Underwood 319

$175 (plus shipping if outside of the Detroit area)

Meet “Madeline,” a working Underwood 319 typewriter from 1978 that a Michigan teen got for Christmas and used to write short stories she hoped would be published one day.

Made in Spain, this portable typewriter features a standard serif typeface in Pica, which is a comfortable 10 characters per inch. Please see photos for a type sample. The carriage moves smoothly, all of the keys strike and fall back well and the end-of-line bell still rings clearly. It arrives with a working black ribbon already installed so it’s ready for use right out of the box.

You aren’t imagining things if you noticed this curvy manual typewriter looks like something made by Italian typewriter powerhouse Olivetti during this era – at the time Underwood and Olivetti were over a decade into a merger, and used either brand name on their various typewriter models.

This stylish vintage typewriter, which also features the ability to take a two-color ribbon, has a tan plastic body and white keys, with an olive green bottom and matching case-top.

“Madeline” will look ultracool in your 70s-inspired office or den as it types out gorgeous letters, musings and more for you.

International buyers (outside of the USA), please contact us before purchase to arrange shipping.

For shipment, we take great care in packing each typewriter well, with the carriage stabilized, the type basket packed so the letters don’t move, plenty of bubble wrap cocooning the machine, and a sturdy box that snugly fits all of the packing material cushioning the machine.

After purchase, we will send you a custom video showing some basic instructions for using your machine, as well as the packing process of your typewriter.

Detroit Type Works offers a variety of working manual typewriters made between about 1950 and1980 as well as typewriter ephemera. If there is a specific typewriter or item you’re looking for, please message us as we are always adding more. We are also happy to answer questions about anything we sell or help you choose the right typewriter for your needs.