Whilst a 1714 patent granted to the Englishman Henry Mill appears to be for a typewriter of sorts, it was not until the 19th century that the modern typewriter began to evolve.

This was arguably Frenchman Xavier Progin's 1833 creation which was originally called 'Machine Kryptographique'.

Several typewriters featured in the 1851 Great Exhibition which was held in London's Hyde Park.

However, real success came later in the 1880's with Remington when they mastered the technical problems of production as well as successfully convincing a previously somewhat indifferent public.

For the next hundred years, the typewriter became an indispensable tool for the office, and occasionally for the home. In first world countries it has been completely superceded by the personal computer, but in less wealthy countries its use continues, although at a declining rate.

The major typewriter manufacturers were Adler, Remington, IBM, Imperial Typewriters, Olivetti, Olympia, Royal more...

100 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

You can reduce the number of items displayed by entering a keyword that must be included in the description of the item.

OR

You can restrict the number of items to those sold in recent years. Select which years:

Valentine portable typewriter, designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr.…

Valentine portable typewriter, designed by Ettore Sottsass Jr. & Perry King for Olivetti, red plastic with Carry case and original box

An Ettore Sottsass Olivetti 'Valentine' typewriter, 1969, Italy.…

An Ettore Sottsass Olivetti 'Valentine' typewriter, 1969, Italy. Original label attached. Without a ribbon. Case height 10.5 cm, width 34.5 cm, depth 35 cm

Lemair Helvetia portable typewriter in case

Lemair Helvetia portable typewriter in case

A Corona typewriter, width 26 cm in timber case

A Corona typewriter, width 26 cm in timber case

Hammond American antique typewriter in timber case, 19th…

Hammond American antique typewriter in timber case, 19th century, 35 cm wide overall

USA Hammond Multiplex typewriter on original wooden base and…

USA Hammond Multiplex typewriter on original wooden base and with original wooden cover, Circa 1913.

Empire #1 typewriter in original tin case circa 1895 - 1910,…

Empire #1 typewriter in original tin case circa 1895 - 1910, similar typewriter seen in Downtown Abbey

Ettore Sottsass Valentine S typewriter for Olivetti; red…

Ettore Sottsass Valentine S typewriter for Olivetti; red plastic case, metal and steel. Italy / Spain; designed 1969; 40 cm high, 34.5 cm wide, 11.5d (upright in case)

Almost as new, late 1990s/early 2000s. Panasonic electronic…

Panasonic Typewriter with Accu-Spell and Thesaurus

Almost as new, late 1990s/early 2000s. Panasonic electronic typewriter: model Kx-R560 featuring 'Accu-Spell plus Thesaurus', 36 x 45 cm; late 1990s/early 2000s.

'The World Type Writer', an antique portable index typewriter,…

Antique Portable Index Typewriter with Carry Box

'The World Type Writer', an antique portable index typewriter, 19th century, invented by John Becker, of Boston, Ma, and patented October 12 1888 (patent no.350,717), housed in a wood carry box, 33 cm wide, 20.5 cm deep

A Corona folding reporter's typewriter, circa 1930, in original…

1930s Corona Folding Typewriter with Vinyl Carry Case

A Corona folding reporter's typewriter, circa 1930, in original vinyl carry case, the typewriter 10 cm high, 27.5 cm wide, 23 cm deep

A Remington number 7 typewriter with original metal cover,…

Remington No. 7 Typewriter with Metal Cover (40cm)

A Remington number 7 typewriter with original metal cover, height 40 cm

Two cased vintage typewriters, Olivetti Lettera 32 & Adler…

Vintage Typewriters: Olivetti & Adler

Two cased vintage typewriters, Olivetti Lettera 32 & Adler Eippa (20

An Hermes 'Baby' typewriter, in working order, requires a new…

Functional Hermes 'Baby' Typewriter with Ink Ribbon Needed

An Hermes 'Baby' typewriter, in working order, requires a new ink ribbon. Height 6.5 cm, width 28 cm, diameter 28 cm

Olivetti personal 55 typewriter in original box and a Olivetti…

Vintage Olivetti Typewriters and Gilford Jackson Transistors Set

Olivetti personal 55 typewriter in original box and a Olivetti Valentine typewriter and two Gilford Jackson designed transistors

Rare Blickensderfer no 6 vintage typewriter, in original case…

Rare Blickensderfer No. 6 Typewriter in Original Case

Rare Blickensderfer no 6 vintage typewriter, in original case the lid stamped P Heyes Wellington c1902-1916. This lighter cast aluminium Blicks model was known as 'The five pound Secretary', both case and typewriter well worn.

Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917-2007) Valentine typewriter,…

Ettore Sottsass' Red Olivetti Valentine Typewriter

Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917-2007) Valentine typewriter, designed 1969 manufactured by Olivetti, red plastic, enamelled metal and rubber, retains manufacturer's label

Olivetti 'Valentine S' vintage red typewriter in red case,…

Vintage Red Olivetti Valentine S Typewriter in Case

Olivetti 'Valentine S' vintage red typewriter in red case, circa 1960's, the case 11 cm high, 35 cm wide, 35 cm deep

Ettore Sottsass 'Valentine' typewriter for Olivetti, red ABS…

E. Sottsass 'Valentine' Typewriter for Olivetti (1969)

Ettore Sottsass 'Valentine' typewriter for Olivetti, red ABS plastic, original box and paperwork, Italy, designed 1969

Vintage Underwood portable typewriter in hard case circa 1950's

1950's Underwood Portable Typewriter in Hard Case

Vintage Underwood portable typewriter in hard case circa 1950's

Three vintage Typewriters, Imperial portable 200, brother…

Vintage Typewriters with Manuals

Three vintage Typewriters, Imperial portable 200, brother electronic Ce-25 & a Smith Corona Word Processing typewriter, two with instruction booklets

Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917-2007) Valentine typewriter,…

Red Valentine Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti

Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917-2007) Valentine typewriter, designed 1969 manufactured by Olivetti, red plastic, enamelled metal and rubber

Two vintage typewriters including a Lemair Helvetia and a…

Vintage Typewriters: Lemair Helvetia & Brother Correction 8

Two vintage typewriters including a Lemair Helvetia and a brother Correction 8

An Olivetti Dora red typewriter

Red Olivetti Dora Typewriter

An Olivetti Dora red typewriter

Ettore Sottsass 'Valentine Typewriter' for Olivetti; red…

Sottsass' Valentine Typewriter for Olivetti

Ettore Sottsass 'Valentine Typewriter' for Olivetti; red painted metal and plastic; Italy; c 1968; 11 cm high, 33 cm wide, 35 cm deep

An American Louis marks tinplate child's toy dial typewriter,…

1920 Louis Marks Toy Typewriter

An American Louis marks tinplate child's toy dial typewriter, circa 1920, 28 cm across

A rare Hammond typewriter, in excellent condition and with…

Rare Hammond Typewriter with Original Wood Cover

A rare Hammond typewriter, in excellent condition and with original wood cover. Produced in America from the 1880s they were the only competition for Remington typewriters.

Red Olivetti Valentine S typewriter with case designed by…

Olivetti Valentine S Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass

Red Olivetti Valentine S typewriter with case designed by Ettore Sottsass

'Yost' interesting vintage typewriter in original leather…

Vintage Typewriter in Leather Case from HMS Moldavia Estate

'Yost' interesting vintage typewriter in original leather travel case with labels from HMS Moldavia (ex Bonython Estate)

Early Continental typewriter

Vintage Continental Typewriter

Early Continental typewriter

Vintage Hermes baby portable typewriter, in pale green finish…

Pale Green Hermes Baby Portable Typewriter with Case and Paperwork

Vintage Hermes baby portable typewriter, in pale green finish with hard case, original paperwork

An Underwood manual portable typewriter and cover

Portable Typewriter with Cover

An Underwood manual portable typewriter and cover

An antique French Lambert typewriter, with ebonised tilting…

French Lambert Typewriter with Original Booklet and Catalogue

An antique French Lambert typewriter, with ebonised tilting index mechanism and dial, and cast iron base. With original booklet and Christie's catalogue.

Remington Monarch Typewriter and two others, with case, some…

3 Typewriters with Case - Some Wear

Remington Monarch Typewriter and two others, with case, some wear

A vintage Underwood typewriter, Canadian, in black, with…

Canadian Underwood Typewriter with Original Case

A vintage Underwood typewriter, Canadian, in black, with original case

Antique Remington no7 typewriter

Antique Remington Typewriter, No. 7

Antique Remington no7 typewriter

Vintage Valentine Olivetti Typewriter in case c1960s in the…

Red Olivetti Typewriter in Portable Case (1960s)

Vintage Valentine Olivetti Typewriter in case c1960s in the classic red with black keys and portable hard case

Corona No.3 portable typewriter, with case, accessories and…

Corona No.3 Portable Typewriter with Case and Accessories

Corona No.3 portable typewriter, with case, accessories and instructions, case a/f

Ettore Sottsass Dora Typewriter for Olivetti, pale grey metal,…

Pale Grey Olivetti Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass

Ettore Sottsass Dora Typewriter for Olivetti, pale grey metal, Italy, c. 1975

A vintage American Hammond typewriter C. 1905, sold by McKay…

Antique Hammond Typewriter on Oak Stand

A vintage American Hammond typewriter C. 1905, sold by McKay Brothers in New Zealand. Quartered sawn oak stand and oak veneer moulded case. Dimensions 40 cm x 43 cm x 18 cm

Imperial Model 58 typewriter, circa 1940, 44 cm wide approx

1940 Imperial Model 58 Typewriter - 44cm Wide

Imperial Model 58 typewriter, circa 1940, 44 cm wide approx

Corona 3 portable typewriter, with carry case (29 cm wide)…

Vintage Corona Typewriter with Carry Case

Corona 3 portable typewriter, with carry case (29 cm wide) circa 1912-41

Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917-2007), Valentine Typewriter,…

Ettore Sottsass' Valentine Typewriter by Olivetti

Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917-2007), Valentine Typewriter, designed 1969, manufactured by Olivetti, red plastic, enamelled metal and rubber, height 11.5 cm width 35.5 cm depth 34 cm, Labels: Cf. for comparison Jan Burney, Ettore Sottsass, Taplinger…

A vintage Royal Typewriter. Made in the British Empire, circa…

1930s British Empire Royal Typewriter

A vintage Royal Typewriter. Made in the British Empire, circa 1930

Vintage Underwood typewriter

Classic Underwood Typewriter

Vintage Underwood typewriter

An Olivetti Studio 42 Typewriter

Vintage Olivetti Typewriter

An Olivetti Studio 42 Typewriter

Ettore Sottsas Valentine Typewriter for Olivetti, red plastic,…

Red Olivetti Valentine Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass, 1969

Ettore Sottsas Valentine Typewriter for Olivetti, red plastic, original case, Italy, c 1969

Vintage Remington typewriter

Retro Remington Typewriter

Vintage Remington typewriter

A Hermes 2000 typewriter in original box Swiss made

Swiss-made Hermes 2000 typewriter in original box

A Hermes 2000 typewriter in original box Swiss made

A Typewriter Polyglot. Mark Hammond. No. 12. New York . 1905,…

Polyglot Typewriter with Wooden Base

A Typewriter Polyglot. Mark Hammond. No. 12. New York . 1905, with wooden base

A Hermes 'Baby' cased Typewriter

Hermes Baby Typewriter in Case

A Hermes 'Baby' cased Typewriter

An Ettore Sottsass 'Valentine' Typewriter, Olivetti, late…

Red Olivetti 'Valentine' Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass

An Ettore Sottsass 'Valentine' Typewriter, Olivetti, late 1960's, red cased. (case clips missing)

A Bijou Typewriter, portable size. No case. Width 38 cm. (a/f)

Portable Bijou Typewriter (a/f)

A Bijou Typewriter, portable size. No case. Width 38 cm. (a/f)

An Hermes baby typewriter in green

Green Hermes Baby Typewriter

An Hermes baby typewriter in green

An Olympia Typewriter, SM3 in case olive green Deluxe de Luxe

Olympia Deluxe Typewriter in Olive Green Case

An Olympia Typewriter, SM3 in case olive green Deluxe de Luxe

Ettore Sottsass Typewriter for Olivetti, red ABS plastic and…

Red Olivetti Typewriter by Ettore Sottsass

Ettore Sottsass Typewriter for Olivetti, red ABS plastic and other materials, 11 cm high, 34 cm wide, 35 cm deep, c1970s, Italy

Corona portable typewriter in case with original instruction…

Corona Typewriter with Errol Flynn Provenance

Corona portable typewriter in case with original instruction book and spare ribbons. Provenance: Purported to have belonged to Errol Flynn's family in Tasmania

A Smith-Corona 'Super Speed' Typewriter, circa early 1940s,…

Restored 1940s Smith-Corona Typewriter

A Smith-Corona 'Super Speed' Typewriter, circa early 1940s, with maker's mark of L C Smith, USA, a fully restored ribbon typewriter in black. Height 25 cm. Width 43 cm. Depth 37 cm

Vintage Remington portable typewriter

Classic Remington Portable Typewriter

Vintage Remington portable typewriter

An early 20th century Imperial typewriter

Vintage Imperial Typewriter from the 1900s

An early 20th century Imperial typewriter

A Remington standard typewriter No.10, early 20th century.

Early 20th Century Remington Typewriter

A Remington standard typewriter No.10, early 20th century.

A Remington Standard Typewriter No. 7 manufactured by Wyckoff,…

Antique Remington Typewriter, Circa 1905

A Remington Standard Typewriter No. 7 manufactured by Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict, New York, U.S.A, Circa 1905

A rare 1920's side action typewriter 'The Oliver'.

Rare 1920s Side Action Typewriter: The Oliver

A rare 1920's side action typewriter 'The Oliver'.

A rare 1920's typewriter 'The Empire'

"The Empire" 1920's Typewriter

A rare 1920's typewriter 'The Empire'

A large format Underwood standard typewriter circa 1915

Antique Underwood Typewriter, 1915

A large format Underwood standard typewriter circa 1915

A 1920s German AEG Mignon model 4 index typewriter in working…

Working AEG Mignon Typewriter with Rare Factory Fault

A 1920s German AEG Mignon model 4 index typewriter in working condition complete with original case rare manufacturer's factory fault: the backspace key actually forward spaces 21 cm high, 35 cm wide, 33 cm deep

A 1950s Hermes 2000 typewriter with original case and manual 15…

1950s Hermes 2000 Typewriter with Case and Manual

A 1950s Hermes 2000 typewriter with original case and manual 15 cm high, 32 cm wide, 35 cm deep

A 1930s Remington typewriter 27 cm high, 55 cm wide, 36 cm deep

Vintage Remington Typewriter from the 1930s

A 1930s Remington typewriter 27 cm high, 55 cm wide, 36 cm deep

A 1920s German AEG Mignon model 4 index typewriter in working…

1920s German AEG Mignon Typewriter with Original Case

A 1920s German AEG Mignon model 4 index typewriter in working condition complete with original case 21 cm high, 35 cm wide, 33 cm deep

An Italian Olivetti Typewriter 11 cm high, 33 cm wide, 35 cm…

Compact Italian Olivetti Typewriter

An Italian Olivetti Typewriter 11 cm high, 33 cm wide, 35 cm deep

Vintage Mignon typewriter in a Bentwood carry case

Vintage Mignon Typewriter in Bentwood Case

Vintage Mignon typewriter in a Bentwood carry case

Two vintage Royal Typewriters

Vintage Royal Typewriters: A Classic Duo

Two vintage Royal Typewriters

Antique Smith Premier number 1 typewriter 1888 model, with…

1888 Smith Premier Typewriter with Double Keyboard

Antique Smith Premier number 1 typewriter 1888 model, with double key board, up strike & blind writer

Early Typewriter, Hammond

Antique Hammond Typewriter

Early Typewriter, Hammond

Minitype typewriter for little Boys & girls in original box

Mini Typewriter for Kids in Original Box

Minitype typewriter for little Boys & girls in original box

Vintage Royal black enamel typewriter, Royal Typewriter Co INC…

Vintage Royal Typewriter in Good Working Order

Vintage Royal black enamel typewriter, Royal Typewriter Co INC N.Y U.S.A. Good working order

two vintage portable typewriters incl simple Aristocrat and a…

Vintage Typewriters and HMV Records

two vintage portable typewriters incl simple Aristocrat and a Remmington Rand and some HMV Records

Remington portable, model 5, Australian made typewriter, with…

Australian-made Remington Portable Typewriter with Case

Remington portable, model 5, Australian made typewriter, with case

Underwood standard number five typewriter

Vintage Underwood Typewriter - Standard Number Five

Underwood standard number five typewriter

Early Corona folding portable typewriter No. 3, in carry case.…

Vintage Corona Portable Typewriter in Carry Case

Early Corona folding portable typewriter No. 3, in carry case. Return spring broken. Width 24 cm

Remington Standard typewriter. Made in USA, # 34,818

Vintage Remington Typewriter #34,818

Remington Standard typewriter. Made in USA, # 34,818

Hammond Multiplex typewriter, in original oak case. Mode in USA,…

Vintage Hammond Typewriter in Oak Case (9 words)

Hammond Multiplex typewriter, in original oak case. Mode in USA, #111180. Circa 1915

'Baby Rem' typewriter. By Remington, circa 1928. This is the…

Remington Baby Typewriter, 1928

'Baby Rem' typewriter. By Remington, circa 1928. This is the rarer version to the 'Rem-Blick' portable model.

'Junior' typewriter, by E M Dover. Made in England. Note the…

E M Dover's 'Junior' Typewriter with Movable Key Selector

'Junior' typewriter, by E M Dover. Made in England. Note the action that has the movable key selector.

The Pullman Model A typewriter. Circa 1909, # 27911

Vintage Pullman Typewriter (1909)

The Pullman Model A typewriter. Circa 1909, # 27911

Yost typewriter. Model 4. Note the separate upper & lower case…

Yost Typewriter Model 4 with Grasshopper Leg Action

Yost typewriter. Model 4. Note the separate upper & lower case keys and the appealing full circular hammer barrel (inkpot) where the hammers rest. As with the Williams, this model has the grasshopper leg action.

Adler Model No. 7 typewriter. Made in Germany, # 254434

Adler Model 7 Typewriter - Made in Germany

Adler Model No. 7 typewriter. Made in Germany, # 254434

Williams No. 2 typewriter, with unusual grasshopper leg…

Antique Typewriter with Grasshopper Leg Strikers

Williams No. 2 typewriter, with unusual grasshopper leg strikers. Circa 1875, # 10606.

Klein-Adler typewriter. Made in Frankfurt, Germany, # 265813

Klein-Adler Typewriter from Frankfurt, Germany

Klein-Adler typewriter. Made in Frankfurt, Germany, # 265813

Geniatus typewriter. Made in Germany, wood & bakelite knobs

German Geniatus Typewriter with Wood and Bakelite Knobs

Geniatus typewriter. Made in Germany, wood & bakelite knobs

Mignon typewriter in original oak case. With label, 'Made for…

Mignon Typewriter in Oak Case - Simplex Visible Equipment Limited

Mignon typewriter in original oak case. With label, 'Made for the Simplex Visible Equipment Limited'. #280639

Bing No. 2 typewriter. 'Bing Student Type' model, set on an oak…

Bing Student Type on Oak Base Typewriter

Bing No. 2 typewriter. 'Bing Student Type' model, set on an oak base.

Imperial B typewriter. Circa 1915. This model has the easily…

Removable keyboard Imperial B typewriter (1915)

Imperial B typewriter. Circa 1915. This model has the easily removable keyboard and type basket.

Blickensderfer typewriter. Rare 'Aluminium Featherweight' model.…

Rare Blickensderfer Typewriter, Circa 1905

Blickensderfer typewriter. Rare 'Aluminium Featherweight' model. Circa 1905. Made in USA, # 153341

Lambert Model 1 typewriter. Made in England, circa 1904. # 7946

Antique Lambert Typewriter, England 1904

Lambert Model 1 typewriter. Made in England, circa 1904. # 7946

An S&N Bijou early manual typewriter with case

S&N Bijou Typewriter with Case

An S&N Bijou early manual typewriter with case