Circa 1021 Royal Desktop No. 10 Typewriter

Circa 1021 Royal Desktop No. 10 Typewriter

from $1,697.00

Order your Royal 10 typewriter today. While you won’t get the same machine shown in the photos, you will get a comparable fully restored and warrantied vintage typewriter in the condition selected.

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The Royal 10 typewriter, manufactured by the Royal Typewriter Company in Hartford, Connecticut, holds a significant place in typewriter history.

The Royal 10 was introduced in 1914 as the company’s first “upright” model, departing from Royal’s earlier flatbed designs. Production of the Royal 10 continued until around 1940, with only minor cosmetic changes across its lifespan.

Early Royal 10 models were notable for their two beveled glass windows on each side, allowing users to see the internal mechanisms. In 1923, this was changed to a single glass pane per side. The machine was relatively large and robust, weighing between 30 and 40lbs, and was popular for its durability and reliability in offices.

The Royal 10, along with contemporaries like the Underwood 5, became a trusted workhorse for journalists, offices, and writers—playing a role in chronicling major events such as World War I and the 1918–1920 influenza pandemic.

The Royal 10 exemplified innovations such as a frictionless ball-bearing track and easy visibility while typing. Though other cosmetic features changed over the years, the core mechanics remained largely consistent. It was succeeded by newer Royal models in the 1930s, but the Royal 10 is still recognized as an iconic and collectible typewriter today.

Famous users include writers like Ian Fleming and Ernest Hemingway (who used quite a few different typewriters). The Royal 10 has appeared in media, such as the 1940 film His Girl Friday and Stephen King’s novel Misery.

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