The story of the typewriter

During the 1800s, many inventors tried their hand at creating a “writing machine.” It wasn’t until Christopher Latham Sholes took to the project in 1868 that the famous typewriter was created. Vintage typewriters revolutionized society over the next 50 years, simplifying and creating thousands of jobs. The first commercially available unit was the Model 1 Remington Typewriter. Enthusiasts may know that this first version had no shift key and typed only in capital letters. However, its keyboard was nearly identical to our QWERTY keyboards today, and over time was updated with shift, backspace, and number keys.

Electric typewriters vs. manual typewriters

You’ll find both manual and electric typewriters from sellers on Etsy. Manual typewriters don’t require electricity, instead using the pressure of your finger to apply ink to paper. These keyboards emit that oh-so-satisfying clack sound as you type and are loved by collectors and writers alike. Electric typewriters greatly improved the manual method, using electricity to power the keystrokes for smoother, more efficient typing.

Typewriter ink and paper

Of course, there would be no way to use your beloved typewriter without the correct ink and paper. Typewriter ink ribbons , just like printer ink, will eventually run out of juice. Pick up a new spool from a shop on Etsy, and refresh your work with a new color of ink. Ensure you have everything to type up a sonnet for your sweetheart with typewriter paper . For an extra touch of romance, use a sheet of handmade paper made with love, for the people you love.

Typewriters

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Review spotlight

Here is a selection of four-star and five-star reviews from customers who were delighted with the products they found in this category.

sarah barraquand

5 out of 5 stars

"There was an issue with the first shipping but the seller reacted very fast, I received the new parcel before Christmas. The typewriter is perfect"

Olivetti Lettera 32
Ivy Roberts

5 out of 5 stars

"Gorgeous typewriter in great condition! I’ll need to order a new ribbon (which I expected) before I can use it but I’m excited nevertheless! Thank you so much, Roman. It arrived very well packaged and in a timely manner."

OLYMPIA TRAVELLER de Luxe Vintage Green Typewriter 70s Working condition Made in Western Germany Manual Typewriter with case Birthday gifts
Stacy Wade

5 out of 5 stars

"The typewriter is in pristine condition and is absolutely beautiful. Exceeds expectations."

PRO - 2 Years Warranty! Olivetti Lettera 32, Mint Condition Perfectly Working Typewriter, Professionally Serviced by Typewriter.Company
Hazel Rankin

5 out of 5 stars

"Very beautiful unique birthday card. The recipient loves it and talks about it all the time. Second one I have purchased. Love the whole typewriter 3D look, very well made. So pleased with my purchase."

personalised, typewriter, popup card with keys
Lauren Morgan

5 out of 5 stars

"Gorgeous typewriter and very friendly sellers"

Pink UNIS typewriter made in Yugoslavia
Michael

5 out of 5 stars

"So impressed with this seller! Looked and searched a long time and found this typewriter on Etsy... Never used Etsy before and was a little apprehensive but the seller Alex was very responsive and answered all my questions. I went ahead and ordered it.. Shipping was very reasonable and arrived in a few days and was half way across Europe! Delighted with it.. Its exactly as pictured. Seller is to be recommended! 5 stars"

60% OFF! Rheinmetall KST Typewriter, original black color in awesome condition. from the 1950s. Collectable. Unusual gift.

Typewriters

Underwood 3 Bank Typewriter Rare 1930s Typewriter with case Working Typewriter Collectible Typewriter

OLYMPIA TRAVELLER de Luxe Vintage Green Typewriter 70s Working condition Made in Western Germany Manual Typewriter with case Birthday gifts

60% OFF! Adler Tippa, portable vintage typewriter from the 1960s, Good condition, unique gift

Neckermann Brillant Junior (GROMA Kolibri), Rare Vintage 1957 Gray-green Typewriter | Ultraportable typewriter in original case

Vintage Typewriter Optima SM40, 00е, Retro Typewriters, Working Typewriter, Portable Typewriter

60% OFF!* Genuine Iconic Rare Princess 100 a portable working vintage typewriter from from the 1960’s, with case and manual, unusual gift

Consul 2313 vintage portable typewriter Classic typewriter Birthday gifts for writers Unusual gift Gifts for students Working typewriter

1960 Rare Chocolate Brown Olympia SM4 Typewriter (Serviced & Ready to Write) - Burgundy Keys

1968 Coral and Cream Custom Painted Brother Charger 11 Typewriter (Serviced and Ready to Write)

OLYMPIA TRAVELLER de Luxe Vintage Typewriter 70s Working Typewriter Made in Western Germany Birthday White Typewriter with Case and ribbon

Excellent Olivetti Underwood Studio 44 Typewriter

HERMES 3000 typewriter original Light green / in perfect working order - restored - with original case

Typewriter Brother Deluxe 800 Vintage portable Typewriter Made in Japan Classic Typewriter Working Typewriter with Case Yellow typewriter

Working Smith-Corona Typewriter: Clipper | Vintage 1949 | Portable Typewriter | Brown | Manual | Original Color | Made in USA | 1940s

Pink UNIS typewriter made in Yugoslavia

1927 Jet Black Corona 4 Manual Typewriter & Case - Free Shipping to Lower 48!

1937 Remington Noiseless Portable Typewriter with original case – Fully Operational

Typewriter Olympia Splendid 66 Black Vintage Typewriter with Case 60's Classic Typewriter Unusual gift for writer Portable Typewriter

Typewriter Wanderer Werke Akt.-Ges Chemnitz Continental 34 - 1932 in mint condition

Very Rare OLIVETTI LETTERA 32 1971! Made in Italy Watermelon Red Original Color Perfect Working Typewriter

Vintage SCM Smith Corona Sterling Portable Manual Working Typewriter Ready to Type Right out of the Box

Remington Rand Deluxe Model 5 portable manual typewriter & case Works! Could use detail cleaning/fine tuning. Great machine from the 1940s

Hermes 3000 wide typewriter large carriage

1937 Royal De Luxe Working Typewriter

Vintage Smith Corona Electric Typewriter Vtg 70s 80s Electra XT - 3L Portable w/ Hard Case

Vintage Silver-Reed Leader II Typewriter Red With Case

Hermes Baby typewriter

1973 - Rare Cursive Script - Black and Silver - Olivetti Lettera 33 Typewriter - Serviced - Gordon Keith Collection

Olympia Splendid NA1HH memory correct typewriter in original box with manual

Rare Arabic / Persian Working Typewriter! Brother Deluxe Typewriter Working | Antique, Portable Typewriter With Case | Old Arabic Typewriter

60% OFF!* Olympia Splendid 66 typewriter, a portable vintage typewriter from the 1960s. In very good condition, with a case

Olivetti studio 44

Royal Wide Carriage Touch Control Railroad Style

Cursive Typeface*! Triumph Tippa S Working Typewriter, İtalic Font, Vintage, Antique gift Christmas, New Years Gift

Extremely RARE 1898 Oliver 2 working typewriter w/ original case. Museum quality

Vintage 1940's Model Remington Rand Deluxe Model 5 Manual Typewriter

Olympia Splendid 33/66 Typewriter - QWERTZ Keyboard, White Keys, Orange Elegance, and Matching Bag - A Premium Gift for Writers and Typewrit

Hermes Baby Featherweight Portable Typewriter

1957 Super Silent PLEASE READ Full Description! | Demo & Tutorial Videos | New Ribbon | Serviced |

60% OFF! Olympia SM2 Typewriter, original Olive-green color in awesome condition, from the early 1950s. Unusual gift

Red Royal TAB-O-MATIC typewriter

Cursive*! Adler Tippa Working Typewriter,İtalic font, Writer poet gift, Portable, Vintage, Retro typewriter, manuel machine, mom days

Smith Corona Electronic Typewriter Portable Spell Right Dictionary II SD 250

Royal 200 typewriter

Olivetti Lettera 82 Typewriter | Original Hard Cover| Mid Green | Vintage Retro 80s

Vintage Remington Rem-ette Portable Typewriter

Vintage Brother Electric Typewriter 4512 Power Carriage w/ Hard Case 80s Office Equipment

A Mid-Century Gem! Erika Typewriter, Model 10, 1963 QWERTY keyboard! Superb condition with superb Case. All original documents and tools!

Typewriter Brother Deluxe 800 70s Vintage Portable Made in Japan Classic Typewriter Unusual gift for writer Blue typewriter with case

Smith Corona Electronic Typewriter Portable Spell Right Dictionary II XL 2000

Hermès baby white typewriter

1962 Pastel Yellow Wedgefield Kmart 100 Typewriter by Brother (Serviced and Ready to Write)

Typewriter Erika Naumann no.5 1930's Portable typewriter in Good Working Condition Antique Typewriter Typewriter Metal typewriter with case

Remington Portable #3 Typewriter

RARE! Burgundy Rheinmetall KsT typewriter with glass keys

1963 Star Mist Blue Smith Corona Sterling Typewriter (Serviced) - Ready to Write - Gordon Keith Collection

Vintage Olympia Carina 3 typewriter

Vintage 1960's REMINGTON Quiet-Riter Eleven Portable Mechanical Typewriter

Antique Remington Rand Model 1 Portable Typewriter C.1933

Stunning Mystery Smith Corona Typewriter, Working, Serviced, With Guarantee

Underwood Typewriter 1925 | Vintage Elegance | Antique Charm | Home Decor | Vintage Gifts | Office Gift- Vintage Typewriter Working

SALE!* ARABIC Brother Deluxe 760 TR typewriter, a vintage manual and portable typewriter in working condition, 1960s typewriter.

1938 Royal KHM Working Vintage Desktop Typewriter w New Ink

Rare 1960 Sears Tower President XII Typewriter (Serviced) Ready to Write - Cream & Chocolate - Tuxedo - Gordon Keith Typewriter Collection

There's so much more for you to discover

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