Frequently Asked Questions
The Classic Typewriter Page

Frequently Asked Questions
You may e-mail me, Richard Polt, at polt@xavier.edu. (No attachments over 500K, please.) However, you may find that your question is answered below. This page responds to the following frequently-asked questions:

  1. Can you help me with a mechanical problem?
  2. Where can I find a ribbon for my manual typewriter?
  3. Would you look up my typewriter's serial number?
  4. Do you have a user's manual for my typewriter?
  5. How old is my typewriter?
  6. What is my typewriter worth?
  7. I want to use a manual typewriter. What would you recommend?
  8. What kind of typewriters have been favored by writers and celebrities?
  9. Are the Bush documents fakes?
  10. Where did you get that cool typewriter font you use on your site?
  11. How can I get rid of That Old Typewriter Smell?
  12. Why doesn't my typewriter have a numeral 1?

1. Can you help me with a mechanical problem?

Often, a problem with a manual typewriter can be fixed at home with a little time, a little ingenuity, and some simple tools such as a screwdriver. For a few tips on mechanical repairs and restoration, see Basic Typewriter Restoration. For Will Davis's more extensive advice, see his Online Typewriter Support. But sometimes an expert's personal help is certainly needed. I cannot give you any expert advice, but I have a list of repair shops around the world that will work on manual typewriters.

2. Where can I find a ribbon for my manual typewriter?

This is easier. Almost all manual typewriters use half-inch-wide ribbons, and these can still be found. (If you have an odd-sized ribbon, experiment with ribbons for computer printers, time clocks, cash registers, and other machines.) Most typewriters can use dual-color ribbons (red and black), so look for one of those -- they look nice and can be useful. Good ribbons are still available from the sources listed below. Your local office supply store may also have ribbons for manual typewriters, and it may have ribbons intended for printing calculators which will work just as well. Ribbon spools (the reels) are slightly more challenging, if your typewriter is missing them. Ribbons are usually sold on plastic spools, and you may have to experiment with several kinds before you find one that fits your particular machine.

Baco Ribbons sells ribbons in many sizes, colors (including brown!) and materials (including silk!). They also replace old platens. Baco Ribbon & Supply Co., 2230 Mason Lane, Ballwin, MO 63021, 314-835-9300, fax 314-835-9361, e-mail bacoribbon@sbcglobal.net.

Jay Respler of Advanced Business Machines Co. in New Jersey carries ribbons for virtually all typewriters: Phone 732-431-1464 after 11 AM Eastern, or e-mail jrespler@superlink.net. "I offer nylon, cotton, silk, and all colors. I can get many odd sizes. I stock newer cartridges as well as older spools. I supply pictures of spools to help determine what the customer needs. We ship anywhere in the world."

Other sources include Ames Supply Co., Scantracker, Ko-Rec-Type, and FJA Products.

Earl De Barth, of www.debarth.org, telephone number 215-855-6851, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm ET, e-mail imanager@debarth.org, has the material for the 25 mm and wider ribbons. He has no spools, so requests that the purchaser send him a spool on which to wind the "new" ribbon. And he can sometimes provide ribbons in colors other than black or black/red. Prices vary according to length, number of ribbons purchased, etc.

3. Would you look up my typewriter's serial number?
I'm sorry, no. I do have a few serial number records, but I cannot accommodate these requests because of my long to-do list every day. Please try The Typewriter Database, a site that lists serial numbers for many makes.

4. Do you have a user's manual for my typewriter?

I just don't have the time to copy the manuals that I own. Try Office Machine Americana or ask on one of the typewriter e-mail lists.

5. How old is my typewriter?

If you can find your typewriter's serial number, it may be listed at The Typewriter Database. Failing that, here are some rules of thumb:

Weird? If your typewriter looks bizarre in some way (strange keyboard, shape, etc.), chances are that it's pre-1920. Let me know what you've got, and I'll try to give you more information.

Have an Underwood? If it says "Wagner Typewriter Co." on the back, it dates from 1895-1900. If it doesn't say "Wagner" but has an open frame (you can easily see the works), it dates from 1900-1930. If it's an open-framed Underwood #5, check my Underwood page for a list of serial numbers that will let you date it with precision. (Look for the serial number on the right top of the frame, under the right end of the carriage.) If it is an office-sized typewriter with an enclosed frame (covered in sheet metal), it's after 1930. Underwood portables with three rows of keys date from 1919-29. Those with four rows of keys are mostly from the thirties and forties.

Have a Remington portable? Check my Remington portables page for a list of pre-war Remington portables, with the dates of each model. If it's not on my list, it's postwar.

Patent dates can tell you that a typewriter was made after a certain date. But sometimes the machine was made quite a few years after the latest patent date. In the case of older (open-frame) Underwoods, the company got so many patents that the last patent date is probably very close to the year of manufacture. (Look on the back of the machine for a big decal listing all the patents.)

If your typewriter has very little plastic, it's probably no later than the mid-1930s. If it's painted in crinkle paint (with tiny wrinkles), it's from the late thirties or the forties.

Postwar typewriters (that's World War II we're talking about) can be recognized by various signs: U.S. patent numbers above 2,400,000; extensive use of plastic; and keys that are not circular, but are rounded-off rectangles.

IBM Selectrics date from 1960 at the earliest. This also goes for other modern electric machines that use a single type element (such as the Selectric "golf ball").

Electrics with a daisy wheel date from the late 1970s at the earliest.

6. What is my typewriter worth?

The monetary value of a typewriter can't be determined precisely, because there are relatively few collectors and the market is always changing. Furthermore, the condition of a typewriter affects its value significantly. To further complicate things, there are literally hundreds of makes of typewriter that are of value to a collector, ranging from $50 machines to $50,000 machines. I won't list them all here -- write to me with the details of your typewriter (make, model, condition). However, you should first check to see whether your typewriter falls into one of the classes below, as 95% of them do. I also recommend searching completed auctions at eBay, where you will find many examples of the common makes of typewriter.

Postwar typewriters

Few typewriters made after World War II are considered "collectible," because these later writing machines are mostly look-alikes produced in great quantities -- and they are often ugly, in many people's view. Someone may want them, of course, but don't expect the price to go over $20 or so. The exceptions to this rule are typewriters that have a strange or specialized mechanism -- for instance, the Varityper, a "cold typesetting" machine descended from the Hammond which prints from a type shuttle -- and the more eye-catching and colorful '50s portables, which can bring $100 with luck.

As for prewar typewriters, most belong to the following makes:

Corona

This is one of the first portables. The Corona that most collectors like has a carriage that folds down onto the keyboard. This is a beginner's machine that is frequently found. An informed collector will hold out for one in excellent condition, and will not pay much more than $50 for it. Colored specimens are worth more than black ones.

Oliver

These machines are collectible and are certainly unusual to the modern eye, with their U-shaped typebars hovering over the platen. However, most are not rare. Expect the value to be in the $50-$100 range, give or take some according to condition. Olivers do have many minor variations, some of which are unusual. The most valuable Oliver is the #1, which can be recognized by its nickel finish and the fact that the tabs sticking out of its sides are flat to the ground.

Remington

Remington was always a leader in the typewriter industry -- so many Remington machines are common and worth little. Understroke Remingtons (which type on the underside of the platen) are worth some money; these are full-sized, office typewriters with model numbers under 10. The most common understroke Remingtons are the #6 and #7, worth around $100; other understroke models can be worth more. There are also many models of Remington portables; most of these are frequently found, but are enjoyed by some collectors. They will bring a modest price, say $30, give or take according to condition and luck. The Remington Electric of 1925 is worth several hundred dollars; this is a very boxy machine that has a carriage return lever on the right.

Royal

The Royals to look for are the #1, #5, and Standard. These are office machines with an unusual, low profile and a keyboard that looks like it's emerging from a staircase (collectors call these the "flatbed" models). They are worth around $50-$200 depending on condition (usually they are in poor shape). Many older Royal office typewriters are model 10 (usually not marked as such); the earlier ones have glass windows on the sides (pretty although useless). Value depends on condition -- anywhere from zero to $100. Royal portables are fun, but not worth much (about $10-$200 depending on condition and luck, with an average value around $40). The exception is the gold-plated version of the '50s Royal Quiet Deluxe portable, which is worth several hundred dollars. Finally, if your machine says "Royal Grand," you have found a very rare item that's the most valuable model of this make.

L.C. Smith

These are common, conventional typewriters. The earlier L.C. Smiths have a handsome decal with prancing horses. If you have such a machine in excellent condition, the lower the model number the better, it can bring $100 on a good day. L.C. Smith merged with Corona to create Smith-Corona in 1926. Smith-Corona portables from the 30s, in excellent condition, can be nice and might be worth $50 or so. Later Smith-Coronas are so common that they are of minor interest to collectors (although they are fine writing machines).

Olympia

A very successful German make, with a reputation for high quality. Because supply far exceeds demand today, it is unlikely that an Olympia will bring more than $50.

Underwood

The Underwood was the IBM PC of its day -- popular, reliable, common, much-imitated, and frankly, pretty dull. The earliest Underwoods are considered collectible and will bring roughly $200; these usually say "Wagner Typewriter Co." on the back. Some collectors or people who want one old typewriter will enjoy an ordinary Underwood (which is likely to be a #5) if it's in great condition. Very nice #5's can bring $150 or so, but the average-condition Underwood (any model) is difficult to sell at any price. There are some attractive Underwood portables, particularly the "Underwood Standard Portable Typewriter" of 1919-29, with three rows of keys (the name is bigger than the typewriter). It's worth about $40. For more about Underwoods, click here.

Woodstock

These well-made but conventional typewriters are generally ignored by collectors. The Woodstock Electrite is an early electric typewriter that is not frequently found, but still may bring under $100.

7. I want to use a manual typewriter. What would you recommend?
It's partly a matter of taste, but some makes have gathered a lot of fans for their sturdiness, their looks, or their feel. Many users prefer a machine that uses "segment shift" (also known as "basket shift") rather than "carriage shift": in other words, when you shift, the carriage does not move but the typebars do. This is easier, particularly for those used to computer keyboards. Be aware that if you choose an ultra-flat, "laptop" typewriter, the portability will come at the cost of a less satisfying feel. For many users, a larger portable made between 1930 and 1970 will do the trick.

Here are some possibilities. My list below is linked to current eBay auctions. Be patient and hold out for a machine in good condition. There are a few eBay sellers who often sell typewriters and have developed a good reputation; I recommend arkaem-sales, curtisz, T&T Typewriters, and writertypes. For a professionally cleaned and reconditioned typewriter from sources other than eBay, I also recommend mytypewriter.com (mostly pre-1940 machines), Mr. Typewriter (mostly postwar machines), and Blue Moon Camera.

8. What kind of typewriters have been favored by writers and celebrities?

Here are the results of some research by me and my correspondents. Particular thanks to Robert Messenger, whose article on typewriter-loving writers you can read here (PDF).

9. Are the Bush documents fakes?

In a word: yes. Read the details here.

10. Where did you get that cool typewriter font you use on your site?

From a typewriter. Specifically, my beloved Remington Noiseless Portable Model Seven. I typed the text, then scanned it. This method will always be more convincing than using a simulated typewriter font for computers. However, using fontifier.com and a scanner, I have created a Remington Noiseless TrueType font that you are welcome to download here and use as you please. If you want other "typewriter" fonts, try this site.

11. How can I get rid of That Old Typewriter Smell?

Hey, some of us like it! But we're perverse ... Seriously, it's a common problem, especially with portables--and if you're allergic to mold, it can be a real health hazard. Yes, the smell is caused primarily by mold, combined with decades of dust and cigarette smoke. Mold won't grow on metal, but it will grow on typewriter ribbons and on fabric-covered cases. Take your typewriter out of its case and blow the lint and dust out of it (a compressed air canister for cleaning computer and stereo equipment is handy here). Throw away the ribbon. Look carefully for any surfaces that may have mold on them (the typebars usually rest on fabric or felt; some typewriters also have felt elsewhere, to deaden the noise). Clean and polish the machine using the materials I list on my restoration page. The cases can be cleaned with harsher materials, such as Lysol, window cleaner, or ammonia. Then let everything dry thoroughly, preferably in sunlight. Store typewriters and cases in dry environments with moderate temperatures. You may have to clean the cases again every 6 months or so. Paul Panella writes, "I've found that the musty smell from the old leatherette cases can be removed by first wiping down with a light disinfectant wipe. I use Clorox disinfecting wipes. Then I generously apply Old English lemon oil furniture polish inside and out. The leatherette just soaks it up and it seems to take care of the strong odor with no residue. These old cases are so dry that the lemon oil disappears almost immediately."

12. Why doesn't my typewriter have a numeral 1?

Most manual typewriters did without the numeral 1; you were expected to type a lowercase L instead. Often for a zero you would type an uppercase letter O; for an exclamation mark, you would type period-backspace-apostrophe, or hold down the shift key and spacebar while typing the period and apostrophe (usually you can superimpose characters if you hold down the spacebar). Cyrillic typewriters (for Russian, Ukrainian, etc.) do have a numeral 1, but don't have a numeral 3, because the Cyrillic equivalent to Z looks like a 3! All are ways to save a few parts and make manufacture cheaper.
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