1956 Groma Kolibri #581881

Status: Sightings
Hunter: C Carreon (CCarreon)
Created: 09-27-2026 at 04:30PM
Last Edit: 09-30-2026 at 08:25AM

Description Hunter 9 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

Found during an estate sale in Long Beach, CA (closer to Lakewood). Typewriter was found in a dreadful condition and the ribbon cover was missing. I tried finding it on site but the home in which this typewriter was kept was stuffed full of old dolls, various toys, and heaps of dust. I asked the estate sale staff whether they know where the missing ribbon cover was; unfortunately, he informed me that that was how it was found.

During my time with this $200 hot mess, the typing action was generally smooth despite a layer of rust and the carriage moves smoothly. I didn't know where the serial numbers were located and initially assumed that the serial numbers would be found around the carriage. If I do go back to see if this typewriter is still neglected in it's current home, I'll be updating this sighting accordingly.

Attempts to acquire the typewriter at a reasonable price given the condition resulted at their lowest offer of $75 by the estate sale staff (Grasons). I walked away from that at the time.

Resolved to upload this machine into the typewriter database at the very least as Groma typewriters are very rare here in California (US).

*Update (9/28/2026): I returned to the same estate sale to check out the Groma again to try to locate the serial number on it knowing that it will likely be there again. It was still there. I was unable to detach the Groma from the case to get a shot of the serial number. I asked the estate sale staff how much they're willing to part with the typewriter this time on their last day. Staff offered $70. I walked away for the last time and resolved to at least preserve what information I could gather regarding this machine.

*Year of manufacture has been updated to 19XX as I was unable to get the serial number to accurately identify whether it is from the 1950s or 1960s.

*Update 9/30/2026: The Groma has been purchased by fellow hunter, J. Ashe who was able to complete identification in which the serial number and date of manufacture has been identified. Thank you to J. Ashe and the larger typewriter community for piecing together the existence of this machine.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Original photo by Grasons Co. of Long Beach. 9/27/26

9/28/2026, last day of estate sale arranged by Grasons Co., left side

9/28/2026, last day of estate sale arranged by Grasons Co., right side

9/28/2026, last day of estate sale arranged by Grasons Co., detail of carriage rail, right side.

9/28/2026, last day of estate sale arranged by Grasons Co., overhead view.

9/28/2026, last day of estate sale arranged by Grasons Co., last look of the Groma in its dusty home. Carriage was straightened out soon after I took this picture.

9/28/2026, last day of estate sale arranged by Grasons Co., detail of an old suitcase. In an attempt to find something to identify the Groma by something in its current residence, I did find the name of the original owner in a closet full of suitcases, jumpsuits, and an old army style sleeping bag. I was informed that any items remaining unsold during the estate sale will be kept with the family. It's likely that the Groma will at least stay with the family of Paul G. Edward's. (The address on the suitcase tag is not the same current residence of the Groma in which the estate sale was occurring.)

Hunter: C Carreon (CCarreon)

C Carreon's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 115

Amateur typewriter hunter and ASW with a small collection of typewriters here in Southern California. My modest collection began around 2014 when I bought a Royal Futura 800 at an estate sale with the measly $20 I had in my pocket.

Seeing the dazzling Americana Futura 800 for the first time paled in comparison to my earliest memories of an electric Brother typewriter that my mom practiced on in the late 90s. I'm forever thankful to the lady that let me buy my first typewriter, the Futura 800, as it has sparked my interest in mid century typewriters. For the time being, I've found a warm sense of comfort in using my typewriters for journaling and letting some clients in my work use it so that they can experience the unique joy of using a typewriter for themselves.

If I find a typewriter in the wild, I'll certainly record and upload it here. In that regard, at least these machines can be saved in a small way for both new and old typewriter enthusiasts.