Smith-Corona · 1930s–1950s
Typical used$120–$200
The Sterling was Smith-Corona's lower-middle portable for decades, sitting above the entry-level Clipper and below the Silent models. The common ones today are the late-1940s and 1950s machines (4A and 5A series serials), with a rounded, prewar-looking body that is much of the draw. It has the same basic basket-shift mechanism as the more expensive models, with fewer conveniences, so it types as well as a Silent for less money. Do not confuse it with the Super Sterling, a different 1960s–70s machine on the Galaxie-style body, which our market snapshot counts separately. In late 2026 nine Sterlings were on eBay at roughly $120–200 delivered.
Buying guide
From Oct 1, 2026 listings
Nine Sterlings are listed, most at $120–200 delivered; 13 more are the Super Sterling, a different 1960s–70s machine, and aren't counted. The Sterling's prewar-style body is the draw, and the late-1940s 4A and 5A series are the common ones. Prices here track the case and a working claim more than the year. Plan on a platen re-cover for regular typing. One 'Sterling Silent' listing mixes two model names, so ask for the model plate. The $129 working 5A suits most buyers; the 1930s black one is the collector's choice.
A 1952 Sterling with its case at about $88 delivered ($50 plus $38 shipping), Buy It Now, from a 99.7% seller. The seller says it needs service, so budget for a clean and adjust, and ask what isn't working before you buy.
Vintage 1952 Smith Corona Sterling Typewriter with Case - Needs Servic
A 5A-series Sterling with its case, listed as working great, about $129 delivered ($98 plus $31 shipping), Buy It Now, from a 100% seller. That's only about $41 more than the needs-service cheapest, at the low end of the band. Ask for a typed sample.
Smith Corona Sterling 5A Portable Typewriter w/Case Works Great!
Working per a 100% seller, cased, and fairly priced at about $129 delivered — the safest Sterling here for someone who just wants to type. It isn't serviced, so ask whether the platen is hard and whether the ribbon still inks.
Smith Corona Sterling 5A Portable Typewriter w/Case Works Great!
A 1930s L.C. Smith & Corona Sterling in black, the earliest one listed, about $191 delivered with Best Offer from a 100% seller. Prewar machines carry the collector interest, and this sits inside the normal band. Ask for close photos of the key tops and paint.
Antique, Vintage 1930s L.C. Smith & Corona Sterling Black Typewriter w
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 1, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ — eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
Snapshot
7 of 9 listed
Snapshot captured — listings may have ended
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 1, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ — eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
UsedVintage 1952 Smith Corona Sterling Typewriter with Case - Needs Servic
$49.95 + $38.00 shipping
Buy It Now$49.95
Good buy
Lowest total at about $88, but it needs service per the seller. Case included.
Seller: ibesellingstuff
99.7% positive from 14.8K ratings
UsedSmith Corona Sterling 5A Portable Typewriter w/Case Works Great!
$97.75 + $30.82 shipping
Buy It Now$97.75
Good buy
5A series. Works great, per the seller.
Seller: stuk41
100% positive from 683 ratings
UsedAntique, Vintage 1930s L.C. Smith & Corona Sterling Black Typewriter w
$175.00 + $16.33 shipping
Buy It Now$175.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
1930s L.C. Smith & Corona-era Sterling in black, about $191 delivered.
Seller: globalcartel
100% positive from 8.8K ratings
UsedSmith-Corona Sterling Silent Olive Green Portable Typewriter In Carry
$75.00 + $43.94 shipping
Buy It Now$75.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Listed as a 'Sterling Silent' in olive green. Ask for the model plate to see which it is.
Seller: mcl892
100% positive from 180 ratings
UsedVintage 50s Smith-Corona Sterling Portable Typewriter Green Keys
$69.99 + $62.61 shipping
Buy It Now$69.99
Our take
1950s, green keys. About $63 of the $133 is shipping.
Seller: strikerbargains
100% positive from 131 ratings
UsedVtg 1948 SMITH-CORONA STERLING 4A Series Typewriter w/ Case
$99.99 + $33.80 shipping
Buy It Now$99.99
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
1948 4A series with the case, about $134 delivered.
Seller: leskamal
100% positive from 3.1K ratings
UsedVtg 1949 SMITH-CORONA Sterling 5A-Series Drab Brown/Green Deco Typewri
$149.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$149.99
Our take
1949 5A series in drab brown and green, $150 with free shipping.
Seller: georgeb2482
100% positive from 8.3K ratings
Prices and availability change daily. The full, current search on eBay shows every matching listing, including new ones since Oct 1, 2026.
See all current listings on eBay →Manual typewriters here are 50–80 years old; the same condition badge means different things at that age than on a 2-year-old electronic. Use this as a translation key when you read listings.
New / new-old-stock
Vanishingly rare on a manual typewriter — most surviving units are 50+ years old. A "new" listing here usually means a late-production unit (e.g. a 1990s Olivetti Lettera 32 still sealed in factory packaging) or a seller misusing the badge. Verify the listing photos show the original packaging and factory ribbon spool; treat the price premium with skepticism unless those check out.
Refurbished / serviced
The body has been through a CLA (clean / lubricate / adjust) by a typewriter specialist — segment re-lubed, platen tested or re-covered, draw band re-tensioned, type slugs cleaned, key linkages freed. Expect a $100–250 premium over an unserviced "used" equivalent; the listing should name the shop (Gramercy, Cambridge, WordsAreWinged, etc.) or include a service receipt. Highest-confidence buy for a writer who wants to type the day it arrives.
Used — tested / working
The realistic ceiling for most listings. Body types, carriage returns, escapement advances, shift works, ribbon advances. Cosmetic wear is normal. Look for "tested with fresh ribbon" (best), "tested — types all letters" (fine), plus a stated return window — anything short of that drifts toward "for parts." Platen rubber often still hardened on a "used — tested" body; budget $150–250 for a re-cover if you plan to type long-form on it.
For parts / not working
Sold as-is with no functional guarantee. Common project-typewriter failure modes: hardened platen, gummed segment (sticky keys), broken draw band, missing case, broken bell, dirty type slugs. Buy only to harvest components for another body, donate to a tech for spares, or accept the gamble of a $100–300 specialist CLA on top. The cheapest path to a typing body is almost always a "used — tested" listing, not "for parts" plus a service bill.
The ribbon, brush, platen fluid, and oil a body off eBay almost never ships with. The ribbon link is matched to Group 1 universal — the wrong spool is the easiest way to lose a typewriter purchase on the consumable.
Ribbon — Group 1 universal (most postwar portables)
Search on AmazonType slug cleaner brush
Search on AmazonPlaten rejuvenation fluid
Search on AmazonLight machine oil (segment + rails)
Search on AmazonReplacement rubber feet
Search on AmazonPlan on a platen re-cover for regular typing. Fewer features means fewer things to break, but check the margin stops, carriage release and the ribbon vibrator. Gummed typebars and a dirty escapement are typical of a stored machine. Ask for the model plate on any listing that mixes names such as Sterling Silent.
The Sterling name was reused on later, unrelated Smith-Corona bodies. Production years are approximate spans compiled from collector references (the Typewriter Database, oz.Typewriter, Ted Munk's and Richard Polt's typewriter pages). Individual machines are dated by serial number: look the serial up on the Typewriter Database's serial-number page for this brand rather than trusting a seller's stated year.