1954 Smith Corona Sterling #5A-495900
Status: Sightings
Hunter: BenJoe Markland (BenJoeM)
Created: 11-12-2026 at 11:04PM
Last Edit: 11-12-2026 at 11:04PM
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Description:
1954 Smith-Corona Sterling, 5 series, slate gray crinkle paint with green keys and its carry case. Pica, 10 CPI. The sample tag in the photos says Elite, which is my typo. Serial 5A-495900 sits between two 1954 machines logged here (5A469420 and 5A507462).
It came in with mechanical damage and was brought back to full service, which meant straightening and replacing parts. The Q key was repaired before the sale, after the sample tag was typed.
Work done on the bench:
- Mechanical damage repaired: parts straightened and replaced
- Exterior cleaned: body, keys, and panels
- Type slugs cleaned
- Segment and typebars flushed and freed
- Light lubrication at mechanical points
- New black and red ribbon
- Alignment and typing action adjusted
- Full page test-typed
Sold in December 2025. Restored by Slow Letter Co., Syracuse, Utah.
Listing and history: https://slowletterco.com/typewriters/smith-corona-sterling-1954/
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: BenJoe Markland (BenJoeM)
BenJoe Markland's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 223
What I love about typewriters is you have to own your mistakes. You either X them out or start over, but you have to own it, learn from it, and move forward. No one or no thing will autocorrect it for you.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Corona Sterling on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Sterling By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
