Before laptops and voice-to-text, literary legends birthed masterpieces on clunky, ink-stained typewriters. Today, these machines aren’t just antiques—they’re holy grails for collectors, with some selling for over $200,000.
From Hemingway’s war-correspondent Royal to Ian Fleming’s spy-worthy Gold Plated Olympia, these typewriters aren’t just tools—they’re time capsules of creativity, each with a story worth its weight in gold.
Here are the most expensive typewriters ever sold, why they’re so valuable, and where you might find one.
1. Ernest Hemingway’s Royal Quiet Deluxe – $200,000+
The Typewriter That Wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls”
Hemingway used this 1940s Royal Quiet Deluxe as a war correspondent in WWII and later to draft classics like “The Old Man and the Sea.” In 2007, it sold at auction for $200,000, making it the most expensive typewriter ever.
Key Features:
- Manual carriage return & well-worn keys (Hemingway was a heavy typist)
- Original case with travel stickers from Cuba and Spain
- Provenance letters confirming its authenticity
Why It’s Worth $200K:
This machine touched literary history—its dents and scratches are part of Hemingway’s legacy.
Where to Find Similar: Heritage Auctions (Rare memorabilia sales)
2. Ian Fleming’s Gold-Plated Olympia SM3 – $108,000
James Bond’s Real-Life Typewriter
Ian Fleming wrote every 007 novel on this 1950s Olympia SM3, later customized with 24k gold plating by a Bond fan. In 2015, it sold for $108,000 at Christie’s.
Key Features:
- Gold-plated keys & body (a tribute to Bond’s extravagance)
- Custom “007” insignia engraved on the back
- Original case with Fleming’s notes
Why It’s Worth $108K:
It’s the ultimate spy artifact—imagine typing “shaken, not stirred” on the same keys as Fleming.
Where to Find Similar: Christie’s Rare Books
3. Mark Twain’s Remington No. 7 – $85,000
The First Typewritten Manuscript in History
Mark Twain was the first author to submit a typed book (“Life on the Mississippi”) using this 1874 Remington No. 7. In 2013, a collector paid $85,000 for it.
Key Features:
- Ornate floral detailing (standard for Victorian-era typewriters)
- “QWERTY” keyboard layout (which Twain helped popularize)
- Handwritten corrections by Twain on typed pages
Why It’s Worth $85K:
This machine revolutionized publishing—without it, modern books might still be handwritten.
Where to Find Similar: Typewriter Museum
4. J.R.R. Tolkien’s Underwood Standard – $65,000
The Machine That Forged Middle-earth
Tolkien drafted “The Hobbit” and early “Lord of the Rings” chapters on this 1930s Underwood. It sold in 2019 for $65,000 with original ink ribbons still inside.
Key Features:
- Heavy steel construction (built to last decades)
- Elvish-language notes stuck between keys
- Repaired by Tolkien himself (he was a tinkerer)
Why It’s Worth $65K:
Every “Frodo” and “Gandalf” first appeared on this typewriter.
Where to Find Similar: Sotheby’s Literary Auctions
5. Agatha Christie’s Corona No. 3 – $50,000
The Mystery Writer’s Secret Weapon
Christie wrote over 30 novels on this 1920s Corona No. 3, including “Murder on the Orient Express.” In 2020, it fetched $50,000 at auction.
Key Features:
- Portable “foldable” design (she traveled with it constantly)
- Stains from tea spills (Christie was a notorious multitasker)
- Handwritten plot twists taped to the side
Why It’s Worth $50K:
This typewriter outsmarted millions of readers—its keys typed the world’s best plot twists.
Where to Find Similar: Bonhams Collectibles
Final Thoughts: More Than Just Machines
These typewriters didn’t just type words—they shaped culture. For collectors, owning one is like holding Hemingway’s pen or Shakespeare’s quill.
Would you pay $200K for a typewriter? Let us know in the comments!
(Prices reflect verified auction records. Provenance is key!)
