Vintage Typewriters

Portable typewriters from the 1950s to the 1970s, most of them with their original case, all of them tested and typing. Olivetti, Silver Reed, Smith Corona, Brother, Imperial, Olympia and Erika, which between them cover most of what was on a British desk in that period.

They are bought for writing far more often than for display, which surprises people. A mechanical portable makes you finish a sentence before you fiddle with it, and there is nothing to charge and nothing to notify you. The Olivetti Lettera is the one most often asked for, the Silver Reed Silverette is the one to hold if you want the nicest action, and the smaller Japanese machines are the sensible starting point if it is a present.

Ribbons are still made for nearly all of these and cost a few pounds. Ask if you want to know whether a particular machine takes a standard spool, and we will check before you buy.