Found this in the basement of an old rental house partially owned by the Mrs. It's an Underwood in obvious need of some TLC. Any idea of value?
Old typewriter ?
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Andy Griffith
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Collectibility of old typewriters is on the rise, but they aren't worth a whole lot unless it is a rare model. Typically, the cost to ship one is far greater than their worth.
That being said, I have an old glass sided Royal (as well as several others)...that I still use to type letters. There is no way one of these could be made today for any reasonable amount of money that a common person could afford.
I really like these things...but Mrs. Griffith doesn't- more stuff to dust.
The one you have pictured looks to be in very, very fine condition- no rust. The worst thing is that there are no metal ribbon spools in it.
Ribbon can be had, but the spools make it look good. There is a typewriter book out there, but I don't have one... I suspect yours is not as old as some since the letter keys are not made by using a paper under a piece of glass held by a grommet. Or possibly are those wooden keys? Bakelite is the more likely material there.
Is there a brand or model number on it somewhere? Can I guess that it is an Underwood? The Royals typically have their logo very prominently displayed, and it doesn't look like a Remington- but I could be wrong.
That being said, I have an old glass sided Royal (as well as several others)...that I still use to type letters. There is no way one of these could be made today for any reasonable amount of money that a common person could afford.
I really like these things...but Mrs. Griffith doesn't- more stuff to dust.
The one you have pictured looks to be in very, very fine condition- no rust. The worst thing is that there are no metal ribbon spools in it.
Ribbon can be had, but the spools make it look good. There is a typewriter book out there, but I don't have one... I suspect yours is not as old as some since the letter keys are not made by using a paper under a piece of glass held by a grommet. Or possibly are those wooden keys? Bakelite is the more likely material there. Is there a brand or model number on it somewhere? Can I guess that it is an Underwood? The Royals typically have their logo very prominently displayed, and it doesn't look like a Remington- but I could be wrong.
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Not much...it's missing the delete and insert keys.
OP
Andy, it IS an Underwood. I'll check for a model number. Thanks for the info. 
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They keyboard looks like a drunk put the letters on...
OP
They keyboard looks like a drunk put the letters on...
Hey hey, only 1 comment per member
OP
Recognize these Sip? See any in the home country?
Andy Griffith
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Yeah,
Wimpy in the Popeye cartoons chases ducks with those things!!!
Wimpy in the Popeye cartoons chases ducks with those things!!!
Somebody was selling those as "Beanie Baby Processors" at a gun show a number of years ago.......
I have often wondered about the worth old typewriters since I have accumulated a few. I have an L.C. Smith in good shape and a couple of others that I can't remember the brand. i have reached the conclusion that old typewriters wont be worth anything until more are thrown away.
Manuel Typewriters are apparently much sought after down here by captians on a lot of the freighters that ply between South America and here. Apparently they are preferred over the electric ones because of current problems or such. Useless piece of trivia that I remember reading in the Baton Rouge paper a few years back.
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Recognize these Sip? See any in the home country?
My grandmother had one those...she said it was for Italian circumcisions....
labworm
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At the moment they don't command a really high price which can change over night if the interest is there.
I had a mint Underwood like shown but probably more expensive model. I sold it for $80.00 probably 10 years ago.
The other object, just a wild guess, grinding meat to feed bears?
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Steve in Vermont
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Ah the joys of carbon paper, erasing a mistake on the original and several copies. Spell check was the dictionary sitting next to you and if the teacher caught you peeking at the keys she took that typewriter away and gave you one w/o the letters printed on them. My grandchildren can now text while holding the device under the table and talking to me without looking down. Now that's progress, I guess.
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I saw this in at a thrift shop when I first got to LA some 25 years ago and picked it up for $20. Being a writer, I figured I would someday display it on an old desk with some other antique writing implements..but alas, it has stayed in my closet all this time....nice shape though...
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I'll trade you that one, for mine and a prop rod
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I'll take a 2nd gen DS or a P220...and throw in some cash...
Is it true that some Italian baby boys take to running before they ever learn to crawl or walk?
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Found this in the basement of an old rental house partially owned by the Mrs. It's an Underwood in obvious need of some TLC. Any idea of value?
Email Andy Rooney at 60 Minutes. He''ll probably buy it from you!
rimfired
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Like dis?
He must have changed his mind, mine's next gen.
Armyphotog
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I've got an Underwood just like it. My Uncle, who I didn't think knew I was alive, gave it to me at 15 years old, when he found out I was going to be a writer and was already working at the local newspaper after school. Mine is still like new, works and everything else. The red and black ribbons are getting harder and harder to find. And, by the way, like everything else I was given or handed down, not worth much of anything. There's a old typewriter in nearly every attic.
They show up at auctions around here now and then.
Usually go for $1 or $2 IF anyone bids on them.
I guess folks just write long hand now --- It is much quieter.
P.S. THEE high school class that's served me the best over the years was Typing. I took it because a girl that I thought I liked took it in summer school. So off to summer school I went.
Turned out that she looked WAY nicer than she actually was.......
Usually go for $1 or $2 IF anyone bids on them.
I guess folks just write long hand now --- It is much quieter.
P.S. THEE high school class that's served me the best over the years was Typing. I took it because a girl that I thought I liked took it in summer school. So off to summer school I went.
Turned out that she looked WAY nicer than she actually was.......
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