What is My Typewriter Worth?

The infamous response to the age-old question “What is my typewriter worth?” is typically something to the tune of “Whatever someone is willing to pay for it.” While this witty rebuttal is technically correct, the question remains in ambiguity, with no further insight instilled. Therefore, one must ask “What is someone willing to pay for my typewriter?”

For this explanation, the value and desirability of a typewriter will be analyzed by model, special options, condition of finish, and completeness. Prototypes, first models, and early iterations typically possess more historical significance and often have limited surviving examples, increasing desirability and value. Rarity is often, but not always correlated to value. Additionally, special options including long carriages, alternate finishes, alternate key colors, and non-standard keyboard layouts are often sought after by collectors, increasing desirability and value. The condition of original decals, paint, and plating defines the overall condition of a typewriter. Furthermore, a typewriter with broken or missing parts is considered in worse condition than if all parts were intact. Because parts can be replaced using parts from a donor machine (assuming one is obtainable), a machine’s completeness may have less impact on desirability and value than the previously mentioned factors.

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