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Few brand names are as tied to the image of the typewriter as Royal. For much of the twentieth century a Royal sat on desks in newsrooms, offices and homes, and the Royal Quiet De Luxe became one of the most admired portables ever made. This article traces the company’s story from its start to the present, based on public sources. Where sources disagree, we say so, because the history of typewriter companies is full of conflicting dates and legends.
The beginning: Hess, Myers and a Brooklyn workshop
Royal was founded by Edward B. Hess and Lewis C. Myers. Most sources give 1904 as the founding year in New York, with a small machine shop in Brooklyn, though a few say 1906, which is the year the first machines were sold. The founders began with limited money, and by 1905 their funds were running low. They turned to the financier Thomas Fortune Ryan, whose backing allowed the company to continue, though accounts differ on the exact terms.
The company’s first product was the Royal Standard. Hess went on to hold a large number of typewriter-related patents, and he is widely credited as the inventive force behind the early company.
Moving to Hartford and the Royal 10
Production moved to Hartford, Connecticut, with manufacturing starting at the new facility around 1908. Hartford would remain closely associated with Royal for decades.
The company’s best-known early breakthrough came in 1914 with the Royal 10. It featured a distinctive upright design with glass side panels, which gave it an unmistakable look. The Royal 10 is remembered by collectors as one of the most iconic standard typewriters of its era.
The portable era
Royal entered the portable market in 1926, later than some competitors. Portables made typewriters part of everyday travel and personal writing, and journalists, students and authors began carrying their own machines. Royal’s portables would go on to become some of the most popular on the market.
The Quiet De Luxe
The Royal Quiet De Luxe was introduced in 1939, and it became the best-known Royal portable. It earned a reputation for a smooth feel and a handsome design, and it was a favorite among writers. The most famous association is with Ernest Hemingway, who is reported to have used one. The model was redesigned in the late 1940s by the industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss, and a gold-plated version was released in 1947 in limited numbers. According to typewriter databases, the last Quiet De Luxe machines were made in 1957.
If you are looking for a classic Royal portable, the Quiet De Luxe is the machine most people think of, and examples still turn up on the secondhand market. Condition varies widely, so use our vintage buying checklist before you purchase.
World War II
During World War II, Royal, like many manufacturers, shifted its factory to the war effort. Public sources say it suspended typewriter production and made items such as machine guns, rifles, ammunition, propellers and spare parts for aircraft engines. Typewriter manufacturing resumed in September 1945.
Royal McBee, Litton and later years
In 1954 Royal announced a merger with McBee, a producer of accounting and business equipment, and the combined company became Royal McBee. The business was later owned by Litton Industries, and Litton was in turn acquired by Olivetti, which is how the Royal name passed through several corporate owners. Exact dates vary between sources.
As electronics took over offices, typewriter production fell across the whole industry. The Royal name survived on a range of office products. Today, the brand is associated with Royal Consumer Information Products, which sells a range of desk and office items, including typewriters. Sources do not agree on every detail of how the modern company relates to the earlier corporate entities, so be cautious about any exact ownership story you read online.
Royal typewriters today
Today you can find Royal typewriters in two forms: vintage machines from the twentieth century and new Royal-branded models. Vintage machines, such as the Quiet De Luxe and older standards, appeal to collectors and writers who want the feel of a classic. New Royal-branded machines are sold as modern consumer typewriters. They are different products from the old Hartford machines, so judge them as modern budget typewriters.
On Amazon you can compare several new Royal-branded models, including the Royal Epoch classic portable manual, the Classic Retro Manual typewriter, the Scriptor typewriter and the Scriptor II electronic typewriter. Always read the listing for details on the exact model.
Why Royal’s reputation lasted
- Durability: many mid-century Royals were heavy, all-metal machines that have survived decades of use.
- Design: the Royal 10’s glass panels and the Quiet De Luxe’s styling remain admired.
- Writers: the association with famous writers helped build the brand’s image.
- Availability: Royal made large numbers of machines, so they are easy to find today.
Common myths about Royal
- ‘Every Royal is built like a tank.’ Many were sturdy, but condition and model matter. Check each machine.
- ‘Any machine made by Royal is valuable.’ Most common models are affordable; rarity and condition drive price.
- ‘New Royal machines are the same as old ones.’ They are different products made for a different market.
Where to find Royal typewriters
- Vintage: look on eBay, Etsy and specialist shops such as Typewriters.com.
- New: compare Royal-branded models on Amazon, starting with the Royal typewriter collection.
Frequently asked questions
When was Royal typewriter founded?
Most sources say 1904 in New York, though some give 1906. The founders were Edward B. Hess and Lewis C. Myers.
What is the most famous Royal typewriter?
The Quiet De Luxe portable is probably the best known, along with the earlier Royal 10.
Did Hemingway use a Royal?
He is widely associated with the Royal Quiet De Luxe.
Are new Royal typewriters made in the same factory as old ones?
No. Reviewers report that the Royal Epoch, for example, is made in China, not in the old Hartford factory.
Is a vintage Royal a good first typewriter?
It can be, if it is in good working order. Check the keys, carriage and platen.
Bottom line
Royal’s story spans innovation, wartime production, mergers and a long afterlife as a classic name. Whether you want a vintage Quiet De Luxe or a new machine you can start using right away, you can browse current options on Amazon and in specialist shops.