The Royal Deluxe was the top of the line portable typewriter model of the era, featuring a color ribbon selector, tabulator, backspace, and margin release. Introduced in 1937, the Deluxe model added a tabulator, two nickel-plated bands and crinkle paint to distinguish it from Royal's standard portable models, showcasing Royal's sophisticated Art Deco styling with its distinctive crinkle finish and polished chrome bands that ran along the front and sides of the machine.

Notice the nickel bands running along the front and sides of the machine, and the stamped Royal logo above the words "DE LUXE". This premium finish set it apart from the company's more basic portable models and gave it an elegant, professional appearance that appealed to discerning typists. Because it cannot ‘wear off’ like painted decals.

The Royal Deluxe was manufactured at Royal's Hartford, Connecticut facility, which had made Hartford the "Typewriter Capital of the World" along with cross-town competitor Underwood. The 1937 Deluxe represented Royal's premium portable offering, bridging the gap between their standard Model O and the later famous Quiet Deluxe series. The DeLuxe is very similar to the Portable Standard in style and function. It has the addition of a tabulator, a paper guide, and of course its signature 'crinkle' finish and chromed bands. The Deluxe would eventually merge with the short-lived Quiet model to become the Quiet Deluxe in 1938, creating one of Royal's most successful and long-running models.

These are lovely small profile machines in my experience, smaller than other desktops; with the heft required to hold them steady. 3d feet are available and we often replace the hard, brittle feet.

The Royal Deluxe and its successor, the Quiet Deluxe, became legendary among writers and established Royal's reputation in literary circles. Many writers used Royal typewriters, including John Steinbeck, and the later Quiet Deluxe was used by Ernest Hemingway and Ian Fleming (who famously wrote the James Bond novels on a gold-plated version). Royal's introduction of its portable line of typewriters was an immediate success and launched the company to become the world's #1 selling typewriter brand.

The 1937 Deluxe represented the pinnacle of this success, offering professional features in a portable package that appealed to both business users and creative writers. It stands as a testament to American industrial design and manufacturing excellence, representing the golden age of portable typewriters when quality, functionality, and style were paramount considerations in office equipment design.

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This machine has snappy action.

The decals are all immaculate, the paint is nearly perfect: a lush black crinkle. The chrome is lightly used.

The case is excellent, and handle and latches have been tested. I love the attention to detail on these older machines.

Royals are treasured by writers everywhere for good reason: they’re robust, stylish, timeless, and rarely will do you wrong

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Comes packed safely in eco-friendly materials, a 275 load tested double-walled box, with a fresh ribbon, case, digital manual; adjusted and oiled for your writing pleasure.

Features:

• Single, 1.5, and double line spacing.

• Tab

• Floating shift: Basket / segment shift

• US QWERTY keyboard

• 10 or 12 character per inch serif font (Pica or Elite).

• Black wear resistant crinkle paint

• Paper supports

• Ribbon auto reversal and a manual reversal switch

• 2-tone ribbon selector

Includes:

• Fresh 2-tone ribbon installed onto original spools.

• Lifetime Tradein Policy

• 1-3 year warranty depending on condition.

• Working Guarantee

• Digital copy of the manual (and original)

• Original hard shell case in excellent condition.

• Original Underwood brush.

Get this understated beauty of a lifetime.

Frequently asked questions.