Vintage typewriters are one of the most rewarding estate sale finds you can make. Whether you discovered an old machine in a grandparent’s attic, picked one up at a garage sale, or inherited a collection, this guide will help you identify what you have, date it to the correct era, and determine what it is worth. The vintage typewriter market has surged over the past decade, driven by the same nostalgia wave that reignited interest in vintage vinyl records and vintage cameras.
How to Date a Vintage Typewriter
Before determining value, you need to know what era your typewriter comes from. Four physical clues will date most machines reliably. For a specific production year, search the Typewriter Database (typewriterdatabase.com) with your brand and serial number.
| Feature | Era | Value Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Round glass keys with metal rings | Pre-1950 | 50–200% premium over plastic-key equivalent |
| Upstrike action (can’t see text while typing) | Pre-1900 | Museum-grade collectible; $500–$5,000+ |
| Carriage shift (whole carriage moves for uppercase) | Pre-1950 | Positive dating indicator; no direct premium |
| Segment shift (only type basket moves) | Post-1950 | Standard for mid-century portables |
| Black crinkle paint finish | Through mid-1950s | Classic look; neutral value impact |
| Pastel colors (grey, green, beige, turquoise) | 1955–1965 | Fashion premium; turquoise and mint green highest demand |
| Bright designer colors (red, teal, ivory) | 1960s–1970s | Strong collector premium; red Olivetti Valentine most valuable |
| Plastic keytops, standard | Post-1955 | Common; no glass key premium |
Vintage Typewriter Values by Brand
Underwood Typewriters
Underwood is the most recognizable American typewriter brand. The Underwood No. 5 (1900–1930) is an icon of the pre-war office era and the most commonly found antique typewriter at estate sales. Glass-key examples in excellent condition with original cases command the strongest prices.
| Model | Era | Condition | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underwood No. 5 | 1900–1930 | Poor / Fair | $50–$150 |
| Underwood No. 5 (glass keys) | 1900–1930 | Good | $150–$350 |
| Underwood No. 5 (glass keys) | 1900–1930 | Excellent + original case | $300–$600 |
| Underwood Universal portable | 1930s | Standard | $75–$200 |
| Underwood Champion / De Luxe portable | 1940s–1950s | Good | $50–$150 |
| Underwood 315 / 319 portable (pastel color) | 1960s | Good | $75–$175 |
Royal Typewriters
Royal was Underwood’s chief competitor and produced some of the most beloved American typewriters. The Royal Quiet De Luxe is the most sought-after Royal model, famously used by Ernest Hemingway. Two-tone paint models from 1939–1955 command the highest prices.
| Model | Era | Condition | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Standard No. 1 (glass keys) | 1906–1920 | Good | $200–$500 |
| Royal Portable (glass keys) | 1926–1935 | Good | $150–$400 |
| Royal Quiet De Luxe (two-tone) | 1939–1955 | Standard | $150–$400 |
| Royal Quiet De Luxe | 1939–1955 | Excellent + case | $300–$700 |
| Royal Quiet De Luxe (pastel) | 1950s–1960s | Good | $100–$300 |
| Royal Futura 800 | 1958–1963 | Good | $75–$200 |
| Royal Safari / Signet (color) | 1960s | Good | $75–$175 |
Smith Corona Typewriters
Smith Corona produced typewriters from 1903 through the 1990s. The Silent Super and Corsair Deluxe are among the most popular models with today’s collectors. 1960s and 1970s turquoise and green portables are particularly fashionable.
| Model | Era | Condition | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Corona No. 3 / No. 4 (glass keys) | Early 1900s | Good | $150–$400 |
| Smith Corona Silent | 1940s–1950s | Good | $75–$200 |
| Smith Corona Silent Super | 1955–1960 | Good | $100–$250 |
| Smith Corona Corsair Deluxe / Galaxie | 1960s | Good | $75–$175 |
| Smith Corona Galaxie (color) | 1960s–1970s | Good | $100–$250 |
| Smith Corona Electra 120 / Coronamatic | 1970s–1980s | Good | $25–$75 |
Olympia Typewriters
German-made Olympia typewriters have an outstanding reputation for build quality and typing feel. The SM3, SM4, SM7, and SM9 are the most collected models. Any working Olympia commands a premium over its American counterpart from the same era because of superior German engineering.
| Model | Era | Value Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia SM3 | 1954–1961 | $150–$350 | Highly regarded; two-tone case |
| Olympia SM4 | 1956–1963 | $150–$350 | Most popular Olympia model |
| Olympia SM7 | 1963–1978 | $125–$300 | Excellent typing feel |
| Olympia SM9 | 1979–1993 | $100–$250 | Later production; green label |
| Olympia Report De Luxe (portable) | 1960s–1970s | $100–$275 | Travel machine |
| Olympia SG1 / SG3 (office standard) | 1950s–1970s | $100–$300 | Heavy; difficult to ship |
Hermes Typewriters
Swiss-made Hermes typewriters are among the most valuable vintage portables on the market. The Hermes 3000 — produced in Yverdon, Switzerland from 1958 to 1967 — is considered by many collectors to be the finest portable typewriter ever made. Its sea-foam green clamshell case and exceptional typing action make it highly sought after.
| Model | Era | Condition | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermes 3000 (first generation) | 1958–1967 | Standard | $250–$500 |
| Hermes 3000 (first generation) | 1958–1967 | Excellent + case | $400–$800 |
| Hermes 3000 (second generation) | 1967–1977 | Good | $175–$400 |
| Hermes Baby | 1935–1969 | Good | $100–$300 |
| Hermes Rocket | 1950s–1960s | Good | $100–$275 |
| Hermes Ambassador (office) | 1950s–1960s | Good | $150–$350 |
Remington Typewriters
Remington built the first practical commercial typewriter in 1873. Early Remington machines with upstrike action (you couldn’t see what you typed while typing) are museum pieces. Standard 20th-century Remington portables are common and modestly valued.
| Model | Era | Value Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remington No. 2–No. 6 (upstrike / blind writer) | 1878–1893 | $300–$2,000 | Very early; museum-grade examples higher |
| Remington No. 10 / No. 11 (glass keys) | 1907–1920 | $150–$400 | Heavy office standard |
| Remington Portable No. 1 | 1920–1925 | $200–$500 | First Remington portable; historically significant |
| Remington Noiseless portable | 1931–1950 | $100–$250 | Unique quiet mechanism |
| Remington Quiet-Riter / Deluxe | 1950s | $50–$150 | Common; standard value |
Olivetti Typewriters
Italian manufacturer Olivetti merged industrial design with engineering to create some of the most visually striking machines ever produced. The Olivetti Valentine — designed by Ettore Sottsass and Perry King in 1969 — is in permanent collections at MoMA in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
| Model | Era | Condition | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olivetti Valentine | 1969–1975 | Standard | $200–$500 |
| Olivetti Valentine | 1969–1975 | Mint + case + accessories | $500–$1,200 |
| Olivetti Lettera 22 | 1950–1963 | Good | $125–$350 |
| Olivetti Lettera 32 | 1963–1974 | Good | $100–$275 |
| Olivetti Studio 44 | 1952–1960s | Good | $100–$300 |
| Olivetti Praxis 48 (electric) | 1964 | Good | $75–$200 |
Most Valuable Vintage Typewriters
While most vintage typewriters sell in the $50 to $300 range, certain rare and exceptional machines command dramatically higher prices at auction.
| Machine | Era | Value Range | Why It’s Valuable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malling-Hansen Writing Ball | 1870–1875 | $50,000–$200,000 | World’s first commercially produced typewriter; fewer than 200 survive |
| Sholes & Glidden Type-Writer | 1874–1878 | $15,000–$50,000 | Ancestor of all modern typewriters; only ~150 examples survive |
| Remington No. 1 | 1873–1878 | $3,000–$8,000 | Production version of the first Remington; ornate floral decals |
| Blickensderfer No. 5 / Electric | 1893–1920s | $500–$1,500 | Innovative early portable with typewheel; Electric is extremely rare |
| Hammond Multiplex | 1913–1920s | $400–$1,200 | Interchangeable type shuttles; variable character spacing |
| Olivetti Valentine (mint) | 1969–1975 | $500–$1,200 | Design icon in MoMA and V&A permanent collections |
| Hermes 3000 (first generation, mint) | 1958–1967 | $400–$800 | Most revered portable; sea-foam green clamshell case |
| Corona No. 3 folding portable | 1912–1941 | $150–$400 | First practical folding portable; distinctive folding carriage |
Condition Guide for Vintage Typewriters
Condition is the single most important factor in vintage typewriter value after brand and model. Use this table to assess condition before buying or selling.
| Grade | What It Means | % of Excellent Price |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent / Showroom | All keys type cleanly; platen soft and unblemished; no missing typebars; original paint minimal wear; all decals intact; all function keys (tab, margin release, backspace) work | 100% |
| Good / Working | Types well with perhaps one sticky key; platen has light wear but functional; minor paint chips; decals mostly intact | 75–90% |
| Fair / Restorable | Stiff or stuck keys; hardened platen; some rust; missing one keycap; faded decals. Budget for a tune-up ($40–$100) | 30–60% |
| Poor / Parts | Multiple broken typebars; cracked platen; heavy rust or corrosion; major missing components. Primarily valuable for parts | 10–20% |
Platen condition note: A rock-hard rubber platen (common on old machines) produces poor print quality and can damage type. Platen replacement or recovering costs $35–$75 from a typewriter repair specialist. Factor this into any purchase price. Original carrying cases add $25–$150 in value depending on brand and condition.
What Increases Typewriter Value
| Factor | Value Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glass keys (round, with metal rings) | +50–200% | Single biggest value factor for pre-1950 machines |
| Two-tone or designer color case | +25–100% | Turquoise, mint green, and red command highest premiums |
| Original carrying case | +$25–$150 | Hard cases worth more than soft bags |
| Swiss or German manufacture (Hermes, Olympia) | Baseline premium | Commands 30–50% more than comparable American machine |
| Working condition with clean platen | 2–3× over non-working | Functional machines sell significantly faster |
| Original decals intact | +10–25% | Missing decals reduce collector interest |
| Original ribbon tin or manual | +$15–$50 | Complete packages sell better |
| Famous writer provenance | +200–500%+ | Authenticated provenance (Hemingway, Kerouac) is extraordinarily rare |
Where to Buy and Sell Vintage Typewriters
| Venue | Best For | Price Level | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay (completed listings) | Selling rare models; buying any model | Market rate | Always check sold prices — asking prices run 2–3× actual selling prices. Shipping costs $40–$80 for heavy standards |
| Etsy | Selling colorful 1960s–1970s portables | Above market | Prices run higher on average; good for aesthetically appealing machines |
| Typewriter Database (TWDB) forum | Buying / selling to knowledgeable collectors | Fair market | Active community; serious collectors who pay fair prices for quality |
| Facebook Marketplace / Craigslist | Selling locally to avoid shipping | Below market | Best source for underpriced finds; estate sale companies often list at $20–$50 regardless of model |
| Estate sales | Finding underpriced machines | Well below market | Hermes 3000 machines regularly sell for $30; best source for exceptional deals |
| Specialist dealers (Milwaukee Typewriter Works, California Typewriter) | Buying fully restored machines | Premium (30–50% above market) | Guaranteed working condition; good option if you want a plug-and-type machine |
Frequently Asked Questions About Vintage Typewriters
Are old typewriters worth money?
Yes, but value varies widely. Common 1960s–1970s portables typically sell for $50 to $150. Premium Swiss and German machines like the Hermes 3000 or Olympia SM7 fetch $200 to $500. Iconic designs like the Olivetti Valentine command $300 to $800. Victorian-era machines with glass keys are worth $150 to $500 for standard models. Very early pre-1900 typewriters in museum-quality condition can reach thousands of dollars.
What is the most valuable vintage typewriter brand?
For production typewriters, Hermes (Swiss) and Olivetti (Italian) command the highest values among portable machines. The Hermes 3000 regularly sells for $300 to $800 in excellent condition, and the Olivetti Valentine can reach $500 to $1,200 mint in box. Among American brands, early Royal and Underwood machines with glass keys are the most collectible. For true antiques, pre-1880 models from Remington and rare early makers are the most valuable.
What is an Underwood typewriter worth?
An Underwood No. 5 in average estate sale condition sells for $50 to $150. A clean example with glass keys and no major problems is worth $150 to $350. An excellent Underwood No. 5 with original carrying case can reach $400 to $600. Value depends heavily on whether the original glass keys are present — glass keys add a 50–200% premium over plastic-key models.
What is a Royal Quiet De Luxe worth?
A Royal Quiet De Luxe in good working condition sells for $150 to $300. An excellent example in original case fetches $300 to $600. The 1939–1955 models with two-tone paint and chrome accents are worth more than later all-grey examples. Original decals and a clean, unchipped case significantly affect price.
How do I find out what my vintage typewriter is worth?
Start by identifying your machine at TypewriterDatabase.com — enter your brand and serial number to find the exact production year. Then search completed eBay listings for your model to see recent selling prices. For rare or unusual machines, the Portable Typewriter Forum (PTF) community can provide free identification and valuation. Always check sold prices rather than asking prices — typewriters are regularly listed at 2–3 times what they actually sell for.
Where is the best place to sell a vintage typewriter?
eBay reaches the most buyers and achieves the best prices for rare models. For common 1960s–1970s portables, local Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist avoids shipping costs (heavy machines cost $40–$80 to ship safely). Etsy is good for aesthetically attractive colorful machines. Specialist dealers will buy outright but typically at 30–50% of retail value.
Is it worth having a vintage typewriter restored?
Only for machines worth $150 or more in restored condition. Professional service (cleaning, adjusting, new ribbon, platen treatment) runs $60–$120 at most shops. A restoration makes sense for a Hermes 3000, Olympia SM series, or early glass-key machine — it does not make financial sense for a common 1970s portable. For a machine you plan to use rather than sell, restoration is always worthwhile regardless of cost.
How do I tell if my typewriter has glass keys?
Hold the machine up to a light source. Genuine glass keys are round with a metal ring around the edge, and the key face is a small disc of glass set into the metal ring. The glass has a subtle depth and slight texture. Plastic keytops are lighter in weight, have a duller appearance, and may show yellowing or cracking with age. If in doubt, tap a key gently — glass keys have a slightly harder sound than plastic.
Looking for more estate sale collectibles? See our guides to vintage cameras, vintage radios, vintage vinyl records, and our complete antique collecting guide.