Era
1950s typewriters
The 1950s is the peak of the postwar portable. Olivetti's Lettera 22 arrived in 1950 and the Studio 44 in 1952; Olympia built the SM3 (1953) and SM4 (1958) in Wilhelmshaven; Hermes launched the 3000 in 1958; and Smith-Corona's Groton-built 5-series, with the Silent-Super at the top, came in colours like Alpine Blue and Seafoam Green. Office standards such as the Olympia SG1 and Royal HH were at their best too. Machines from this decade are mechanically excellent and still widely serviced. Prices span a lot: a Smith-Corona Silent asked about $110–210 delivered on eBay in late 2026, an Olympia SM3 about $270–525 and a Hermes 3000 more.
Every 1950s model we track (14)
Hermes 3000
Hermès (Paillard) · 1958–late 1970s
PortableUniversal spool$350–$900
used typical
8 eBay listings reviewed
Imperial Good Companion 5
Imperial · c. 1957–1960
PortableUniversal spool$120–$220
used typical
2 eBay listings reviewed
Olivetti Lettera 22
Olivetti · 1950–mid 1960s
Ultra-portableOlivetti spool$180–$350
used typical
4 eBay listings reviewed
Olivetti Studio 44
Olivetti · 1952–late 1960s
Semi-portableUniversal spool$150–$280
used typical
7 eBay listings reviewed
Olympia SG-1
Olympia · 1953–early 1960s
StandardUniversal spool$250–$550
used typical
4 eBay listings reviewed
Olympia SM3
Olympia · 1953–c. 1960
PortableUniversal spool$250–$500
used typical
7 eBay listings reviewed
Olympia SM4
Olympia · 1958–early 1960s
PortableUniversal spool$270–$500
used typical
6 eBay listings reviewed
Remington Quiet-Riter
Remington · 1950s–1960s
PortableUniversal spool$80–$180
used typical
8 eBay listings reviewed
Remington Travel-Riter
Remington · mid 1950s–1960s
Ultra-portableUniversal spool$80–$160
used typical
7 eBay listings reviewed
Royal HH
Royal · c. 1952–late 1950s
StandardRoyal spool$120–$250
used typical
3 eBay listings reviewed
Smith-Corona Silent
Smith-Corona · 1930s–late 1950s
PortableUniversal spool$100–$220
used typical
8 eBay listings reviewed
Smith-Corona Silent-Super
Smith-Corona · c. 1950–1959
PortableUniversal spool$160–$350
used typical
5 eBay listings reviewed
Smith-Corona Skyriter
Smith-Corona · 1949–early 1960s
Ultra-portableSpecific spool$110–$230
used typical
4 eBay listings reviewed
Torpedo 18
Torpedo · c. 1950s–1964
PortableUniversal spool$300–$600
used typical
6 eBay listings reviewed
Latest 1950s deals
Remington Travel-RiterBuyRemington Vintage Travel-Riter Portable Typewriter w/ Case - For Parts
$28 + $89 ship
For parts
Remington Quiet-RiterBuyVTG Remington Rand Quiet-Riter Miracle Tab Typewriter Green Keys READ!
$35 + $26 ship
Used
Remington Travel-RiterBuyVintage 1956 Remington Travel-Riter Portable Typewriter w/ Case - AS-I
$35 + $38 ship
Used
Buy
Remington Quiet-RiterBuyRemington Rand Quiet-Riter Miracle Tab Typewriter in Green Case Portab
$54 + $20 ship
Used
Buy
Remington Quiet-RiterBuyRemington Typewriter Quiet-Riter Miracle Tab Original Case. Works
$70 + $32 ship
Used
Buy