Interesting Typewriters

Below is a selection of the machines either currently or previously in the collection, with details about their acquisition, performance, and repairs done on them. Click for more information and check the sidebar in page for links to additional posts where these machines are referenced.
If you have questions about them feel free to use the contact link above.

ROOY
PORTABLE

It's a little hard to describe just how flat this machine is, but that doesn't keep it from feeling like a surprisingly pleasant typer.

GOSSEN
TIPPA

A truly enjoyable machine despite the relative flatness. This one balances size and function to steal the show.

SMITH CORONA
5T

Made for better visibility, the sans serif Nu Mode font is an easy reading face, but the pink isn't anything to scoff at either.

OLYMPIA
SM3

A fitting face for the iridescent custom paint job, this Double Gothic gem is as nice to look at as it is to type on.

UNDERWOOD
DEUTSCHE

An an unusual German "Underwood" made by Mercedes, this one is an uncommon machine; if only it could speak.

REMINGTON
SCOUT MODEL

Lovely little machine that is lacking some features, but makes up for it by being in Art Gothic, a distinctive sans-serif font.

GROMA
KOLIBRI

The Kolibri always has a feeling of flatness, despite a solid, heavy presence on the desk

HERMES
MEDIA

With a glassy feel like older machines and the black, glossy, cultish appearance, this one is as pretty as it is practical

OLYMPIA
SM4

Rich with features and an ergonomic machine, this basic Pica machine is still a great typer

REMINGTON
5

This small machine has a big secret on the slugs, the 6CPI Magnatype can fill up a page with only a single meandering thought

HERMES
3000

Interesting slugs on a practical machine make for fun letters. Maths keyboards are especially amusing, especially on a machine with a new p...

UNDERWOOD
3 BANK

Small pitch with big problems - this machine started out without a front plate and a snapped D linkage post.

ERIKA
MODELL S

Despite being a stripped down modell, this Erika S is still quite nice and has quite a back story!

UNDERWOOD
4 BANK

The early 4 banks do have a different feel, and this one is nice and snappy.

UNDERWOOD
3 BANK

Despite the rougher decals, this tiny machine cleaned up nice after a reattached drawband.

ERIKA
M

One of the favorite machines of the collection, this machine effortlessly powers through pages in style.

OLIVETTI
LETTERA 22

A functional machine, I found this one was too small for my hands, but it still was plenty enjoyable to try out.

ADLER
TIPPA S

There are quite a few variations on script typefaces, this one is in a less-common #77 style, also found under the "Napoli" script name....

ROYAL
EMPRESS

I'm not usually one for standards, but it's uncommon to find them in Spencerian Script! This tank of a machine produces delicate type.

IMPERIAL
GOOD COMPANION

Having the typebars swinging down and away from you is a strange sensation, but even so this machine still is a Good Companion to have aroun...

ERIKA
BIJOU / 5

A lovely example of the export model 5 from Erika, this Bijou sports an English-UK layout. It’s a little testy on the spacebar escapement...

ERIKA
M

Not all Erikas are created equal, and the M carries an extra weight, both in authority on the writing table and in pure pounds. This machin...

HERMES
3000

Wide Hermes 3000’s are not unheard of, but they give an extra sense of gravitas to these gorgeous machines. This one has been a go-to pic...

ADLER
JUNIOR-E

If not for the script bars, this one wouldn't be particularly noteworthy, but it's a nice machine to type on and the script is always nice....

UNDERWOOD
CHAMPION

From a local collector, this machine is interesting in that it is a Canadian-produced machine, made for an Australian department store, but ...

ROYAL
QUIET DE LUXE

A reliable typing machine loaded with features. Missing out on the old world class, but still with all the quality.

ROYAL
P VOGUE

Sans serif fonts are always a pleasure to find, even more so when the host machine has such a striking appearance in the bright duotone red ...

OLYMPIA
SF

Beige and heavy duty, this portable QWERTY machine is fun to type on without occupying a ton of space. New bumpers under the body. No lid, b...

HERMES
MEDIA 3

The Media 3 is functionally identical to the Hermes 3000 and in some ways manages to be an improvement through simplicity. The lack of a ta...

ERIKA
MODEL 90

This right-to-left Farsi machine deserves lots to be written about it, so this section will be brief - it is rather cool.

TORPEDO
BLUE BIRD

Like the Olympias, these Torpedo platens seem to get rather firm and makes for a noisy time when running the Blue Bird. Despite that it’s...

UNDERWOOD
4-BANK

Having had some strange escapement quirks worked out and fresh rubber, this excellent little machine always has a striking appearance with t...

REMINGTON
PORTABLE

Royal wasn’t the only group producing red machines and this style of bright red is always eye-catching. This particular example is rather...

ADLER
TIPPA 1

Finding a Spanish, script machine from Norway was definitely the spot on my bingo card I never expected to fill. This lovely Adler Tippa ha...

TORPEDO
15A

Nice condition Torpedo 15a’s are uncommon to begin with, however this example in Fraktur is worthy of a writeup for both appearance and th...

CORONA
JUNIOR

This one was worked over by California Typewriter not too long ago, however since then it has gotten a new black silk ribbon, fresh platen &...

TRIUMPH
NORM 6

This 1943 QWERTY machine is very smooth and fast to type on. Has a black silk ribbon installed and feet have been replaced with new grommets...

EMPIRE
ARISTOCRAT

Compact copy of an early Hermes Baby, this machine travels easily but is still enjoyable to type on.

HERMES
3000

Originally in a plain English layout, this machine is interesting in that it was customized at some point to get certain Spanish keys.

OPTIMA
ELITE

This one has been a bit of trouble, which is a real shame given how interesting these early body style Optimas are. Most collectors are fam...