Typewriters of the 1930s
Typewriters of the 1930s ranged from substantial office machines to compact portable models designed to travel in fitted cases. Folding machines such as the Corona 3 remained popular, while makers including Smith-Corona, Royal, Remington, Underwood, Erika and others developed practical four-row portables.
Manufacturers competed through improvements in portability, typing action and convenience. Features included quieter mechanisms, touch controls and smoother shift systems. These details make 1930s typewriters especially interesting to writers, collectors and anyone curious about the development of everyday writing technology.
From the My Cup of Retro Archive
My Cup of Retro previously restored and sold vintage typewriters to customers around the world. This digital museum now preserves the photographs and descriptions gathered from the 1930s machines that passed through the former shop.
The archive includes familiar names such as Remington and Corona alongside less common machines from Torpedo, Adler and other manufacturers. More individual typewriter records will be added here as the original archive is restored.
Explore the 1930s Collection
Torpedo Model 17 Typewriter, 1934
A glossy black German portable with cream-colored keys, Dutch keyboard legends and an original retailer’s badge from The Hague.
This machine was cleaned, serviced and photographed while it was part of the former My Cup of Retro shop.
Masspro Typewriter, 1932
An unusual green American portable with a compact three-row keyboard and double-shift system.
Designed by George F. Rose and manufactured for only a short period by Mass Production Corporation, this surviving example carries serial number 002105.
Adler Favorit Typewriter, 1936
A glossy black German typewriter with Adler’s distinctive thrust-action mechanism, which moves the type elements forward toward the platen.
This early Favorit Model 1 was fully serviced and fitted with a new platen while it was part of the former My Cup of Retro shop.
Royal Portable Typewriter, 1936
A glossy black American portable with round keys, a QWERTY keyboard and its original carrying case.
This Royal Portable serial number A 483270, was cleaned, serviced and fitted with a new ribbon while it was part of the former My Cup of Retro shop.
