1905 Smith Premier 2 #97998
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brian Decker (bkdecker66)
Created: 12-06-2025 at 01:51PM
Last Edit: 12-06-2025 at 02:43PM
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Description:
This is my 1905 Smith Premier Model 2, S/N 97998. It is one of the only three office typewriters in my collection that came with its metal case. I won this in an eBay auction on February 5, 2007; my credit card records indicate that it cost me $148.50 all-in, including shipping. Given shipping was running $20-25 for big office typewriters at that time, although I no longer have a record, I believe the winning bid price was around $125. The machine has not been serviced, but the ribbon that was in there when I purchased it still leaves a faint imprint. I have replaced the feet with a set provided by Type Space in Portland, OR. Other than that, it needs new platen and feed roller rubber, and a general deep cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment, and believe it can be brought into fully operational condition.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: Brian Decker (bkdecker66)
Brian Decker's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2296
My interest in typewriters started in 1997, when I was in graduate school at the University of Georgia. I purchased and read Darryl Rehr's book, joined ETC, and started reaching out to known collectors. I had several email interchanges with Richard Polt dating from that period. I also bought some of my first machines from Bob Aubert, and visited him at his home twice. After marriage and relocation to New England, I continued visiting antique shops and eBay, until other priorities put my typewriter hobby on hiatus around 2008.
In late 2024, I started up again, working on my machines and having some of them serviced professionally by New England Typewriter (NET) LLC (Merrimack, NH), until they closed their doors in December of 2025. Since mid-2025, I have been adding to my collection again, first with a Hermes 3000 purchase from NET, then with various auctions and purchases on eBay, when I find something that catches my eye.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Premier 2 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Premier Serial Number page and the Smith Premier 2 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
