Office Equipment Value & Price Guide

Vintage office equipment collectibles represent the evolution of modern business, from the mechanical precision of early typewriters to the industrial design of mid-century time clocks. These artifacts offer a tactile connection to the history of commerce and remain highly sought after for both their aesthetic appeal and functional durability.

Price Range: $150 - $205 based on recent sales

History of Office Equipment

The era of mechanical office equipment began in earnest during the late 19th century, led by pioneers like Underwood and Remington who revolutionized document production. As businesses expanded, the need for precision in accounting and time management birthed the adding machine and the industrial time recorder, tools that defined the corporate landscape for decades. By the mid-20th century, brands like IBM and Smith-Corona introduced electric innovations and sleek industrial designs that transitioned the office from heavy cast iron to streamlined steel and plastic. These machines were the backbone of global industry until the digital revolution of the 1980s rendered them obsolete for daily tasks, yet preserved them as icons of engineering.

Value Factors for Office Equipment

The typical price range for Office Equipment is $150 - $205 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Mechanical functionality and the ease of sourcing compatible ink ribbons or paper rolls.
• Rarity of the model and specific production years, such as early 1900s Woodstock or Royal Model 10 units.
• Aesthetic condition, specifically the presence of original decals, pinstriping, and unpitted chrome plating.
• Historical significance or unique design features, such as the 'noiseless' technology or the iconic 'golf ball' element of the IBM Selectric.

Tips for Buying Office Equipment

• Test mechanical components like the carriage return on typewriters and the lever action on adding machines to ensure they aren't seized.
• Inspect for original ribbon spools and unique typeface styles, as proprietary parts can be difficult and expensive to replace.
• Verify the condition of rubber platens and feet, which often harden or crack over time, affecting the machine's usability.
• Look for original carrying cases and instruction manuals, which significantly increase the desirability of portable models like the Smith-Corona or Royal P.

Items in This Collection

• Hermes 3000 Typewriter
• Burroughs Adding Machine
• Underwood Standard Typewriter No. 5
• Smith-Corona Silent-Super Typewriter
• Smith-Corona Portable Typewriter
• Victor Adding Machine
• Royal Model 10 Typewriter
• Remington Standard Typewriter
• Dalton Adding Machine
• Royal FP Typewriter
• Smith-Corona Coronet Super 12 Electric Typewriter
• Hanson Model 1509 Postal Scale
• Cincinnati Time Recorder Value & Price Guide
• Paymaster Check Writer Value & Price Guide
• Underwood No. 5 Standard Typewriter
• Woodstock Typewriter Value & Price Guide
• Remington Noiseless Typewriter
• Royal KMG Typewriter
• Underwood Sundstrand Adding Machine
• Olympia B12 Typewriter