Typewriters are popular collectibles, particularly very early models, and typewriters with past famous owners or a particularly fascinating pedigree, which frequently fetch extremely high prices on eBay. Because they are cumbersome, regularly soiled, need masses of careful cleaning and sometimes repairs, most Underwood Typewriters, old and modern, are overlooked and fetched inexpensive prices at local offline auction houses. Notwithstanding this, any person willing to spend time cleaning, researching, correcting and finally packing a typewriter, will find prepared bidders on eBay in both the UK and USA, and without doubt other countries, too. Typewriters don't always bring lovely prices, but most early typewriters, from the late 1800s and early 1900s seldom go unsold on eBay so you are nearly always making money. Latest eBay costs range from $73 for an early Empire Typewriter from 1892, to $380 for a Salter Standard Victorian Typewriter in original tin carry case. More surprising typewriter types attract premium costs, for example a Braille typewriter that went for $142 and an early double Underwood Typewriter that fetched $127.
For example, at Sotheby's a Merritt typewriter from 1895 went for $715 some years ago, and at Koln in Germany The Auction Team valued a rare Imperial Typewriter, one of only three known to exist, at between $7,000 and $8,000.Since the first successful commercial typewriters were introduced in the late 1860s many unusual designs have emerged, some plain and simple, others intricate and stunningly detailed. One of the simplest and earliest designs had a wheel with letters round the edge which was turned manually until the required letter appeared in front of the paper and was pushed to form an impression. More complicated typewriters had double keyboards, one for lower case, the other for capitals, and were created in brass and mother of pearl hand painted with glorious gilded leaves and flowers. These are the kind of unusual models to watch out for at non-specialist auctions and they're almost certain to attract high prices on eBay.
There are no catalogues or price guides for old typewriters such as those you'll find updated annually for postcards and stamps, coins and ceramics. There simply aren't enough collectors, or typewriters, to warrant special listings. Value, like many low volume collectibles is best determined at auction, and is the point where the price someone is willing to pay matches what the current owner will accept. By far the highest prices are paid for typewriters in good, clean, working condition, with or without restoration work. You should clean typewriters carefully, getting right into the tiniest of grooves without causing damage to keys which were often long and spindly and unexpectedly delicate.
Best places to buy are at general auction or from long established office equipment stores, but rarely will you get a bargain like vintage underwood typewriter from antiques and second-hand dealers who invariably think old means valuable, for most items, and often they are wrong. This is one of those collectibles you really need to study and learn what makes one older item worthless and a more modern type like underwood elliott universal quite valuable. Web sites and books listed later provide much useful information. Choose one or both of those books mentioned later, they're packed with pictures, and keep them close by on buying days.