Discover The Hidden Gems How To Determine The Value Of Your Vintage Typewriters

Collectors love typewriters for their engineering, typography, and connection to writers and eras. But values vary widely—from a $40 desk curiosity to a five-figure trophy. If you’re an antiques or art appraisal enthusiast, the secret to fair pricing is method: look beyond nostalgia to market demand, condition, rarity, originality, function, and evidence-based comparables. This guide shows you how to appraise vintage typewriters with the rigor of a specialist.

Know What the Market Wants: Brands, Models, and Eras

Demand is the strongest driver of value. Some machines are blue-chip collectibles, others are charming but common.

• Brands with consistent demand:

  • Hermes: Especially the Hermes 3000 (early “curvy” green models with gullwing ribbon covers) and Baby.
  • Olympia: SM3/SM4/SM7 and Splendid portables.
  • Olivetti: Lettera 22/32 and Studio 44; design-forward colorways command premiums.
  • Royal: Prewar portables (Quiet De Luxe, Arrow), early standards with glass keys.
  • Smith-Corona: Skyriter, Silent-Super, Sterling; ultra-portables are strong performers.
  • Underwood: Early standards with glass keys, Noiseless (co-marketed with Remington).
  • Corona 3 folding: Iconic WWI-era portable with folding carriage.
  • Specialty/early machines: Blickensderfer (No. 5 preferred), Hammond, early index machines.

• Models with cult followings:

  • Hermes 3000 (1960s “curvy” first series) in mint condition.
  • Olivetti Lettera 22 in uncommon colors.
  • Olympia SM-series with shining chrome and crisp action.
  • Unusual paint, dealer-stamped plates, or factory-authenticated variants.

• Eras:

  • 1890s–1910s: Early standards, index machines, experimental mechanisms—rarer, museum interest, values vary by completeness and function.
  • 1920s–1930s: Art Deco, glass keys, striking logos—strong visual appeal.
  • 1950s–1960s: Design-forward portables; robust collector base; good daily writers.
  • 1970s–1980s: Later plastics and most electrics are usually less collectible, with exceptions for iconic designs and rare colors.

• Features that enhance desirability:

  • Typefaces: Cursive/script, italic, micro/elites below 10 cpi, or large display fonts can raise value.
  • Colorways: Pastel greens, blues, creams, reds; hammered or crackle finishes; factory two-tones.
  • Wide carriage versions for certain models.
  • Original language support (e.g., Cyrillic, Arabic) where collector demand exists.

Caution: Many machines are abundant. A clean, serviced common model can still sell well, but rarity and desirability stack the deck.

Condition and Originality: How to Grade Like an Appraiser

Condition is the second biggest lever. Grade both cosmetically and mechanically, and verify originality.

• Cosmetic grading:

  • Mint/Near Mint: Minimal wear; bright paint; intact decals; clear legends; no pitting or rust.
  • Excellent: Light honest wear; minor scuffs; no missing parts; case clean and intact.
  • Good: Noticeable wear; touch-up paint; light corrosion; case present but worn.
  • Fair: Heavy wear, chips, rust; missing trim; non-matching parts.
  • Poor/Parts: Significant paint loss; serious rust; broken frames; non-functional.

• Mechanical grading:

  • Fully functional: All keys type; carriage advances; bell rings; tabs and margins work; ribbon reverse functions; platen feeds paper; alignment correct.
  • Functional with issues: Sticky keys; weak return spring; worn platen/slippage; uneven impression.
  • Non-functional: Frozen segments; broken drawband; carriage or escapement failure.

• Originality checklist:

  • Paint and finish: Original finishes typically have period-correct texture and patina. Look for overspray in crevices, color mismatches, or buried plate rivets as signs of repaint.
  • Decals and badges: Check for crisp edges, proper fonts, and period placement. Reproduction waterslides are common on repainted restorations.
  • Platen and feet: Recovered platens and new rubber feet are positive for usability; they do not hurt originality in most markets.
  • Screws and hardware: Mixed fasteners, modern stainless replacements, or missing trim suggest parts machines or heavy repair.
  • Case and tools: Original case, key, brushes, oilers, and manuals significantly boost value.

• Clean vs restored:

  • Mechanical service (cleaning, lubrication, minor adjustment) adds value.
  • Cosmetic restorations (repaint, powder-coat) can increase retail appeal but may decrease value to purists unless documented and exceptionally executed.

Aim to grade transparently. Honest, detailed condition notes and macro photos (even if not shown in this article) underpin higher realized prices.

Rarity, Serial Numbers, and Desirability Signals

Rarity supports value, but rarity alone doesn’t equal demand. Combine rarity with market appetite and visual/functional attractiveness.

• Production numbers and date:

  • Serial numbers place the machine within production ranges. Reference published serial lists to date your typewriter to a year or range.
  • Early production revisions, transitional features (key shapes, ribbon covers, carriage rails), and short-run variants can be more valuable.

• Distinguishing variants:

  • Early vs late series: First-series Hermes 3000 “curvy” vs later squared-off versions; early Royal Quiet De Luxe with round glass keys vs later plastics.
  • Locale-specific models: Export badges, non-English keyboards, or dealer plaques can raise or lower market value depending on buyer pool.
  • Special orders: Government or military tags, institutional property plates, or presentation inscriptions; provenance matters.

• Scarcity cues:

  • Consistently few comparable sales over a 12–24 month horizon.
  • High inquiry-to-sale ratios in collector discussions or shows.
  • Strong sale prices even for mediocre condition examples.

• Provenance:

  • Documented association with notable writers, presses, or design houses can be a multiplier. Without documentation, assume no premium.

Functionality, Completeness, and Presentation

Two machines with the same model and cosmetics can diverge in price based on completeness and how well they are set up.

• Functionality checklist:

  • Carriage: Smooth travel; escapement consistent; lever returns without binding; bell rings.
  • Typing system: No sticky typebars; even alignment; clean type slugs; ribbon advances both directions.
  • Paper handling: Platen grips paper; feed rollers turn; paper bail springs intact; margins and tabs set and clear correctly.
  • Keyboard: All keys present; glass tops uncracked; legends legible; spacebar and shift keys responsive.

• Completeness:

  • Case with working latches and handle; original key if applicable.
  • Spool covers present; platen knobs intact and matched.
  • Paper support, ribbon cover, and decorative trim in place.
  • Accessory extras: Brushes, dust cover, manuals—small items that swing buyer confidence.

• Presentation:

  • A new ribbon installed (black or black/red) proves function and improves test impressions.
  • Lightly cleaned exterior, dusted segment, polished chrome—these low-cost touches often add 10–25% to realized price versus “as found.”
  • Accurate typing sample and a clear description reduce returns and unlock buyer premiums.

Remember shipping realities: Standards and wide-carriage machines are expensive to ship; this can suppress online prices compared to local sales.

Price With Evidence: Comparable Sales and a Scoring Method

Professional appraisals triangulate value using comparables (comps) and a consistent scoring framework to adjust for differences.

• Finding comps:

  • Survey multiple sale venues: local auction houses, estate sales, dealer asking prices vs sold prices, and specialty collector sales. Prioritize recent sold results over asking prices.
  • Match like with like: same brand, model, series, colorway, keyboard language, and condition tier. Adjust for geographic market and seasonality.

• Interpreting comps:

  • Drop outliers caused by poor shipping, problematic listings, or extraordinary provenance unless you can replicate those conditions.
  • Use a range, not a single number. Identify low, median, and high results for your variant and condition.

• A practical scoring method:

  1. Score five drivers from 1–5:
     • Demand (brand/model reputation)
     • Condition (cosmetic and mechanical)
     • Rarity (production scarcity/variant)
     • Originality/Completeness
     • Function (ready to type)
  2. Apply weights (example): Demand 30%, Condition 30%, Rarity 15%, Originality/Completeness 15%, Function 10%.
  3. Compute a weighted score out of 5.
  4. Anchor to the median comp; then adjust:
     • Each 0.5 above median score nudges price toward high comp range.
     • Each 0.5 below pushes toward low comp range.

• Example scenario:

  • Model: Olympia SM3, green, excellent cosmetic, fully functional, original case, uncommon cursive typeface.
  • Comps (recent, similar): Low $180, median $280, high $420.
  • Scores: Demand 4, Condition 4.5, Rarity 3.5 (for cursive), Originality/Completeness 4.5, Function 5.
  • Weighted score ≈ 4.3. This sits above median, so a fair list price might be $350–$395, with expectation to transact $320–$380 depending on venue.

• Typical price tiers (broad guidance; condition and venue matter):

  • Common, unserviced portables: $40–$120
  • Clean, serviced mid-tier models: $150–$400
  • Desirable models, excellent original examples: $500–$1,200
  • Rare variants, early or design icons in top condition or with provenance: $1,500 and up

Note: Electric typewriters generally trail manuals in collector markets, with exceptions for iconic designs or rare colorways.

Practical Checklist: 10-Minute Typewriter Valuation

• Identify make and model; note series and color.
• Record serial number; estimate year from published lists.
• Quick condition grade: cosmetic (Mint to Poor) and mechanical (Functional to Non-functional).
• Check originality: paint, decals, badges, trim; look for signs of repaint.
• Verify completeness: case, keys, spools/covers, knobs, paper support.
• Test function: keys, carriage, bell, margins/tabs, ribbon reverse, paper feed.
• Note premiums/penalties: special typeface, rare language, wide carriage, provenance.
• Photograph well: front, sides, carriage, type sample, serial number.
• Pull comps: at least 3–5 recent sold results for similar examples.
• Price within the comp range using your condition and demand score; state any service done.

FAQ

Q: How much does a repaint help or hurt value? A: It depends on your buyer. Purists prefer original finishes with honest wear; top-tier repaints can sell well to design-minded buyers. As a rule, don’t represent repainted machines as original. Mechanical service with preserved original cosmetics typically yields the highest, broadest market value.

Q: Are foreign-language keyboards worth more? A: Sometimes. Cyrillic, Arabic, or Scandinavian layouts can command premiums when paired with desirable models and active buyer pools. Conversely, niche layouts may narrow your audience and depress price in general markets. Let demand in your selling venue guide expectations.

Q: Should I replace the platen to increase value? A: A hardened platen hurts function and can damage type. A professionally recovered platen is a net positive for usability and typically helps value. Note the service in your listing; collectors appreciate fresh rubber, new feet, and a new ribbon.

Q: What’s the single biggest mistake sellers make? A: Skipping functionality tests and listing vague condition. Buyers pay more when they see a crisp type sample, working carriage video in your listing context, and detailed notes. The second mistake is poor packing; a damaged escapement or broken frame erases value.

Q: Do shipping costs affect price? A: Yes. Heavy standards often realize less online due to shipping premiums and damage risk, while clean portables in cases travel well and maintain stronger online prices. Local pickup can lift realized value for large machines.

By aligning demand, condition, rarity, originality, and function—and pricing with real comps—you’ll move beyond guesswork and toward repeatable, professional-grade valuations. Whether you’re curating a collection, writing an appraisal, or preparing a sale, this framework helps you see the hidden gems and price them with confidence.