Typewriter Talk / Value of a Burroughs manual electric

**Posted by typeset** 03-9-2016 16:34:52

The machine is manual, the carriage electric. An acquaintance thinks it's worth $250 but I suspect that's way off mark. What would be a fair price? Also, how desirable are these machines?

**Posted by TypewriterKing** 03-9-2016 20:10:57

I'm not sure of what the "Blue Book" value on such a machine is, but I can tell you that this is an extremely rare bird. I saw one badly corroded with its motor missing, and the shop owner wanted $75 for it. Burroughs is a rare typewriter anyway. I fixed one--the totally manual one made in 1931. They started with the "electric" version in 1932. Don't know how long they made either one. Long story short: See a burroughs--Get it if you can afford it. It may not make "The Antiques Road Show," but you'll definitely have an interesting conversation piece--and playtoy.

**Posted by typeset** 03-9-2016 21:22:20

Thanks, Typewriter King. I offered him $100 as a starting point. He's been trying to sell it for a long time and I've bought three of his machines, so maybe he'll budge. Thanks for the advice!