Vintage Typewriters for Sale | Antique Typewriters NZ | Manual Typewriters Online

Buying a vintage typewriter should be fun, not confusing. Whether you want a manual typewriter for writing, an antique typewriter for your desk, or a first machine as a gift, this guide covers what matters. We will look at manual versus electric, the difference between portable and desktop models, the brands worth knowing, and how to check a machine before you buy. Get these basics right and you will end up with a typewriter you actually enjoy using.

What Is a Vintage Typewriter?

A typewriter is a simple machine. You press a key, a metal typebar swings up, and it presses an inked ribbon onto the paper. On a manual model there is no screen, no software, and no battery. That simplicity is the whole appeal. A vintage typewriter is one made decades ago, often built from steel and designed to be repaired rather than thrown away. Many still work beautifully today, which is why antique typewriters are still in demand.

Manual vs Electric Typewriters

A manual typewriter needs no power at all. Your fingers do the work, and you feel every keystroke. An electric typewriter plugs in and uses a motor to strike the page, so the keys take a lighter touch and the type looks very even. Most people who want the classic writing experience choose a manual machine. If you plan to type long documents and prefer less effort, an electric model can suit you better. Each listing tells you which type it is.

Portable vs Desktop Typewriters

Typewriters come in two broad sizes. A portable typewriter is smaller and lighter, usually with its own case, so it is easy to move and store. A desktop or standard typewriter is larger and heavier, built to live in one spot, and it often has a smoother, sturdier action. If you want to write at the kitchen table or carry it to a class, choose a portable. If it will sit on a desk and get daily use, a full-size machine is worth the weight.

The Brands Worth Knowing

A few names come up again and again, and for good reason. Knowing them makes it much easier to spot a good machine.

Royal, Smith-Corona and Remington

These American brands built millions of reliable machines. Royal portables are smooth and well loved, Smith-Corona made some of the most popular portables ever, and Remington has a history going right back to the first typewriters. They are easy to find ribbons for and easy to live with, which makes any of them a safe first choice.

Olivetti and Hermes

For style, it is hard to beat the European makers. The Olivetti Lettera is a design classic that sits in museums as well as on desks. The Swiss-made Hermes 3000 is famous for its smooth, precise feel and is a favourite among writers. Both look wonderful and type beautifully, so they are often the best typewriter for someone who cares about design.

Underwood and Imperial

If you want a grand antique typewriter for display and use, the big Underwood and Imperial desktop models have real presence. They are heavy, handsome, and built like tanks. Many are still going strong a century after they were made, which is part of their charm.

New, Vintage or Refurbished?

You will see three kinds of machine for sale, and it helps to know the difference before you choose.

Brand-New Manual Typewriters

Some makers still produce new manual typewriters in a classic style. They come with a warranty and a fresh ribbon, and they need no restoration. This is a simple, low-risk choice if you just want a working machine with no surprises.

Genuine Vintage Machines

A genuine vintage typewriter has history and character, and no two are quite the same. The trade-off is that condition varies, so it pays to buy from someone who has checked the machine and can tell you honestly how it types.

Refurbished Typewriters

A refurbished machine is a vintage typewriter that has been cleaned, serviced, and tested. You get the character of an older machine with the reassurance that it works. Every product page tells you which of the three you are looking at, so you are never guessing.

What to Check Before You Buy

Whether the machine is new or vintage, a few things make all the difference to how happy you will be with it.

Does It Type Cleanly?

The most important thing is that every key works and the letters print clearly. Old grease can make keys stick, so a machine that has been serviced is worth more than one that has not. We test every typewriter we sell and fit a fresh ribbon before it ships.

The Carriage and the Bell

The carriage is the part that holds the paper and moves across as you type. It should slide smoothly and return with the lever. The little bell that rings near the end of a line should work too. These are simple things to check, and they tell you a lot about a machine's health.

Ribbons and Supplies

A typewriter is only useful with a working ribbon. The good news is that most common machines use a standard spool ribbon that is cheap and easy to find. Our specs list the exact ribbon for each model, so you always know what to order when the type starts to fade.

Which Typewriter Is Best for You?

The right machine depends on how you plan to use it. Here is a quick steer for the most common buyers.

For Writers

If you want to write without distraction, a smooth manual portable is the best typewriter for most writers. The Hermes 3000 and Olivetti Lettera are popular for a reason. They are light, reliable, and a pleasure to type on for hours at a time.

For Beginners and Students

A sturdy manual portable from Royal or Smith-Corona makes a great first typewriter. It is simple, hard to break, and uses common ribbons. It is also a brilliant way for a student to get off screens and onto the page.

For Collectors and Display

If you love the look of a machine as much as using it, an antique Underwood or a striking European model makes a real statement on a shelf or desk. Choose one that has been serviced so it works as well as it looks.

As a Gift

A typewriter is a memorable gift for anyone who writes or loves classic design. Pick a working, ribbon-fitted machine so it can be used straight away, and just ask us if you would like the price left off.

Your Vintage Typewriter Buying Checklist

Before you commit, run through the basics that separate a great machine from a frustrating one.

Condition and Working Order

Buy a machine that has been checked and types cleanly. A serviced typewriter saves you time, money, and frustration down the line.

Size and Use

Match the machine to how you will use it. A portable for moving around, a full-size model for a permanent desk.

Ribbon and Parts

Check the ribbon is a common size that is easy to replace. We list this for every model so there are no surprises later.

Returns and Support

Buy from a seller who stands behind the machine. We cover faulty goods under the Consumer Guarantees Act and help with change-of-mind returns in resaleable condition.

How to Care for Your Typewriter

Looking after a typewriter is easy. Keep it covered or cased when you are not using it so dust stays out. Wipe the body with a soft cloth, and change the ribbon when the type starts to look faint. Avoid oiling it yourself unless you know what you are doing, since the wrong oil can gum up the works. Treated kindly, a good typewriter will keep writing for decades.

The Final Word on Choosing a Vintage Typewriter

Choosing a typewriter comes down to a few simple choices: manual or electric, portable or desktop, and new, vintage or refurbished. Pick the size and style that fit how you will use it, buy a machine that has been checked and types cleanly, and make sure the ribbon is easy to replace. Do that and you will have a typewriter that turns writing back into something you look forward to. Browse our collection above and find the one that speaks to you.