Underwood · 1930s–1950s
Typical used$150–$310
Universal was Underwood's name for its main four-bank portable from the 1930s into the 1950s, so the name covers several quite different-looking generations: 1930s black machines, the 1938 redesign by Dobson that introduced the Universal/Champion body, 1940s Touch Tuning machines, and 1950s Quiet Tab and Golden Touch models, some in white. They were built in Hartford, Connecticut. The mechanism is simple and good for DIY cleaning, so an untested one is not a big risk. Even the name is confusing, since Universal is the model name and has nothing to do with ribbon spools. In late 2026 about 34 were on eBay, five for parts or repair, with the rest mostly $150–310 delivered.
Buying guide
From Oct 1, 2026 listings
34 Universals are listed, most at $150–310 delivered, and five are sold for parts or repair. The name covers several generations: 1930s black Typemaster and four-bank machines, 1940s Touch Tuning, and 1950s Quiet Tab and Golden Touch models, some in white. The mechanism is simple and good for DIY cleaning, so an untested one isn't a big risk. Working, cased machines start near $130. Skip the $450 Spanish-layout machine unless you need that layout; the Navy all-caps 'mill' is for radio collectors. Check the case strap, which often fails.
Listed as working, about $105 delivered ($80 plus $25 shipping), Buy It Now, from a 100% seller — the lowest price on a complete Universal and below the $150–310 band. 'READ' in the title usually flags a caveat, so read the description and ask for a typed sample.
Antique Underwood Universal Typewriter - Works- READ
With its case and listed as working, about $130 delivered ($115 plus $15 shipping), Buy It Now, from a 99.2% seller — below the $150–310 band. Ask which generation it is and for a typed sample.
vintage underwood universal portable typewriter w/case works
A 1930s Universal Typemaster in working condition per a 99.9% seller, about $158 delivered ($119 plus $40 shipping) with Best Offer. The simple mechanism is easy to keep running; ask whether a case comes with it, since the title doesn't say.
Underwood Universal Portable Typemaster Typewriter 1930's Working Cond
A white Quiet Tab Universal with its case, about $176 delivered ($144 plus $32 shipping), Buy It Now, from a 99.8% seller. White Underwoods are the uncommon ones, and this sits near the low end of the band. Ask for paint photos and whether it types.
Underwood Universal Quiet Tab WHITE Portable Typewriter w/ Case - RARE
Sold for parts or repair, as-is, about $47 delivered ($25 plus $22 shipping) from a 99.5% seller — about a third of a working one. The Universal's simple mechanism makes it a good first restoration; ask what's missing or seized.
Underwood Universal Portable Typewriter. For Parts Or Repair. As Is. N
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 1, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ — eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
Snapshot
8 of 34 listed
Snapshot captured — listings may have ended
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 1, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ — eBay shows your exact total before you buy.
UsedAntique Underwood Universal Typewriter - Works- READ
$79.99 + $25.27 shipping
Buy It Now$79.99
Good buy
Works per the seller, but 'READ' in the title usually flags a caveat; read the description.
Seller: rosetr-80
100% positive
Usedvintage underwood universal portable typewriter w/case works
$115.00 + $14.50 shipping
Buy It Now$115.00
Good buy
Works, per the seller. Case included.
Seller: ibeeearly
99.2% positive
UsedUnderwood Universal Portable Typemaster Typewriter 1930's Working Cond
$118.50 + $39.90 shipping
Buy It Now$118.50
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Typemaster in working condition per the seller; no case mentioned.
Seller: lindibluef-0
99.9% positive
UsedUnderwood Universal Quiet Tab WHITE Portable Typewriter w/ Case - RARE
$143.99 + $31.96 shipping
Buy It Now$143.99
Good buy
White Quiet Tab, with the case.
Seller: jastermereel
99.8% positive
For partsUnderwood Universal Portable Typewriter. For Parts Or Repair. As Is. N
$24.60 + $21.90 shipping
Buy It Now$24.60
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Project piece
For parts or repair, as-is.
Seller: crpomo_0
99.5% positive from 1.4K ratings
Used1937 Underwood Universal 4-Bank Portable Typewriter- Black F Model-Ori
$120.00 + $38.19 shipping
Buy It Now$120.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
1937 four-bank Universal, Model F, about $158 delivered.
Seller: jenni-jacob
100% positive
UsedUnderwood Universal U.S. Navy MILL Typewriter, 1941, Read Description
$599.00 + $75.60 shipping
Buy It Now$599.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
A 1941 U.S. Navy 'MILL' machine with all-capitals type for radio operators — a specialist item, not a writer's typewriter.
Seller: spbureau
100% positive
UsedUNDERWOOD UNIVERSAL TYPEWRITER PICA FONT 10 CPI. SPANISH LAYOUT Ñ. 194
$450.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$450.00
This seller takes offers, and sellers often accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Heads-up: priced high
$450 with free shipping for a Spanish-layout Universal — nearly three times the usual price.
Seller: typing1973
100% positive
Prices and availability change daily. The full, current search on eBay shows every matching listing, including new ones since Oct 1, 2026.
See all current listings on eBay →Manual typewriters here are 50–80 years old; the same condition badge means different things at that age than on a 2-year-old electronic. Use this as a translation key when you read listings.
New / new-old-stock
Vanishingly rare on a manual typewriter — most surviving units are 50+ years old. A "new" listing here usually means a late-production unit (e.g. a 1990s Olivetti Lettera 32 still sealed in factory packaging) or a seller misusing the badge. Verify the listing photos show the original packaging and factory ribbon spool; treat the price premium with skepticism unless those check out.
Refurbished / serviced
The body has been through a CLA (clean / lubricate / adjust) by a typewriter specialist — segment re-lubed, platen tested or re-covered, draw band re-tensioned, type slugs cleaned, key linkages freed. Expect a $100–250 premium over an unserviced "used" equivalent; the listing should name the shop (Gramercy, Cambridge, WordsAreWinged, etc.) or include a service receipt. Highest-confidence buy for a writer who wants to type the day it arrives.
Used — tested / working
The realistic ceiling for most listings. Body types, carriage returns, escapement advances, shift works, ribbon advances. Cosmetic wear is normal. Look for "tested with fresh ribbon" (best), "tested — types all letters" (fine), plus a stated return window — anything short of that drifts toward "for parts." Platen rubber often still hardened on a "used — tested" body; budget $150–250 for a re-cover if you plan to type long-form on it.
For parts / not working
Sold as-is with no functional guarantee. Common project-typewriter failure modes: hardened platen, gummed segment (sticky keys), broken draw band, missing case, broken bell, dirty type slugs. Buy only to harvest components for another body, donate to a tech for spares, or accept the gamble of a $100–300 specialist CLA on top. The cheapest path to a typing body is almost always a "used — tested" listing, not "for parts" plus a service bill.
The ribbon, brush, platen fluid, and oil a body off eBay almost never ships with. The ribbon link is matched to Group 1 universal — the wrong spool is the easiest way to lose a typewriter purchase on the consumable.
Ribbon — Group 1 universal (most postwar portables)
Search on AmazonType slug cleaner brush
Search on AmazonPlaten rejuvenation fluid
Search on AmazonLight machine oil (segment + rails)
Search on AmazonReplacement rubber feet
Search on AmazonCheck the case strap and handle, which often fail on long-stored machines. Gray crinkle paint flakes around the carriage. A hard platen and dried feed rollers are normal. Check the shift, carriage return and margin stops; the simple mechanism usually responds well to cleaning with naphtha and a light oiling.
Ask which generation a listing is: the name alone does not tell you. Production years are approximate spans compiled from collector references (the Typewriter Database, oz.Typewriter, Ted Munk's and Richard Polt's typewriter pages). Individual machines are dated by serial number: look the serial up on the Typewriter Database's serial-number page for this brand rather than trusting a seller's stated year.