A vintage item that has been recently making a comeback are typewriters. Typewriters were a drafting machine that could concoct printed words on paper in a matter of minutes. A few years shortly after the mid-70s, when personal computers where beginning to become popular, typewriters began to lose their practicality. The age of the computer and newfound printing technology began taking shape and soon altogether typewriters were out fashion. 

They’ve, however, reemerged into popularity in the past few years and many people own them purely for the aesthetic of collecting them. Some of them even collect them to use in place of a computer. If you find yourself with a typewriter or two and have no use for them then come down to A to Z Guns and Pawn to sell them. You might be surprised to find that you can make decent money off of these intricate machines.

Below are just some factors that go into determining the value of a typewriter. Familiarize yourself with them and see how much money you can possibly make off of yours.

Condition

First and foremost, you want to make sure the overall condition of your typewriter is in good standing. To determine the condition of it you must assess two of its features: appearance and function.

Appearance

Look at your typewriter and see if it’s rusty, chipped, dented, or if it has any other unappealing traits. If you find none, fantastic! Otherwise, try to get it restored. You can hire a professional service to have your typewriter appear spanking new. It’ll cost you a little money to get it looking fresh but the investment can be worthwhile.

Function

Next is the function, and you might have to do a little research on your specific typewriter to see what it’s capable of. Take a piece of paper and place it in the roll. Make sure there’s a ribbon in the typewriter and clack away. Do you see words appearing on the paper? How many of those buttons you’ve pushed actually produce a letter? Can your typewriter change the color of the ribbon? Does the ribbon-switching mechanism work?

We can go on and on about the different functions that your typewriter might have, but you get the point. There are features to your typewriter that need to be assessed and determined if they still work or not. If a few things or nothing works on your typewriter then you need to get it repaired if you want good money in return.

Age

How old is the typewriter? Age is a huge factor in determining the worth of your typewriter. All typewriters created before the adoption of at-home computers are considered vintage, but how “vintage” is yours? Typically the older they are, the more valuable they are. The most sought after typewriters are ones that have been around before WWII. Anything after some collectors won’t go for. But you can still sell them for a fairly good price.

Rarity

How rare is the typewriter? Your typewriter may have been made after WWII – which can lessen the value –  but how many of its model was made? The rarity of the typewriter is also usually increased by quirky features that were made with it. Some examples include a “noiseless” feature or the ability to change the font. Yours might have a rare feature that can’t be physically seen – which is why you should further toy with it and see what secrets it possesses.

Brand

There were hundreds of companies that produced typewriters back when they were deemed practical. Because of this, determining a value based on the brand of your typewriter can be a little tricky. More popular brands typically don’t sell for much money. But – and after you do your research – if you find yourself in possession of a rare brand item go to a local pawn shop and see if you can get some serious moolah off of it. If you live in the Broward County area, visit A to Z Guns and Pawn; we can strike a good deal with you.

Font

When you test out the functions of your typewriter take a closer look at the font style. Generic fonts don’t necessarily contribute a high value (such as something similar to Times New Roman). Examples of highly valuable fonts on a typewriter include italics or cursive lettering. A typewriter that has the option to switch fonts is highly sought after by collectors.

Is It Foreign?

European typewriters in America are generally more valuable and sought after. But that also depends on the model. Some foreign models were mass-produced and shipped to America which lessens their value. Some examples of rare foreign ones are Continental, Urania, and Imperial Good Companion Model 1. If you find a company name on your typewriter, look them up and see their history.

Portable vs Desktop

For now, the mass majority are only interested in portable typewriters. The reason being is because they are much easier to store away. Portable typewriters are often attached to a carrying case and can easily be detached and placed on a surface for use or display. If the owner doesn’t wish to do any of the latter two then it can be kept in storage. If you own a portable typewriter, consider selling it for profit. If you own a desktop one, don’t be disdained. While they aren’t popular now desktop typewriters might become popular in the future.

Have a Typewriter? Come sell it at A to Z Guns and Pawn

For over two decades A to Z Guns and Pawn have serviced Deerfield Beach and the rest of the Broward County area with the selling and buying of firearms and other various items. If you happen to have a typewriter and think it might be highly valuable, don’t hesitate to stop by our store. Call us at 954-941-1826 or visit our contact page.