This is one of those machines that I've always wanted, but which, despite being pretty common, always eluded me. Price too high, or condition too low, price too high and condition too low, etc. etc. I even tried my luck on ebay, but the same issues still applied. Even bid on a real beater, only to see the bidding go well over $100 9__9

Well, I finally found one, an early version from 1916. Dusty, but overall quite nice, and in the carrying case (with the cleaning brush still clipped inside), for $99. Ten years ago I would've thought that price insane, but these days, it seems just a little less insane.

Action seemed a little jerky, but after lots of cleaning and a little oil in precise locations (don't worry, the user's manual actually points out which parts need oiling monthly, these earlier machines were designed with constant cleaning and lubrication in mind) it operates remarkably smoothly and with an incredibly light action. I'm really surprised how nice it types with almost no key pressure.

I also didn't realize when I bought it, that it has a non-standard character set... I don't know if that makes it any more valuable, but I'm honestly kind of annoyed to learn the standard machines had a an exclamation point and an asterisk, and I've got a "-" and a "°" on those keys instead, as well as a set of fractions. Looking at photos of other Corona 3s, I found no others with this character set. ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

These three arrived fully restored this week — two from northern France, one from northern Virginia. Got into typewriters a couple months ago with a janky old (but reliable) Brother De Luxe. After typing my correspondence and a few news dispatches on Brother, I'm now ready to equipped for my two desks at work (Olivettis) and a traveller (Hermes Baby). Suffice to say, I'm obsessed!!

Sigh. I know the new-to-me typewriter it came out of, but not the WHERE/WHAT of it.
So far, everything I know to check is working correctly, and random typings (vs specific function checks) have revealed no new secrets.

I am pretending that this spring went missing whilst in previous hands, and someone simply replaced it with another.

(sigh)

Hey everyone,

Just picked up this Olivetti from an estate sale. I’ve been perusing the Typewriter Wiki, old posts & the general internet & still have a couple questions I’m hoping can be answered here.

1 tips on finding serial number? I’ve looked underneath and on the back to no avail.

2 advice on finding a replacement placard for the top? Based on research here I believe it’s a Studio 44 model (also can be determined once I find serial number, right??). This typewriter was made in Italy!

3 was $50 a good deal?!

Having an estate sale and my mom insists on selling this for $40 just to make sure we get rid of it. Looking online I’m seeing prices of $250-500. It’s in perfect condition. Should I insist we try and sell it online or should we just let it go?

Hello! I was cleaning the house and I found my late mother typewriter, I have almost no idea about how it works besides some minor fidgeting and google searches.

I plan on to keeping it, but I would like to know as much as I can about it, I do not know if it is a good one or not, on the back is says that it was produced in Holland, she most likely bought it in Barcelona during the 80’s.

Any help identifying the exact model or how to use it, repair any posible damage or how to maintain it would be really appreciated :)

I fixed up an old typewriter I was given from my aunts I guess nobody bought it at a yard sale. I’ve been using it for like a month after I fixed it up. I even just bought supplies for it, but I wanna know if there’s anything I can do to preserve it as long as I can because I love using this thing.

Had it repainted in a nice burgundy - Olympia Traveller De Luxe

Soundproofed on all panels

Came with the case too!

Purchased from from Jan M. Macho in Pasadena, CA. This was the personal typewriter of his father John J. Macho, Sr., an émigré from Czechoslovakia who was in regional sales for Paillard in America and sold millions of Hermes typewriters. 

Jan Macho, Sr.’s grandson Chris eulogized his grandfather on Instagram:

>This is a Hermes 3000. My grandfather, Jan Macho, "Deda" to me, made a living and a small fortune as an exec at Hermes Typewriter Co., and he sold a million of these. I admit, I don't think of him as often as I should, and it takes hints like these in the wild to remind me of him. Fuck me, he was just so legendarily amazing, kind, generous, and plain THE SHIT in how he carried himself (and now I'm tearing up as I write this). I mentioned him and the Hermes thing to the people at this place here and they gave me a beer. So here he is, still hooking me up from the other side. Love you, miss you Deda.

Generally his typewriter is in solid condition aside from some cosmetic issues in the rear body plastic possibly due to heat exposure. It’ll need a full C/O/A and some new rubber, but will be resurrected to be a spectacular little portable typewriter for a few more generations.

I was so enamored of the provenance of the typewriter that I  barely managed to get through a preliminary check of the functionality before buying. I completely didn’t even notice the Epoca typeface until I got it home. Somehow I’ve always been the bridesmaid when it comes to Hermes machines, but it seems I’ve jumped right over the bride title straight to princess.

Resources

• Hermes 3000 manual via Richard Polt.  
• Hermes typefaces from the 1964 NOMDA Blue Book via Ted Munk
• The Hermes 3000 and Media 3 Typewriter Repair Bible

Bought a Remington Rand Suburbanite on an emotional whim via Goodwill. It looked cool and I was craving a different experience from my Royal Futura 800. I should've known better as I know the typewriter would most likely be treated roughly by employees. This was quickly confirmed when I picked it up, opened the case, and found that it wasn't properly secured. It's in rough cosmetic shape but all the keys work, the platen looks good. I got a repair shop near me and I think I can take care of it but I'm still wondering - did I make a bad call?

I have just refurbished this wonderful typewriter. The information I found about my particular machine with serial number R406785 is contradictory. Is it prewar or postwar?

I’ve wanted one of these in working condition ever since I rented one for use as a prop in a photoshoot earlier this year. And after never ever once stumbling onto a manual typewriter, Royal or otherwise, at a thrift store, antique mall, yard sale or the like I decided to make an offer on an eBay local pickup listing. The thing is in immaculate condition. The platter probably should be replaced just due to age but it still feels good. All the feet are in tact, the escapement seems to be working and the bell chimes. Not really a lot of dust or grime in it either. The only thing I needed to do was rethread the ribbon and she is typing away. The one thing I’ve noticed is the vibrator keeps getting stuck, the ribbon will obscure the typed letters on the page after a few words so I may need to clean that (any advice is most welcomed).

Very excited to be part of the Quiet De Luxe family and FINALLY have a manual typewriter (my main typer is a Smith Corona Electra 110, but I really wanted something I did not have to rely on electricity to use).

Hi folks! I have come into serendipitous ownership of a beautiful 1959 Smith Corona Electric 5TE in seafoam green with its original case (not pictured).

It’s in pretty solid shape, I’ve dusted her off and cleaned the basket with mineral spirits which seems to have fixed my occasionally sticky “e” key.

I’ve discovered that my += key isn’t firing, the arm is disconnected (and dangling over in a spot I have NO idea how it got over there!) so that will be a repair adventure at some point.

Question: what is this wheel/dial on the underside? It’s numbered 1 thru 4 and seems to be a tension wheel? Device? Of some sort? What does it adjust?

I just got new ribbon that I’m planning to put in today. She had old ribbon that was still working, and aesthetically I kind of liked the slightly faded look to the old, starting to dry out ink. But I’m also excited to see the higher contrast of fresh ink 😊

Working on an Anthony Bourdain quote currently in a mix of hand lettering and typeface, I’ll post up once I’m happy with it!

This is the Optima M12 Office Machine from East Germany, the true beast on your table. It has the maximum of functions of a standard manual machine, save for half-spacing. When touch-typing on it, you hardly feel any strain. It is truly one of the best machines ever made!

Hey everyone! This is my first typewriter and I’m very excited. I got this Adler J3 with cursive font with carrying case at my local thrift store for $9!! I’ve been wanting a typewriter for a while but didn’t want to buy one unless I came upon it in the wild.
I’d like to hear what everyone can tell me about this machine. It’s rather grimy but seems to be in great working condition. I’ll get a new ribbon and clean it up, but what’s to know about this?