197X Smith Corona Electra 210 #6ES - 165548

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Gavin Oherin (valiantchicken09)
Created: 08-18-2025 at 02:05PM
Last Edit: 08-18-2025 at 02:11PM

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Description:

This was my first typewriter acquisition of 2025. I paid $30 for it from a local antique mall known as Sweeten Creek Antiques. SCA was the only one in Biltmore Village to survive the floods of Tropical Storm Helene, as far as I know.

The ubiquitous Smith-Corona electric portables captivated me ever since I learned such a thing existed. I particularly enjoy the styling of the early 60s Coronets. Their creamy bichrome color schemes & the cursive on their front makes them especially appealing. (Not noting the fantastic styling of the body itself.) This wonderful machine is not the creamy bliss of the coronets, but it is just as good on the inside. I knew I wanted one with automatic carriage return; the full experience, nothing left out: all the features that could be thrown at it. I had a vague idea of different lines of machines for professional and home use, but not which was which.

When I discovered this typer in mid January, I was jittery with excitement. (I get like that any time there is a typewriter for a reasonable price, but you might not bat an eye at an electric portable. To each their own…) I didn’t think the belts would be in any sort of condition for the machine to run, so when I took it up to the counter to test it, I was extremely surprised to hear it effortlessly (though rather noisily) purr to life & type like a champ. I figured the $30 was worth it just for the little worn drive belts. And it is techno elite to boot!

The case of this machine lost its little latch that held the machine to the bottom of its case, but it fits so snugly that it really doesn’t need it. I might line the inside of the case with felt to keep it from scratching the lid in the future. I like that the case has the same name plate as the machine inside it, so that one knows what they are using. As with all of the layer SCM portables, the serial number remains a mystery, so I will put it in the 1970s. The faux woodgrain agrees, I think.

Unfortunately, some of the keys are a little sticky from a drink spill, but it was a fantastic machine when completely working. The N key is particularly slow at popping back up, but I really don’t want to have to take the keyboard panel off again; I put it back on just a month ago, after I finished cleaning.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

The Awesome Techno typeface! I think I like it a little better than the ~11 cpi Senatorial on my Olympia SM9, and much better than Smith-Corona's regular old elite, which feels a bit small, even for 12 cpi.

Blurry photos, but it was the best I could get. I particularly enjoy the ¢ symbol on this typeface.

The innards.

The wonderful sliding cover on 6 series machines!

The serial number on the bottom of the machine.

No cord to get unplugged & lost from this guy! The feet of this machine have always seemed a bit over the top. Nevertheless, they work fine, and the machine won't move about on the desk when typing.

The little quadrilateral arrow is one of my favorite details on this machine.

Not as good as the Super 5s' line ending guide, but close enough (and a lot easier to manufacture).

Wish there was 1/2 line spacing. I know some machines did have it... (Sorry for the poor photo. I promise I will get better!)

I have noticed that Smith-Corona was not particular in the plastic that they used to build the spring-motor housing. I have a friend with a Smith-Corona Super Sterling from '67, and hers has a cream-colored drum. This one is rather galaxie like. ; )

I have never known whether Smith-Corona actually used jewels in the escapement. I'm not tearing mine apart to find out!

I always wondered why SCM built a separate little button for the Power-Space feature. They activate the same mechanism, just this thing pushes it a little more to open rapid-fire mode.

I wonder why the sticker is wonky? Did it come from the factory like that?

Touch knob. I don't think mine works properly, because I feel no difference in the touch when it it spun. It also was confusing for the 1-2-3-4 stamp to be on the other side of the latch-hole.

The carriage release levers on this machine seem to be much more sturdy that the white "swoopy" ones on early galaxie (like) machines. My friend's Super Sterling is missing the right-handed one.

The little gridded clear bit on the right of the front panel lights up with an orange glow when the machine is on. The more basic line of these machines did not have this extra wiring. Another special quirk!

Hunter: Gavin Oherin (valiantchicken09)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 179

I am a typewriter user & collector in Western North Carolina. The typewriter bug bit me with an ancient Underwood Standard #4. Now, the collection just keeps growing. I never imagined having so many typewriters. It mostly consists of American brands, but I am always on the lookout for something better than your average Smith-Corona. (Not that there is anything wrong with them, of course.) I am also interested in quality stationery, trains, tractors, vinyl records, and pretty much anything else that operates mechanically. Happy Hunting!