Hanks Typewriter

Gallery

Welcome to the Hanks Typewriter Gallery! Here you can peruse our collection of typewriters and other historical machines.

This gallery is named after Mr. Tom Hanks, actor, producer, and typewriter enthusiast. We cannot thank him enough for his contribution to the typewriter community, his dedication to his art, and his passion for the preservation of these historic machines.

Our collections are currently owned and maintained by Addi McDowell.

Watch the 1 hr. 44 min. documentary California Typewriter free on YouTube!

Serial Number: 77833

Acquisition Details: Canton, GA; November 2023

TAM ID Number: TW006-04-23 1903

Though the years have changed the color and condition, this Oliver No. 3 used to be olive green. The olive-green with white keys indicates that it was first sold in the United States. The No. 3 is relatively common, as the No. 3 was the third-most produced Oliver model through the company’s lifetime. The base is slightly taller and heavier than previously manufactured Oliver models. Unfortunately, due to the poor condition, this typewriter is not functional.

Olivers are most notable because of their unique “down-strike” type. The u-shaped typebars allowed for easier visibility than that of other current models, as the fully visible typewriter would not be sold for decades to come. As you can see, however, this model only has three rows of keys. Unfortunately, four-row keyboards became the standard in the 1910s, which ultimately led to the company’s downfall. Attempts were made to add a fourth row of keys, but the distinct design of the Oliver made the addition of more typebars and keys a nuisance. The company was sold in 1928 to British investors and finally collapsed in 1959.

The Oliver Typewriter Advertisement, Harper’s Magazine Advertiser, June 1903

Serial Number: 4147900-11

Acquisition Details: Ball Ground, GA; September 2023

TAM ID Number: TW004-02-23 1933

This Underwood No. 6 is black with black keys (except for a few green ones. Despite the remarkable external appearance, this machine is not currently functional. We believe that the carriage is broken.

The success of the Sholes and Glidden Type-Writer model inspired the shape and design of the Underwood No. 6. Christopher Latham Sholes, Carlos Glidden, and Samuel W. Soule, patented their typewriter model in 1868, later selling it to E. Remington & Sons. The manufacturing of the machine began in 1873 through Remington’s pseudo-company Sholes and Glidden Type-Writer. The model would later be renamed the “Remington” model. An increase in sales and popularity encouraged competition from other typewriter manufacturers, encouraging the Underwood Typewriter Company to adopt the model in their Underwood No. 5. Millions were sold, and the model continued to inspire further Underwood editions, like the No. 6 you see here.

Underwood Typewriter Advertisement, Sears Catalog, 1939

• 1/3 of a full page
  
• Later model than the one in our collection
  

Serial Number: S1499388C14

Acquisition Details: Milledgeville, GA; November 2023

TAM ID Number: TW007-05-23 1939

This Silent Smith Corona is most notable for its hefty size and tremendous weight, which differs greatly from some of the earlier (and much smaller) L.C. Smith & Corona silent models. This machine is missing the space bar cover. It is not functional in its current state.

L.C. Smith & Bros. merged with Corona Typewriter (previously the Standard Typewriter Company) in 1926. With their combined office and portable typewriter production, they became a raging success. As this typewriter shows, the company survived the Great Depression, and L.C. Smith & Corona continued to make top-quality typewriters.

L. C. Smith Typewriter Advertisement, Sears Catalog, 1939

• 1/3 of a full page
  

Serial Number: 1A1579488-12

Acquisition Details: Asheboro, NC; May 2023

TAM ID Number: TW003-01-23 1940

This Silent Super-Speed was likely an office typewriter, given its size, weight, and condition. This model is a lot more rounded than the previous 1939 No. 8, showing a desire for a sleeker-looking machine and hinting at the curved typewriter style that would come to define model design through the 1970s.

L.C. Smith & Bros. merged with Corona Typewriter (previously the Standard Typewriter Company) in 1926. With their combined office and portable typewriter production, they became a raging success. As this typewriter shows, the company survived the Great Depression, and L.C. Smith & Corona continued to make top-quality typewriters.

Serial Number: KMM-2842098

Acquisition Details: Asheboro, NC; 2017

TAM ID Number: TW001-01-17 1941

Similarly to the 1940 L.C. Smith & Corona Silent Super-Speed, the roundness of this model predicts the roundness of later typewriter models. This typewriter in particular is fascinating due to the electrical wiring that has been threaded through this machine to convert this typewriter into a lamp. Unfortunately, the wiring was chewed through by rats due to improper storage and care before we acquired this machine, but it does still function as a typewriter!

Royal is one of the most well-known typewriter companies, favored by many popular writers including Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, and John Steinbeck. The company was founded by Edward B. Hess, one of the most prominent typewriter inventors of the 20th century. Unfortunately, his innovations in size, weight, and design were halted temporarily during World War II, which explains the resemblance to the hefty models of the 1930s.

Serial Number: RL-4337809

Acquisition Details: Asheboro, NC; December 2023

TAM ID Number: TW009-07-23 1960

As typewriter technology progressed and more uses for the typewriter became apparent, small, portable options became increasingly popular. This is the smallest and lightest typewriter in our collection.

The compacted design seen here originated in Germany, with the Halberg Traveler. Motivated by the Halberg’s success, as well as competition from other typewriter makers, the Royal McBee Corporation began showing interest in bringing the model to the United States. In 1955, they bought out Halberg, renamed the machine “Royalite,” and adjusted the aesthetic design to better fit consumer demand.

Serial Number: 2A4907740

Acquisition Details: Asheboro, NC; June 2021

TAM ID Number: TW002-01-21 1962

This machine is in excellent condition and is completely functional. Though quite heavy, it is a remarkable piece to travel with due to the impressively durable case. I write on this typewriter every day.

The Futura 800 was one of the most popular typewriters of the early 1960s. It was released in 1958 and discontinued in 1962, making this machine one of the final Futura 800s manufactured. It came in a multitude of colors and was incredibly successful due to its light weight.

Serial Number: 0152496

Acquisition Details: Grovetown, GA: May 5th, 2024

TAM ID Number: TW012-03-24

Unfortunately, we know shockingly little about this typewriter model. It appears to be extremely rare, going for anywhere between $100 and $700. The man I purchased this from said that he bought it from a woman in the Netherlands.

The Lettera 52 was made in Spain and was the last Lettera model to be produced by Olivetti. Unlike most of our typewriters, this machine has an ink cartridge ribbon versus a spindle ribbon.

Serial Number: N/A

Acquisition Details: Evans, GA; 2024

TAM ID Number: MAC010-01-24 2024

Though not a historic machine, we do have a LEGO model of a 1950s/1960s era typewriter. The LEGO set was a Christmas gift to Addi McDowell. The keys do work; whenever a key is pressed, the middle “striker” moves upwards and the carriage moves to the left.

It is incredible the mark that typewriters have left in the public eye, going so far as to be a pop culture symbol for those interested in “vintage” items. I include this model in our collection because it demonstrates this impact. In recent years, these “vintage” machines have become exceedingly more popular as display pieces. The existence of this set speaks to the growing audience of typewriter-enthusiasts and firmly cements the typewriter’s place in the cultural essence of today’s time.

Printed “Letter from Thomas Kirk Kristiansen” Booklet, Came with the LEGO kit

Instruction Booklet, Came with the LEGO kit

Serial Number: N/A

Acquisition Details: Ball Ground, GA; September 2023

TAM ID Number: MAC005-03-23

Though this machine is not technically a “typewriter,” it still stands as a fascinating piece of information technology. The Paymaster is a receipt printer and was likely used in a store. The cashier would indicate the full total of a customer’s order by lifting the levers in the front. Once the proper number was placed, the crank on the side would cause the inked type to simultaneously imprint all of the numbers on a piece of paper. This Paymaster’s ink was clearly a bright red.

Serial Number: 93N1268485

Acquisition Details: Millidgeville, GA; November 2023

TAM ID Number: MAC008-06-23

This machine is an electric Adding Machine, likely produced in the 1950s or 1960s. It is incredibly difficult to find information on this machine, which suggests that it might be quite rare. When plugged into an electrical socket, it does still work... that being said, it definitely poses a fire hazard when plugged-in due to the old and damaged wiring and the lack of safety restrictions during the time in which it was made. It is incredibly heavy, bulky, and relatively plain-looking, which suggests that it was used in an office (as in-home models would be more aesthetically pleasing).

Uncle Sam Adopts the Corona Advertisement, Harper’s Magazine Advertiser, September 1914

A Corona Portable Typewriter Advertisement, Harper’s Magazine Advertiser, Julty 1914

The Champion Typewriter Advertisement, Munsey’s Magazine, September 1895

The Champion Typewriter Advertisement, Munsey’s Magazine, May 1895

The American $6 Typewriter Advertisement, Munsey’s Magazine, May 1895

More to come in this space!

Typewriters Advertisement Page, Sears Catalog, 1939

At this time, all of this contact information will lead you to Addi McDowell, the creator of this website and curator of most of the exhibits.