Shangras,
Out of curiousity I weighed my 1927 Underwood No.3 and it came out right at 31 lbs on a pretty accurate antique scale.  I think there are some Standards that weight more and do wonder what the heaviest Standard is but probably not counting those with huge 30" carriages, etc.

It was NICKEL plateing used on typewriters prior to c.1930 and continuing somewhat after that with some makers.  Chrome plating (which is not the same as nickle; they are two different metals) was introduced commercially in 1926 on a few products.

I had sent a message to the seller of that ugly and painted all over Underwood No.3 but can't find a copy of their reply.  From reading what they say I firmly believe that they believe they have a gem of a rare and original typewriter there.  We, of course, know otherwise.

There is another machine on ebay now, an old L.C.Smith advertised as in "mint condition" which is even worse than my decent but far from mint No.8.  I just don't understand why so many people don't know that "mint" means brand new appearing with NO flaws, marks, etc.  That tyepwriter has been listed numerous times also with no sale.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GREATLY-REDUCED-MINT-CONDITION-L-C-SMITH-BROS-TYPEWRITER-1911-23-WORKS-WELL-/130901142975?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e7a50edbf

As for other makes than Underwood offering longer carriages as standard I think there are a number of them; Royal, L.C.Smith, in fact probably most major typewriter makers had models with longer carriages.  Some may have been made in much lower quantities than the popular Underwoods.

In general, typewriters on ebay are not much different than other collectibles.  Many are way overpriced and I see a trend to list at a high starting or Buy It Now and sometimes with a "Make Offer".  There are less listings starting at $9.99 or so where the market can bid the item up to a reasonable and fair value.  And, of course, so many misinformed sellers (which I can't always blame them) with inflated descriptions.   Ain't it all fun!!

http://www.huuto.net/kohteet/matkakirjoituskone-vintage-olivetti---lettera-22/282353161
http://www.huuto.net/kohteet/matkakirjoituskone-olivetti/293101688

Not just one but two Lettera 22's, from different sellers. Well they're not asking for thousands like some people but still, 140-150 eur for a Lettera 22 is stunningly hopeful. I probably paid less than 10 eur for mine.

I don't say this isn't somewhat interesting find, but it's still ridiculously priced:
http://goo.gl/CJIrfV
An Erika with apparently a nazi SS-symbol. 500 eur. Certainly the first one to have a such button that I've seen, and it's admittably otherwise good looking machine too. That's still ten times more than the realistic asking price for a such machine (without an ss-button).

I wonder where all those sellers get their ideas, who enables them? Anything priced at 100 or more never seems to leave the sites here. Silly people. At least ridiculous prices should keep key choppers away too.

Last edited by tatte (21-12-2013 02:17:10)

Oh. It's good to know that something like that might actually be worth something. Another detail to start keeping an eye for.

I'm sure those keywords are drawing extra attention from the NSA. And a file has been started. "Why would this person want to promote the creation of NSA-proof documents?" they're asking themselves. "What are they hiding?"

I've seen all kinds of crazy hyperbole being used by overimaginative sellers, mostly those who are asking an equally crazy amount for the machine they have for sale. Probably the most abused descriptor in ads is the word 'rare'. Many who use it clearly don't understand what the word means, and fail to see the irony of using it when there are three other machines identical to theirs listed at the same time.