Era

1940s typewriters

From 1942 American typewriter makers largely stopped civilian production and turned their factories to war work, so early-1940s portables are scarcer than late-1940s ones. Civilian production restarted after 1945: the Royal Quiet De Luxe returned and was restyled in the late 1940s, Smith-Corona resumed its Silent and Sterling, Underwood continued the Universal and Champion, and Remington briefly revived the Noiseless Model Seven. These machines are mostly metal, simple and durable, and they pre-date the plastics that crept in later. Plan on a platen re-cover. They are among the cheapest working vintage portables: in late 2026 Royal Quiet De Luxes asked about $100–180 delivered on eBay and Underwood Champions about $130–200.