Royal.
Iconic Design. Mechanical Precision.

These aren’t just typewriters—they’re conversation pieces that actually work. Meticulously maintained machines that belong on your desk, not in a museum.

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What We Make

Every Royal typewriter is built to do one thing well: put your words on paper with clarity and permanence. Whether you’re writing your first draft or your final copy, these machines are designed to work reliably, feel substantial under your hands, and last long enough to become part of your creative routine.

What Royal Delivers

Royal typewriters represent over a century of American manufacturing expertise, delivering mechanical precision and reliability that modern electronics can’t match.

Built to Last Decades

Royal typewriters are engineered with all-metal construction and precision mechanics that keep working long after cheaper machines fail. Many models from the 1950s still type perfectly today.

No Learning Curve

The keyboard layout and typing feel are immediately familiar to anyone who’s used a computer keyboard. You can sit down and start writing without consulting a manual or adjusting to strange key positions.

Works Anywhere, Always

No batteries, no software updates, no Wi-Fi required. Royal typewriters function in power outages, remote locations, and anywhere you need to put words on paper without depending on technology.

Brands Simmilar to Botany 500

If you value authentic vintage tailoring and mid-century American craftsmanship, explore other classic menswear brands from the same era that share Botany 500’s commitment to traditional construction, timeless styling, and quality fabrics that have stood the test of time.

Maplefield typewriters represent a practical chapter in office equipment history, built for reliability over flash. These machines appealed to small businesses, writers, and home offices needing dependable tools at accessible prices. Collectors today appreciate their honest engineering and the glimpse they provide into mid-century work culture, when a typewriter symbolized productivity and independence.

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The Oliver Typewriter Company stood out with its distinctive “downstrike” design, where typebars struck the platen from above rather than below. This visible typing mechanism allowed operators to see their work as they typed, a significant advantage in an era of blind typing. Oliver machines became popular among businesses and professionals who valued this transparency and the company’s reputation for durability.

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Smith Corona became one of the most recognizable names in typewriter manufacturing, producing machines that balanced quality with affordability. From portable models that traveled with journalists and students to office workhorses, the brand adapted across decades of technological change. Smith Corona typewriters earned their place in homes, newsrooms, and businesses through dependable performance and accessible pricing that made typing technology available to a broad audience.

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Olympia typewriters earned a reputation for precision engineering and build quality that set standards in the industry. German-crafted machines combined robust construction with smooth typing action, making them favorites among professional writers and demanding office environments. The brand’s attention to mechanical detail and durability created typewriters that often outlasted their contemporaries, cementing Olympia’s status among serious typists who valued performance and longevity.

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Botany 500: Complete Brand History Timeline

1904 – Brooklyn, New York

E.B. Hess and Lewis C. Myers launch the Royal Typewriter Company in a small Brooklyn workshop. Their first model, the Royal Standard, sells for $100—about three months’ wages for the average worker. It’s built like a small tank because they don’t know how to make it any other way.

1906 – The Tabulator Breakthrough

Royal introduces the first typewriter with a visible tabulator mechanism. Accountants and bookkeepers finally stop doing mental math to line up columns. Sales triple within a year.

1914 – WWI Changes Everything

The U.S. military orders thousands of Royal portables for field correspondence. Typewriters start showing up in trenches, desert camps, and naval vessels. Soldiers realize these things can survive conditions that would kill most machines. Royal’s reputation for durability becomes legendary—not through marketing, but through mud, sand, and seawater.

1926 – The Portable Revolution

Royal releases a portable model that actually lives up to the name—under 10 pounds with a carrying case. Writers start traveling with their tools. Hemingway famously beats the hell out of his Royal Quiet Deluxe across three continents, and it never stops working.

1944 – Peak Production

At the height of WWII, Royal’s Hartford factory is producing a finished typewriter every 12 seconds. Over 600,000 machines roll out that year alone, many heading straight to war offices, newsrooms, and military command centers.

1950s – The Golden Age

Post-war boom puts a Royal typewriter in seemingly every American office and newsroom. The distinctive sound of Royal keys becomes the soundtrack of mid-century journalism, academia, and business. Reporter desks at the New York Times? Almost entirely Royal. Congressional typing pools? Same story.

1960s – Television Comes Calling

Royal typewriters become props on every TV show featuring a writer, detective, or journalist. Not because of product placement—shows just grab whatever’s actually in the prop warehouse, and that’s usually a Royal because that’s what real offices use.

1970s – The IBM Challenge

IBM’s Selectric takes over corporate America with its golf-ball typing element. Royal sticks with traditional mechanics, doubling down on durability over innovation. Sales decline, but the company survives by focusing on markets where reliability matters more than features—developing countries, field work, remote locations.

1980s – The Computer Era

Personal computers start replacing typewriters everywhere. Royal pivots to electronic models with correction features and memory. They sell, but everyone knows it’s a rear-guard action. The writing is literally on the wall—or rather, on the glowing green screens.

1990s-2000s – The Quiet Years

Royal changes hands multiple times. Production moves overseas. The brand becomes just another name in the office supply catalog. Most people assume Royal went the way of the dodo.

2010s – The Unexpected Renaissance

Writers start seeking out vintage Royals on eBay and at estate sales. Repair shops see increased business. New literary magazines launch with Royal typewriter logos. It’s not nostalgia—people are rediscovering that a 60-year-old machine can still outperform cloud-based word processors for pure, distraction-free writing.

2020-Present – Still Standing

Royal restarts limited production of mechanical typewriters, using original tooling and manufacturing techniques. New models sit alongside refurbished vintage machines. The company that survived two world wars, the Great Depression, and the personal computer revolution is still here, still making machines designed to outlast whatever comes next.

Frequently Asked Questions

A quick guide to common questions about ordering, care, and support.

How long does shipping take?

Most orders ship within 1–2 business days and arrive within 5–7 business days for domestic deliveries. International shipping times vary by destination and typically range from 10–21 business days. Tracking information is sent via email once the order has been dispatched.

What is the return policy?

Items can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund, provided they remain in original condition with all packaging and accessories included. The return process begins by contacting customer service, who will provide a return authorization and shipping instructions. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer unless the item arrives damaged or defective.

How should these items be cleaned and maintained?

Regular dusting with a soft, dry cloth keeps surfaces clean and free from debris. For deeper cleaning, a slightly damp cloth may be used on metal and painted surfaces, followed by immediate drying. Moving parts benefit from occasional lubrication with a small amount of machine oil. Items should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures to prevent deterioration.

Is there a warranty included?

All items come with a standard 1-year warranty covering manufacturing defects and mechanical failures under normal use. The warranty does not cover damage from misuse, accidents, or normal wear and tear. To file a warranty claim, customers should contact support with proof of purchase and a description of the issue.

How can customer service be reached?

Support is available via email and phone during business hours, Monday through Friday. Response times for email inquiries are typically within 24 hours. Phone support offers immediate assistance for urgent matters. Contact details can be found on the website’s contact page.

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Voices from the Royal Community

Whether you’re a novelist returning to analog writing, a collector restoring vintage machines, or someone discovering the tactile joy of typewriting for the first time, Royal users share a common appreciation for precision engineering and timeless craftsmanship.

Margaret T.

I bought the Royal Epoch for my newsletter work, and the ribbon change system is brilliantly simple. After thirty years of writing on laptops, there’s something clarifying about hearing each keystroke land on paper.

David K.

The Classic manual I ordered arrived perfectly adjusted right out of the box. I use it for first drafts of short stories—forces me to commit to each sentence instead of endlessly revising digitally.

Elena R.

My Royal Quiet De Luxe travels with me to every coffee shop. It’s compact enough for my messenger bag, and the keys have this satisfying weight that makes writing feel intentional again.

Where to shop Royal typewriters in 2026?

Find Royal typewriters on trusted marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and specialized vintage retailers — many sellers offer professionally refurbished models with warranty coverage and detailed condition reports to ensure you get a machine ready to write.