1905 Smith Premier 2 #97998
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brian Decker (bkdecker66)
Created: 12-06-2025 at 01:51PM
Last Edit: 12-06-2025 at 02:43PM
Description:
This is my 1905 Smith Premier Model 2, S/N 97998. It is one of the only three office typewriters in my collection that came with its metal case. I won this in an eBay auction on February 5, 2007; my credit card records indicate that it cost me $148.50 all-in, including shipping. Given shipping was running $20-25 for big office typewriters at that time, although I no longer have a record, I believe the winning bid price was around $125. The machine has not been serviced, but the ribbon that was in there when I purchased it still leaves a faint imprint. I have replaced the feet with a set provided by Type Space in Portland, OR. Other than that, it needs new platen and feed roller rubber, and a general deep cleaning, lubrication, and adjustment, and believe it can be brought into fully operational condition.
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
Photos:
Hunter: Brian Decker (bkdecker66)
Brian Decker's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 432
My interest in typewriters started in 1997, when I was in graduate school at the University of Georgia. I purchased and read Darryl Rehr's book, joined ETC, and started reaching out to known collectors. I had several email interchanges with Richard Polt dating from that period. I also bought some of my first machines from Bob Aubert, and visited him at his home twice. After marriage and relocation to New England, I continued visiting antique shops and eBay, until other priorities put my typewriter hobby on hiatus around 2008. I still have my collection of around 57 machines, and now I have a renewed interest in getting some of them in good working and cosmetic order.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Smith Premier 2 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Smith Premier Serial Number page and the Smith Premier 2 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.






























