197x Smith Corona Coronet Electric 10 #6ESC112566

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Suzanne LaPierre (BookMouser)
Created: 06-09-2025 at 04:30PM
Last Edit: 06-26-2025 at 01:20PM

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Description:

I swore off electrics when I couldn't get an electric Olivetti Lettera 36 to work and wound up donating it. Plus, they are heavy. But this was the right price - free, basically. It came with a lot of 7 machines, 5 of them typewriters, that I picked up even though I only wanted the 2 manual typewriters. The seller was cleaning out a house and anything left behind would be trash, so I figured I may as well take all and rehome most. I was planning to give this one away, especially once I realized it didn't power up when plugged in. Someone might still want it for parts or repairs, I figured. I offered it in my local typewriter collector group for free, but no one bit. Then a teenager in my neighborhood was looking for machines to fix for community service credit. I gave him this typewriter, and he found that the cord was damaged inside the shell and replaced the cord. Presto!

Now that it is up and running, I decided to clean it up and put a fresh ribbon in. Boy, is this thing easy to use, if a bit noisy! Plus, it produces a nice bold text that is easy to read. It has metal ribbon spools, which makes it feel more like a typewriter than the later electrics that had cartridges. Plus, it is easy on the fingers compared to manuals! I think it will be staying in my collection.

Tip- the serial number is underneath the machine.

History note: The previous owner of this machine was Renate Herz Berzon of Baltimore. Her type sample with her name and address was inside the case and matches the address where I picked up the machines. I named this one Marsha after one of Renate's daughters. Author Raymond Carver used a 70s Smith Corona electric, as seen here: https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/carver2.jpg.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

side view

front view

I believe these are the original ribbon spools.

Eaton Allen ribbons and spools for the Smith Corona Electric portables.

Eaton Allen ribbon on metal spool.

Hunter: Suzanne LaPierre (BookMouser)

Suzanne LaPierre's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 253

I am a librarian, artist, writer, and co-author of the book Desegregation in Northern Virginia Libraries (The History Press, 2023). If I'm working on a book or article for publication, I'm on a computer. However, I use my typewriters to create poems, type-doodles, art, and to write snail mail letters. I find the tactile nature of typing on a manual machine soothing and joyful. Each typewriter seems to have a soul and a story. Currently my collection is centered around midcentury models.