My Absolute Favorite Vintage Typewriter!

The Search Begins

When I began my search for a vintage typewriter in 2018, I was ignorant of what to expect. I have enough years in my past to have taken Typing Class during high school. My assigned typewriter was a bright red IBM Selectric. Outside of that, I never used a typewriter. I was living in the years of electric typewriters evolving into personal computers.

In college, I had a black Brother Typewriter which boasted a digital screen so I could see what I was typing, make changes, then hit enter as the typewriter typed out my copy. A few years later, I secured my first laptop, but it looked more like a beige suitcase.

Otherwise, everything was handwritten, typed on my Brother typewriter (called a "word processor"), or I secured a time slot in a local computer lab where I could print out letters and projects. With my first marriage, I also purchased my first home computer: a Gateway (anyone remember those?!). The computers arrived in boxes easily mistaken for a corporate-sized order of Chick-fil-A. At least I didn't have to drive to the computer lab as often...though the internet wasn't yet available in homes, so if I wanted to send an email or participate in a chat room, I still had to visit a computer lab.

Back To Typewriters

Now that I've sufficiently dated myself, fast-forward 30 years, and I'd had enough of busy work and the constant pull of electronic devices. I wanted to find my voice by writing. In my school years, I was a C student in English, at best, but I had this insatiable need to write; and not just write, I wanted to write on a typewriter. The draw of uninterrupted thoughts is what turned my thoughts back to typewriters, despite only being familiar with an IBM Selectric and a Brother word processor.

If you've heard our business story, you know this is where it all began. I didn't just get a typewriter for my own use; we instantly found ourselves with a thriving typewriter business. This provided a unique benefit: suddenly, I had access to all different types of machines. I had no idea there were so many different manufacturers and models!

Quickly, I learned that each typewriter has its own personality.

I also realized that the first typewriter I purchased for my use wasn't really to my liking. As such, I wasn't typing very often. But then my husband brought home a brown, basic-looking typewriter. I didn't pay much attention to it. After all, at that time, the competition for finding old typewriters was much less, and we were getting some unique and beautiful machines (and we had NO idea what we had at the time!). Yet, when it came time to test it and put it up for sale, I fell in LOVE. The machine was a 1956 Smith Corona Electric 5TE.

My very first Smith Corona Electric 5TE, 1956

Even after collecting several other typewriters for myself, I kept coming back to the Smith Corona Electric. Since then, I traded out my first model (which I very much regret!) for a cursive 5TE. I love my cursive typewriter, but I quickly realized that sometimes I prefer the typical typeface. So, I did what any other reasonable typewriter enthusiast would do: I purchased a second 5TE. 😁

Both of my 5TE typewriters are the basic brown. However, the Smith Corona Electric comes in two other colors:

Seafoam Green

Alpine Blue

What's So Great About A Smith Corona Electric 5TE (5LE)?

As soon as I put my fingers on this model, I was smitten. Since then, I have yet to find a model I like better. Sure, there are MANY amazing typewriters, and at least 20 of them are in my top 5. 😂 However, the 5TE/5LE have yet to be knocked out of my #1 spot. Why?

First of all, can we just talk about FLOW for a second? Typewriters are awesome. Truly. However, when you are "in the mode" and your words are flowing through your fingers, you want a typewriter that flows with you. Some typewriters can only handle a steady pace or have a hesitant feel.

The 5TE, if it's been well-maintained, has an excellent flow that is barely interrupted by the ding of the bell. It can keep up with my fast fingers, and is the closest feel to a typewriter keyboard that I've come across.

Secondly, as one with 10-year-old petite hands, typewriters can be a struggle, but the 5TE feels like it was made for little hands or those with the softest of touch.

Even though it is electric, the motor (in general—every typewriter is different) is quieter than most. Also, the shape of the keys lends itself to good control and awareness of the placement of your fingers.

In all, the Smith Corona Electric 5TE is ready to work hard, but has an attractive body style that was so popular in the 50s. At the same time, while it can handle the long work of a writer without wearing out the fingers, it is also so easy on the hands that a young child can navigate it well.

These models are a little harder to come across, especially the Seafoam Green and Alpine Blue, but they are worth every penny! You can expect to pay $350+ for 5TE in good working condition (depending on color and condition).

If you're interested in finding a 5TE or 5LE for yourself or someone you love, check out our shop here to see what we have in stock. Also, I highly recommend downloading my Typewriter Buying Guide so you know what to look for when purchasing a typewriter.

But first, read this blog post on understanding the difference between Serviced, Refurbished, and Restored typewriters.

Professionally serviced vintage typewriters since 2018.

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