I grew up in the 1950s and graduated from toy typewriters to my parents' 5-Series Silent at about age 8. (It was a pretty big investment in our household and "not a toy.") I got my adult library card about the same time -- part of my education toward adulthood. Today I prefer my Skyriter since it's lighter and easier to move around and I don't require tabs or bichrome ribbons, but the keyboard has the same feel as the machine I learned on so long ago.
excellent summary of this series! you've convinced me to try one out.....Found a Tower President, apparently it's a rebranded silent super.....we'll see!!!
I recently started researching typewriters and your channel has been so helpful in my learning + narrowing down what might be the one (for now) for me -- thank you!
Enjoyed this one. The advert you show for 1962 priced the Silent Super for $129. That's the equivalent of spending 1280 bucks in 2023. Is that a lot of money for an office machine at that time? I mean it would have been a big deal to buy a typewriter budgetwise? I suppose they are pretty complicated machines to construct. I recently picked up a very good SS for 35 dollars in a consignment shop which is equal to $3.50 in 1962 dollars.
I love the 5 Series as well, and have a number of them, a couple of Clippers, a Sterling, a few Silents and a few Silent Supers. Great machines, easy to work on and super reliable. And great to type on .
Thanks for the description! they seem like great machines. Found a re-branded Smith Corona (Eaton's Deluxe) I am considering and thanks to your video I believe its a sterling :) Really appreciate your passion for typewriters!
I have a Sterling that belonged to my wife's grandfather. He had a property and building appraisal firm. He typed the reports for the banks to evaluate the value of the collateral properties for the loans they sold. This typewriter alone put his two sons and daughter -my beloved mother in law- through medical school and pre-school teaching. Other than the yellowing of the keys and some paint being scraped from the top cover, the machine is fully functional. It is a pleasure to use. I had it cleaned albeit I have noticed it is skipping some letters. Thanks for your presentation on the Smith Corona's! I believe that they were made in England! I'd love to see that Gothic typeface on your Sterling SCM typewriter!
I have the three versions of the 5A and 5AX models from 1963 and '64, the Classic and Sterling, and they are just as wonderful (to me) as the earlier versions. Underneath the skin, the mechanisms are just the same.
I just acquired a Sears Tower Electric Profession 12, which I am told is a rebranded SC 5TE. Also told that it's "Arguably one of the Best Electric portable typewriters ever made..." in a forum. It is very nice and I like that it is electro-mechanical . It functions well, but could use a cleaning. My main concern is that, after re-spooling it, the impression is not as dark as I think it should be. It's touted as portable, but boy is it heavy! I'd rather go out the door with my Skyriter! Great video - thanks for posting.
I’ve never used a Smith Corona but I do enjoy using my turquoise Olivetti Studio 45 😃 I also own a Brother 300, a Brother 700T and an Olivetti Lettera 22 😁
I cleaned the body of my '56 Silent Super using a soft old toothbrush and baking soda (& water) paste. The paint looks more 'powder blue' now, but it's extremely dull looking. I have a spray can of clearcoat finish I've been tempted to use on it, but you made a good point about glare from shine.
Hi Sarah! Another great video. I think that Smith Corona called the lines on top of the machines, Speedlines. I figure you type so fast, yours are racing stripes! ❤️ The first typewriter I ever bought was a 1949 5 series Clipper with Vertical Script at an estate sale. At the time I didn't know that cursive typewriters existed. Then I was hooked. I also really enjoy the 5 series Smith Coronas. They are such great typers.
One of the typewriters I was looking to get is a silent super, though the tab select is in the back. I love the feel of typing on it! The other one is a Royal Quiet de Luxe with Elite typface. Not sure exactly what to get, but the fact that the Smith-Coronas are easy to repare and clean makes me lean towards that one.
I just picked up a 1950 Silent and it is amazing. I am still struggling with my Corsair Deluxe. If I ever get the escapement working, I’ll never get the cover back on.
In my opinion, the underwood universal is a decent entry machine. I got mine when I was still figuring out what I was doing (still have no idea) and it was a rather easy repair
Smith Corona's especially the 5 series are probably the most common typewriter here in Canada as well. They built a factory in Toronto back in the 1900's. What I find hard to find are the Royal portables like the Futura's etc. whereas vintage Royal office typewriters are fairly common.
i love the look of the Smith-Corona typewriters, every iteration looks classic and has personality, in Australia we don't get too many but the equivalent would be the FACIT or Imperial typewriters for how common they are
I have had many of these and sold them all except for my silent named Muddy waters. Really enjoyed this video, I enjoy the variety of these machines. Thanks for the video. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi, I very much enjoy your videos. Questions, I recently bought a 1956 Silent Super. It's great. However, the bell doesn't ring. Is it supposed to? Does it even have a bell? Also, where is a good place to purchase ribbons for it? One final thing, where's a good resource to find a dustcover? A little about me, I was a file clerk/typist in the 1970s. I typed invoices on an IBM selectra. I think it was. Very recently, I became interested again in typewriters. Took your advice & purchased the foam green 1956 silent super. I love it! Keep up the good work sharing your knowledge.
Hello! Yes there is a bell and it should ring 5 spaces before the margin ends. If it isn't, you may need to loosen up the bell arm a bit. One the 5 series, the back panel comes off with four screws. Behind that back panel is where the bell is. You could also turn the machine upside down and check from the bottom if anything is striking the bell when you hit the margin. You might just need to clean it! For ribbons, I have a ribbon 101 video here- ua-cam.com/video/up412FjTEkw/v-deo.html In the description section of that video is a list of resources for ribbons. A universal replacement will mostly likely fit your silent super! For dust covers, if it came with a case, that would work. If not, there are some who sell dust covers on ebay and etsy specifically for typewriters!
Loved this vid! 1. You’re adorbs! 2. I completely agree with your take on the Smith-Corona 5 series! They’re like a classic car that only needs the occasional tune up. 3. I love my 1958 Smith-Corona Sterling and Skyriter! 4. I’m going to post a meme to your insta about the hammering! Lol!
I had a electric Smith Corona typewriter that I used to use but not sure what happened to it I had just bought a Smith Corona 1946 manual typewriter sterling 4A floating shift I’m more of the 1920-1940s typewriter generation including Royal and others that are in the 1920-1940s era the 50s and above is not as interesting but they are very good I’ve been noticing that more of the later models or newer models that are more recent after the 1950 models are going as plastic and seem like cheap imitation junk models that will not be as good as the older models that have been around a longer time periods that have been test of time but that is what I have seen in my experience That is why collectors tend to go to older models that are still very good for the most popular ones like the 1920-40s models or earlier models but I still enjoy them more than the computers
Always love your video. Now to check and see what Smith Coronas I have in my collection 😊. Makes me want more. Also they feature 2 Smith Coronas in the new movie The Christmas Story on HBO max set in the 70’s
Hi Sarah! Just discovered your channel as I am about to buy my first typewriter. Great video on the 5 Series! It really helps to understand all differences between each model. Do you know about Silent-Super models made in Belgium? I found one (Desert Sand colour, no lines on top, AZERTY keyboard, says « Made in Belgium » at the back) at a reseller and wondered if the quality was as good as the ones made in the US….
I have a 1953 Smith Corona Sterling & 1955 Super. Not a Silent Super, just says Super. I love the Smith Coronas. I also own a Smith Corona Sterling which is a 1964 I believe. All are beautiful, clean and type great. Really got into your videos. By the way, you look great with your hair up.
The SC 5 series are hard to find here in Oz, but I have managed to get three of them. One I actually imported from the US, at great shipping expense. They are wonderful machines, I totally agree with you. One was found locally in a very sorry state, with paint very chipped and rust showing, so I stripped/repainted it two tone green. Now "Peppermint" is one of my all time favourites. I don't name all my machines like you do, so that is something a bit special. I also have a 6 series, and it is pretty good too - it has a green platen and a "jeweled escapement". Woohoo. Made in Canada that one, has a maple leaf shaped sticker on top saying so. As for alternative lines of great machines, I think the Olympia SM3/4's are also pretty awesome, and if you are a European I'd look into them as a reasonable alternative. They just need the rubber body mounts replaced if they are original, which is easy to do, and then they are ready to rock.
I'd love to buy a Smith Corona silent, but here in spain they are very rare, and I can't import one from outside becouse we need the letter "Ñ", so it must be and old spanish typewritter from someone that bought a Smith Corona at their time.
I have a blue Sterling from 1964 where they started to get more “futuristic” if you will. I love it so much, it’s super fast because I type super fast and it is my favorite in my collection. I do need help though: I took it somewhere with me and for some reason ever since it has been typing crooked. Letter’s are floating or sinking from the typing line. I tried to fix it, but I think that I made it worse. How do I fix this?
@@JustMyTypewriter The line retainer is on but I think it's an issue with the type plate beneath the ribbon vibrator. It is missing a screw on the bottom left screw hole (got it that way but never had any problems until now).
Hi there, I'm looking to buy a typewriter. There is one on my local FB market place that is titled: Smith Corona Classic Typwritter. Do you know anything about the classic series? It says classic on the front right of it and has 3 diamond looking shapes on the front left of it. Looking to buy my first typewriter so not sure if this is a good one or not with a nice typing experience. Any advice would help. Thanks.
@@itschasemac sounds like it may be from the 70s line of classic 12s and 10s. I’ve personally used them and think they are ok. They’re a little heavier than the five series as they are larger, but that does mean they’re better weighted down for heavier use. I would recommend testing it in person before purchase to make sure it works! Test all the keys, roll the platen to make sure it’s not cracked. It should also come with a case - make sure that it’s included as it can be hard to replace
it's considered the ultra portable before that line- and they have their own series numbers. I don't mind them, they're just a little too light for me personally!
Thanks for this, Sarah, interesting video. The Smith Coronas of any series are all but impossible to source here in the U.K. or, if you can find them, they are in poor condition and way overpriced. I can import from USA, but shipping fees and taxes, make this prohibitive. I have a 1962 Empire Corona made in the U.K. after Smith Corona took over British Typewriters Ltd. Nice, portable, robust typer, but limited functionality in return for low cost. Not anything like as good as your SCs. And, hey … crinkle, crackle, cringle … crangle … what? 🧔
Smith-Coronas are clearly the best of that era. Royal was the best before them. Olympia surpassed them in the 1960s. Many other wonderful brands along the way.
I love that the anti glare paint is the equivalent of screen covers that we use today. The look of these models is very sleek and timeless
I grew up in the 1950s and graduated from toy typewriters to my parents' 5-Series Silent at about age 8. (It was a pretty big investment in our household and "not a toy.") I got my adult library card about the same time -- part of my education toward adulthood.
Today I prefer my Skyriter since it's lighter and easier to move around and I don't require tabs or bichrome ribbons, but the keyboard has the same feel as the machine I learned on so long ago.
excellent summary of this series! you've convinced me to try one out.....Found a Tower President, apparently it's a rebranded silent super.....we'll see!!!
I recently started researching typewriters and your channel has been so helpful in my learning + narrowing down what might be the one (for now) for me -- thank you!
Enjoyed this one. The advert you show for 1962 priced the Silent Super for $129. That's the equivalent of spending 1280 bucks in 2023. Is that a lot of money for an office machine at that time? I mean it would have been a big deal to buy a typewriter budgetwise? I suppose they are pretty complicated machines to construct. I recently picked up a very good SS for 35 dollars in a consignment shop which is equal to $3.50 in 1962 dollars.
I love the 5 Series as well, and have a number of them, a couple of Clippers, a Sterling, a few Silents and a few Silent Supers. Great machines, easy to work on and super reliable. And great to type on .
The cutie red one You have it's sooooooo beautiful!!
Thanks for the description! they seem like great machines. Found a re-branded Smith Corona (Eaton's Deluxe) I am considering and thanks to your video I believe its a sterling :) Really appreciate your passion for typewriters!
I have a Sterling that belonged to my wife's grandfather. He had a property and building appraisal firm. He typed the reports for the banks to evaluate the value of the collateral properties for the loans they sold. This typewriter alone put his two sons and daughter -my beloved mother in law- through medical school and pre-school teaching. Other than the yellowing of the keys and some paint being scraped from the top cover, the machine is fully functional. It is a pleasure to use. I had it cleaned albeit I have noticed it is skipping some letters. Thanks for your presentation on the Smith Corona's! I believe that they were made in England! I'd love to see that Gothic typeface on your Sterling SCM typewriter!
I have the three versions of the 5A and 5AX models from 1963 and '64, the Classic and Sterling, and they are just as wonderful (to me) as the earlier versions. Underneath the skin, the mechanisms are just the same.
I just acquired a Sears Tower Electric Profession 12, which I am told is a rebranded SC 5TE. Also told that it's "Arguably one of the Best Electric portable typewriters ever made..." in a forum. It is very nice and I like that it is electro-mechanical . It functions well, but could use a cleaning. My main concern is that, after re-spooling it, the impression is not as dark as I think it should be. It's touted as portable, but boy is it heavy! I'd rather go out the door with my Skyriter! Great video - thanks for posting.
I’ve never used a Smith Corona but I do enjoy using my turquoise Olivetti Studio 45 😃 I also own a Brother 300, a Brother 700T and an Olivetti Lettera 22 😁
I cleaned the body of my '56 Silent Super using a soft old toothbrush and baking soda (& water) paste. The paint looks more 'powder blue' now, but it's extremely dull looking. I have a spray can of clearcoat finish I've been tempted to use on it, but you made a good point about glare from shine.
Hi Sarah! Another great video.
I think that Smith Corona called the lines on top of the machines, Speedlines. I figure you type so fast, yours are racing stripes! ❤️
The first typewriter I ever bought was a 1949 5 series Clipper with Vertical Script at an estate sale. At the time I didn't know that cursive typewriters existed. Then I was hooked.
I also really enjoy the 5 series Smith Coronas. They are such great typers.
Fun! I love that series too!
One of the typewriters I was looking to get is a silent super, though the tab select is in the back. I love the feel of typing on it! The other one is a Royal Quiet de Luxe with Elite typface. Not sure exactly what to get, but the fact that the Smith-Coronas are easy to repare and clean makes me lean towards that one.
I just picked up a 1950 Silent and it is amazing. I am still struggling with my Corsair Deluxe. If I ever get the escapement working, I’ll never get the cover back on.
In my opinion, the underwood universal is a decent entry machine. I got mine when I was still figuring out what I was doing (still have no idea) and it was a rather easy repair
Smith Corona's especially the 5 series are probably the most common typewriter here in Canada as well. They built a factory in Toronto back in the 1900's. What I find hard to find are the Royal portables like the Futura's etc. whereas vintage Royal office typewriters are fairly common.
That's so interesting- I find the portable royals pretty frequently in the states!
Thanks you for the history!
Loved that intro!
Smith corona seems like such a cool typewriter manufacturer, I can't wait to get one of them
Good luck with that if you live outside of the U.S. 🤵♂️
@@LANCSKID that's my exact problem
@@winfried3208 Mine too. My U.K. Empire Corona was something of a compromise. As I am now up to 27 typewriters, it may be time to ease off! 👨🦳
Great review of a great typewriter series!
Found a 4 series sterling today but it has a 4AR serial number, so it’s a mix of 4 and 5 series .
i love the look of the Smith-Corona typewriters, every iteration looks classic and has personality, in Australia we don't get too many but the equivalent would be the FACIT or Imperial typewriters for how common they are
I have had many of these and sold them all except for my silent named Muddy waters. Really enjoyed this video, I enjoy the variety of these machines. Thanks for the video. Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi, I very much enjoy your videos. Questions, I recently bought a 1956 Silent Super. It's great. However, the bell doesn't ring. Is it supposed to? Does it even have a bell? Also, where is a good place to purchase ribbons for it? One final thing, where's a good resource to find a dustcover? A little about me, I was a file clerk/typist in the 1970s. I typed invoices on an IBM selectra. I think it was. Very recently, I became interested again in typewriters. Took your advice & purchased the foam green 1956 silent super. I love it! Keep up the good work sharing your knowledge.
Hello! Yes there is a bell and it should ring 5 spaces before the margin ends. If it isn't, you may need to loosen up the bell arm a bit. One the 5 series, the back panel comes off with four screws. Behind that back panel is where the bell is. You could also turn the machine upside down and check from the bottom if anything is striking the bell when you hit the margin. You might just need to clean it! For ribbons, I have a ribbon 101 video here- ua-cam.com/video/up412FjTEkw/v-deo.html
In the description section of that video is a list of resources for ribbons. A universal replacement will mostly likely fit your silent super! For dust covers, if it came with a case, that would work. If not, there are some who sell dust covers on ebay and etsy specifically for typewriters!
Yes, I have the case for it, but I'm used to using a dust cover. So I'm going that route. Now I'm going to order my ribbons. Thank you for your help.
🙏
Loved this vid!
1. You’re adorbs!
2. I completely agree with your take on the Smith-Corona 5 series! They’re like a classic car that only needs the occasional tune up.
3. I love my 1958 Smith-Corona Sterling and Skyriter!
4. I’m going to post a meme to your insta about the hammering! Lol!
I appreciate them so much I have two (2) SC 5TEs!
I had a electric Smith Corona typewriter that I used to use but not sure what happened to it
I had just bought a Smith Corona 1946 manual typewriter sterling 4A floating shift I’m more of the 1920-1940s typewriter generation including Royal and others that are in the 1920-1940s era the 50s and above is not as interesting but they are very good I’ve been noticing that more of the later models or newer models that are more recent after the 1950 models are going as plastic and seem like cheap imitation junk models that will not be as good as the older models that have been around a longer time periods that have been test of time but that is what I have seen in my experience
That is why collectors tend to go to older models that are still very good for the most popular ones like the 1920-40s models or earlier models but I still enjoy them more than the computers
Always love your video. Now to check and see what Smith Coronas I have in my collection 😊. Makes me want more. Also they feature 2 Smith Coronas in the new movie The Christmas Story on HBO max set in the 70’s
Hi Sarah! Just discovered your channel as I am about to buy my first typewriter. Great video on the 5 Series! It really helps to understand all differences between each model. Do you know about Silent-Super models made in Belgium? I found one (Desert Sand colour, no lines on top, AZERTY keyboard, says « Made in Belgium » at the back) at a reseller and wondered if the quality was as good as the ones made in the US….
I believe they should be similar
I have a 1953 Smith Corona Sterling & 1955 Super. Not a Silent Super, just says Super. I love the Smith Coronas. I also own a Smith Corona Sterling which is a 1964 I believe. All are beautiful, clean and type great. Really got into your videos. By the way, you look great with your hair up.
I had a mid-‘50s Super, too. It appeared to be identical to the Silent-Super. Only difference? Made in Canada.
I found an old Royal quiet deluxe it's awesome
congrats!
The SC 5 series are hard to find here in Oz, but I have managed to get three of them. One I actually imported from the US, at great shipping expense. They are wonderful machines, I totally agree with you. One was found locally in a very sorry state, with paint very chipped and rust showing, so I stripped/repainted it two tone green. Now "Peppermint" is one of my all time favourites. I don't name all my machines like you do, so that is something a bit special. I also have a 6 series, and it is pretty good too - it has a green platen and a "jeweled escapement". Woohoo. Made in Canada that one, has a maple leaf shaped sticker on top saying so.
As for alternative lines of great machines, I think the Olympia SM3/4's are also pretty awesome, and if you are a European I'd look into them as a reasonable alternative. They just need the rubber body mounts replaced if they are original, which is easy to do, and then they are ready to rock.
I totally know what you mean about the Olympia SM 3s. That is my current fav in my collection.
🙏
I'd love to buy a Smith Corona silent, but here in spain they are very rare, and I can't import one from outside becouse we need the letter "Ñ", so it must be and old spanish typewritter from someone that bought a Smith Corona at their time.
I have a blue Sterling from 1964 where they started to get more “futuristic” if you will. I love it so much, it’s super fast because I type super fast and it is my favorite in my collection.
I do need help though:
I took it somewhere with me and for some reason ever since it has been typing crooked. Letter’s are floating or sinking from the typing line. I tried to fix it, but I think that I made it worse. How do I fix this?
Do you have the line retainer on? That keeps everything typing in lines, if that's off they could float freely.
@@JustMyTypewriter The line retainer is on but I think it's an issue with the type plate beneath the ribbon vibrator. It is missing a screw on the bottom left screw hole (got it that way but never had any problems until now).
@@Looney3987 That could do it!
Hi there, I'm looking to buy a typewriter. There is one on my local FB market place that is titled: Smith Corona Classic Typwritter. Do you know anything about the classic series?
It says classic on the front right of it and has 3 diamond looking shapes on the front left of it.
Looking to buy my first typewriter so not sure if this is a good one or not with a nice typing experience. Any advice would help. Thanks.
@@itschasemac sounds like it may be from the 70s line of classic 12s and 10s. I’ve personally used them and think they are ok. They’re a little heavier than the five series as they are larger, but that does mean they’re better weighted down for heavier use. I would recommend testing it in person before purchase to make sure it works! Test all the keys, roll the platen to make sure it’s not cracked. It should also come with a case - make sure that it’s included as it can be hard to replace
Have you ever had or still have a Royal P281?
I have not
Would not the Sky Rider also be of the same group? It seems awful similar anyhow what do you think?
it's considered the ultra portable before that line- and they have their own series numbers. I don't mind them, they're just a little too light for me personally!
they at 200-300 dollars i really want one but don't have that kind of money
How do I stop Smith Corona from selling my data?
solution: buy five more
hilisilly
Thanks for this, Sarah, interesting video. The Smith Coronas of any series are all but impossible to source here in the U.K. or, if you can find them, they are in poor condition and way overpriced. I can import from USA, but shipping fees and taxes, make this prohibitive. I have a 1962 Empire Corona made in the U.K. after Smith Corona took over British Typewriters Ltd. Nice, portable, robust typer, but limited functionality in return for low cost. Not anything like as good as your SCs.
And, hey … crinkle, crackle, cringle … crangle … what? 🧔
Smith-Coronas are clearly the best of that era. Royal was the best before them. Olympia surpassed them in the 1960s.
Many other wonderful brands along the way.