I'm originally from Iowa, and my entire family is there, so I regularly scout the Craigslist ads across the state, and to be frank, over the past few years I don't think I've ever seen a machine there with an asking price that I thought was reasonable (usually in the $20-$60 range). Perhaps there's just not enough ads to get a sense of the market, and people think that they have something really unique when they don't, or that there are a ton of collectors there when there's not. I don't know. 

Now, by contrast, if you're willing to take a trip up I-35, I've found that Minneapolis is actually a great typewriter market--so much so that I'm rather jealous of it. My brother lives there, and over the past few years, I've alerted him to some real steals on Craigslist that he's picked up (for himself, not for me. Unfortunately). A pristine Royal 10 for $40, a clean folding Corona 3-bank for $20, and most recently perhaps the nicest Oliver I've ever seen online, and they were asking only $50.

So, check out Minneapolis for better deals. Or maybe Kansas City--though I don't check there since I don't know anyone there.  

Fleetwing wrote:

blacklabel wrote:

Hey guys!, im new in the forum and i recently start to collect typewriters, im from argentina and i have 3 typewriters in view to buy but i dont find information about any of one,the first is,i believe, a Smith corona but i dont know which model is it,for the shape it seems very similar to a sterling https://http2.mlstatic.com/antigua-maquina-de-escribir-smith-de-coleccion-xp-S_13433-MLA20078160764_042014-F.jpg
The other one is label as unitype,i only found that is a versión or very similar to the torpedo model 2
https://http2.mlstatic.com/antigua-maquina-de-escribir-alemana-S_924108-MLA25815120275_072017-F.jpg
The last one is a Erika portable, but the painting confuse me and i cant figure it out which model is it, is the model S?
https://http2.mlstatic.com/maquina-escribir-antigua-S_992660-MLA25956778970_092017-F.jpg
I hope you guys can help me!!

I can't help you on the second two, since I don't know the Torpedos and Erikas. As for the Smith-Corona, since it doesn't seem to have a tabulator, I would guess it's a Clipper. Based on the body style, it's late 1940s.

Thankss for the help! Do you know why the logo smith is like that? I keep searching!
 

Just picked up a Corona 3 Folding. It has the bilateral FIG/CAPS keys, so probably from the later 1920's. The machine has no rust.  Keys on the left side are really sluggish/sticking, snappy on the right. Rubber feet have flattened and deformed into ugly little puddles and the platen is rock hard. 

The case is in good shape (not great). The clasp/lock is barely functional, I think some polishing with oil added to the mechanism should help out.

Should clean up beautifully. I usually do my own cleaning/maintenance on the basics... but I've been wanting a folding machine for years. I think I'll take it to Ace Typewriter here in Portland for a truly professional overhaul.

I concur; I am fairly certain it is the Bluebird version of the Torpedo 18b. The logo is hidden behind the platen on the paper table.The Torpedo 18b is an incredible typewriter, in my opinion. They are not that common in the US. If that showed up on my Craigslist for a reasonable price, I am not sure I would be able to get to first; though I would certainly try.

Finally agreed collection tomorrow evening. I think...

It was an Ebay auction btw, which I duly won as the only bidder. Unsurprisingly.