Value of old typewriters
Old typewriter value depends on brand, model, rarity, design, color, case, condition, working status, and collector demand.
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Start with brand and model, then document serial number, case, keys, carriage, ribbon, decals, paint, and function. Rare early machines and design icons compare differently.
Auction records are market evidence, not a final appraisal. Condition, authenticity, provenance, completeness, size, rarity, and demand can materially change value.
Quick value checklist
- Photograph the full item, maker plate, serial number, model, labels, case, accessories, mechanism, and damage.
- Measure size and note weight, pickup limits, working condition, missing parts, and safety concerns.
- Include receipts, manuals, keys, attachments, prior repairs, provenance, and restoration records.
Key value drivers
- Rare early models, design icons, color, case, working condition, and completeness support value.
- Common portable typewriters can be modest unless condition or design is strong.
- Missing keys, stuck carriage, repainting, corrosion, and shipping damage reduce value.
Note: We couldn’t find enough auction records that directly match Value of old typewriters to publish a defensible price table. If you are valuing a specific item, include its maker, model, material, photos, and condition so the search can be narrowed.
What similar items actually sold for
To help ground this guide in real market activity, here are recent example auction comps from Appraisily’s internal database. These matched sales are market context only, not an object estimate or identification, and they do not guarantee a price for your specific typewriter.
Shown USD range: USD 11-USD 850. Median of these 10 USD examples: USD 47.50.
| Comparable | What sold | Auction house | Date | Lot | Source-reported amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
L.C. Smith & Corona Antique Typewriter | Catamount Auctions Co., LLC | 2021-04-08 | 11 | USD 40 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Antique Underwood TypewriterSource blocked; provenance matched | Apple Tree Auction Center | 2025-10-20 | 5327 | USD 55 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Royal TypewriterSource blocked; provenance matched | Apple Tree Auction Center | 2024-08-14 | 311 | USD 15 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
VINTAGE AMERICAN SMITH CORONA PORTABLE TYPEWRITERSource blocked; provenance matched | Antique Arena Inc | 2024-06-08 | 681 | USD 20 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
VINTAGE UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITERSource blocked; provenance matched | Converse Auctions | 2021-03-20 | 285 | USD 30 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
1930s ROYAL TYPEWRITERSource blocked; provenance matched | Charleston Estate Auctions | 2023-01-29 | 298 | USD 60 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Vintage Underwood TypewriterSource blocked; provenance matched | Copake Auction Inc. | 2025-08-23 | 22 | USD 850 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Vintage Royal Typewriter**Source blocked; provenance matched | Apple Tree Auction Center | 2025-12-18 | 5202 | USD 11 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
L C Smith & Corona Vintage TypewriterSource blocked; provenance matched | Caswell Prewitt Realty, INC | 2016-02-21 | 126 | USD 65 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Underwood Typewriter Model No. 4Source blocked; provenance matched | Auctions at Showplace | 2025-02-13 | 233 | USD 175 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
How these auction records were verified
Each row retains its exact source URL, lot identity, retrieval time, access result, and immutable record hash. Live source access was blocked; the exact record matched Appraisily's immutable pipeline provenance. Inspect the public comparable provenance record.
Disclosure: prices are shown as reported by auction houses and are provided for appraisal context. Learn more in our editorial policy.
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