Era

1930s typewriters

The 1930s is when the modern portable took shape. Paillard launched the Hermes 2000 in 1932 and the flat Hermes Baby in 1935; Smith-Corona sold its Silent and Sterling; Remington, which had bought the Noiseless Typewriter Company in 1924, made Noiseless Portables from 1931; and Royal introduced the Quiet De Luxe in 1939. Streamlined styling, glass-topped keys and glossy black paint mark many machines of the decade. Platens from this era are hardened on nearly every survivor, so expect a re-cover before serious use. Prices vary widely: a Remington Noiseless Portable asked about $150–250 delivered on eBay in late 2026, while a Hermes Baby is more like $320–460.