, where the design is reproduced or assembled from non-matching parts. Authentic Sottsass Valentines have specific manufacturing details (case fit, hinge shape, keyboard alignment) that mismatch parts can't fake. • DRY-ROTTED RUBBER PARTS — feed rollers, platen, ribbon vibrator. Common after 50+ years. Replaceable but adds restoration cost. • SEIZED MECHANISMS — typewriters that haven't been operated in decades often have hardened oil that locks the mechanism. Carefully restorable but requires expertise. Always operate a typewriter before purchase if possible. A 5-minute trial typing reveals 90% of mechanical problems.
Buying and Selling Today
The typewriter market has migrated largely online. Major venues: • EBAY — largest selection, wide price range. Search by manufacturer + model. Beware of poorly-photographed listings — request additional photos and operation videos before bidding above $200. • ETSY — focused on decorative and craft buyers; prices often higher than eBay for similar items but better presented. • HEMINGWAY-RUNCH AUCTIONS — typewriter-specialist auctions periodically through major auction houses (Bonhams, Sotheby's for celebrity ownership pieces). • REGIONAL TYPEWRITER REPAIR SHOPS — increasingly few but those that survive often have inventory from estate purchases. Phoenix, NYC, San Francisco, London have known specialist shops. • ESTATE SALES AND AUCTIONS — best opportunity for finding overlooked machines at low prices, but condition is a gamble. For sellers, condition presentation drives price. Photograph in good light from multiple angles; type a sample sheet to demonstrate operation; note any known issues. A typewriter listing with a typed sample, multiple angle photos, and serial number commands 30-50% higher prices than a single-photo listing. Valued evaluates typewriter photographs (manufacturer, model, condition factors visible from photos) and provides current market value ranges based on recent eBay sold listings and auction records. Particularly useful for estate evaluations where the family doesn't know which of grandfather's typewriters is the $400 collector model and which is the $80 backup. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute appraisal advice.
Key Takeaways
- ★Six major makers dominate: Underwood, Royal, Smith Corona, Remington, Olivetti, Hermes/Olympia
- ★Underwood No. 5 is the most common 'classic typewriter' — $80-300 working condition
- ★Olivetti Lettera 32 (especially colored versions) and Valentine are top design-collectible models
- ★Working condition typically commands 2-3x non-working condition price
- ★Original case and accessories add 30-50% to value
- ★Mid-century portables (1940-1965) are the prime collectible era
- ★Pre-1900 typewriters are museum-quality rare; most surviving examples are 1900+
- ★typewriterdatabase.com provides serial-number-based dating for major brands
Frequently Asked Questions
Are typewriters worth anything?
Yes, but value varies enormously. Common Underwood, Royal, and Smith Corona office machines from 1920s-1950s typically sell for $80-300 working. Iconic mid-century portables (Olivetti Lettera 32, Hermes 3000, Royal Quiet De Luxe) sell for $200-700. Design-icon typewriters (Olivetti Valentine, late Royal Standards) can reach $1,000-1,500. Pre-1900 machines are rare and museum-quality — $2,000-8,000+ for the right buyer. Most 'grandma's old typewriter' is in the $80-300 range; specifically valuable models are uncommon.
How do I find out the year my typewriter was made?
Find the serial number — usually on a metal plate on the bottom of the machine, occasionally on the back or under the carriage. Then enter the manufacturer name and serial into typewriterdatabase.com or a brand-specific reference. Most major manufacturers have year-of-production records that match serial number ranges to specific years. The manufacturer + serial typically narrows the date to within a year or two.
Should I restore an old typewriter or sell it as-is?
Generally sell as-is. Original-condition typewriters (even if non-working) are more valuable to most collectors than restored examples. Restoration involves replacing parts, repainting, and refinishing — all of which reduce 'original collector value.' If the typewriter is mechanically seized, basic cleaning and lubrication (not restoration) may bring it back to working condition without affecting collector value. If it needs major work, sell to a buyer who plans to restore rather than restoring yourself.
Why are Olivetti Lettera and Valentine typewriters so valuable?
Industrial design history. The Lettera 22 (Marcello Nizzoli, 1950) and Lettera 32 (1963) are featured in MoMA's permanent design collection. The Valentine (Ettore Sottsass, 1969) is one of the most celebrated industrial design objects of the 20th century. Their value comes from design provenance, not just typewriting function. The Italian colorful designs (red, blue, green) command 30-50% more than black or beige variants because the color and design were the entire point of these machines.
Can I still get ribbons for old typewriters?
Yes, for most major brands. Standard ribbons for Underwood, Royal, Smith Corona, and Olivetti are still in production from companies like Ribbons Unlimited, Mytypewriter.com, and various eBay sellers. More obscure manufacturers (Hammond, Oliver) require specialty ribbons or custom-cut cloth ribbons that are harder to source but still available. Ribbons typically cost $10-25 per ribbon and last 6-18 months of regular use.
Can Valued help me identify and value a typewriter?
Yes. Photograph the typewriter from multiple angles including the keyboard, side profile, and serial number plate (bottom of machine). Valued identifies the manufacturer and model, estimates year of production from visible details, evaluates visible condition factors, and provides a current market value range based on recent comparable sales. Distinguishes design-icon models (Valentine, Lettera 32) from common office machines. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute appraisal advice.
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