Looking for a typewriter as a gift

[Jeff7181]

My girlfriend has a good sized book collection and long story short, I got her a card catalog for her birthday because she's always wanted one. What I'd also like to do is get her an antique-looking typewriter for creating the cards. So it needs to be functional... I need to be able to get ink for it, etc.

I know next to nothing about typewriters, so I don't really even know where to start. But I think for her purpose, the older the typewriter, the better, as long as its still functional.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What is your budget? Ebay seems to have quite a few vintage typewriters for sale.

 

[Jon-T]

This looks cool.

http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/ernie-pyles-typewriter/

They are on ebay as well as antique stores.

 

[NutBucket]

Mechanical typewriters are pretty built-proof and ribbons are actually fairly easy to find IMHO. Heck, my dad still uses one to fill out his tax forms and address envelopes.

 

[Drako]

Read this:

http://www.ebay.com/gds/Vintage-Typewriter-Buying-Guide-/10000000178706321/g.html

 

[DaveSimmons]

An IBM Selectric with the type balls (or the Wheelwriter replacement) might be a good choice since they were so popular and were made for so many years. On the other hand the gears and motor to spin the ball make them more complicated.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Selectric_typewriter (also has link for wheelwriter)

eBay's top 10 blog: http://www.ebay.com/gds/Top-10-Typewriters-/10000000204926748/g.html

 

[Jeff7181]

I was hoping to keep it under $200. I've been looking at them all on eBay but there's so many it's a little overwhelming. Not really sure what I'm looking at. I think something like this Royal would be right up her alley but this particular one is a bit more money than I wanted to spend on it. It looks extremely clean though, so maybe it's worth the money.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ROY...ASE-KEY-1941-GORGEOUS-CONDITION-/121965766855

 

[lxskllr]

I was hoping to keep it under $200. I've been looking at them all on eBay but there's so many it's a little overwhelming. Not really sure what I'm looking at. I think something like this Royal would be right up her alley but this particular one is a bit more money than I wanted to spend on it. It looks extremely clean though, so maybe it's worth the money.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ROY...ASE-KEY-1941-GORGEOUS-CONDITION-/121965766855

I have one like that. It was my father's when he was in college. It's a nice machine, and still works great. I also have an old Underwood I got to make a steampunk keyboard, but it's in too good of shape to cut up, so it collects dust.

 

[Brian Stirling]

There is but one choice -- the IBM Selectric. Though, there are some variants of it.

100 years from now there will be parts available for the Selectric and people with the skill to fix them.


Brian

 

[NutBucket]

I would hit up Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. That's where the deals are to be had.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I would hit up Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. That's where the deals are to be had.

Dont forget pawnshops, swap meets and, antique stores.

 

[gorobei]

ribbons seem to be readily available. that's good.

choices
manual vs electric
typebar vs ball

my advice is if this is meant for doing a significant amount of work, go for an old electric. manuals can make errors that force you to scrap everything and start over.

 

[NutBucket]

Meh, that takes the "character" out of it. For what the OP described a manual typewriter is the best choice.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Cosmetics and girl-approval-factor are a bigger deal here than the bulletproof awesomeness that is a Selectric.

I have a portable one similar to this (although a decade or two newer) that's kinda cute. Picked it up for $30 at a Goodwill. I believe: the deals are out there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-DEC...856875?hash=item1c65f8516b:g:HqQAAOSwbdpWY1c9

 

[John Connor]

When I was a kid I asked my mom for a typewriter for Christmas. To my amazement I got it. It wasn't a real typewriter so to speak. It was made of plastic. I'm sure she picked it up at Toys R Us. And I would type the news of the day on it for the family. LOL! That was one of the great Christmas's I had when I think about it. Because that was when I got a mini tape recorder as well to take notes and do my interviewing. LOL!

 

[NutBucket]

I remember getting a plastic typewriter too! But I guess I was never the wordy type so it never got much use from me.

 

[sdifox]

Get an Underwood.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WORKING-ANTIQUE-UNDERWOOD-STANDARD-LARGE-30lb-MECHANICAL-TYPEWRITER-/221937874050?hash=item33ac873482:g:3JoAAOSwT5tWQnw3

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Get an Underwood.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WORKING-ANTIQUE-UNDERWOOD-STANDARD-LARGE-30lb-MECHANICAL-TYPEWRITER-/221937874050?hash=item33ac873482:g:3JoAAOSwT5tWQnw3

That's pretty fargging cool.

Is she into steampunk?

 

[SKORPI0]

I would hit up Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. That's where the deals are to be had.

Saw this at the local thrift shop the day OP posted. Didn't plug it in to test if it works.

IBM Wheelwriter 19 Series II
refurb for $ 279.95. - http://www.refurbexpress.com/ProductDetail.asp?idproduct=1081&idCategory=32