1957 Smith Corona Silent Super #5T 483650X
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brian Decker (bkdecker66)
Created: 12-31-2025 at 11:59AM
Last Edit: 01-01-2026 at 12:14PM
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Description:
Around August of 2002, I was given a 5-series Smith-Corona Sterling (S/N 5A 634584) by a work colleague. This machine is still in my collection, but I have not posted it on TWDB yet as of 12/31/25. My first writing sample from this Sterling is dated 8/24/02. In that sample, I talk about how I would like to collect each of the 5-series machines, and I list the Sterling, Clipper, Silent, and Silent Super in particular. This never happened, but it did start me searching for 5-series Smith-Corona portables on eBay. The result was my winning the subject machine, this 1957 Silent Super in Alpine Blue, S/N 5T 483650X.
My first typing sample with this Silent Super is dated 8/9/2003, in which I state that I was beginning to use this typewriter "many months" after acquiring it. This makes me believe that I acquired it in late 2002 or early 2003. The cost with shipping is lost, but from vague recollection, I believe I paid in the $50-70 range with shipping. This machine types in Pica (I keep forgetting to type that in the typing sample). It has the earmarks of having been well-used in its life; in cycling circles, there's a term, "beausage", which I think is applicable here, though I'm not aware of its ever having been applied to typewriters. It basically refers to a quality-made item that has wear and patina through heavy use, which perhaps contrary to expectations, renders it more appealing.
This machine has a prominent dealer badge from the Arcade Typewriter Co., Riverside, CA, on the ribbon spool cover. A quick Google search shows that the Arcade Typewriter Co. was run by a Gisela Fieber (born in Hannover, Germany, 6/30/1927; died 2/10/2009) and her husband, Fritz. I enjoy being able to connect these machines to their past history to the extent that is possible; dealer badges can help in this. In this instance, the badge bears witness that this machine was sold and/or serviced by Arcade Typewriter Co., and it's very likely that it passed through the hands of Gisela Fieber and/or her husband Fritz a long time ago!
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: Brian Decker (bkdecker66)
Brian Decker's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2072
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 Corona Silent Super on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Corona Serial Number page and the Smith Corona Silent Super By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
