Royal 10
| Royal 10 | |
|---|---|
 A Royal 10 typewriter | |
| Classification | Typewriter |
| Powered | Mechanical |
| Manufacturer | Royal Typewriter Company |
| Height | 10 inches (25 cm) |
| Width | 15 inches (38 cm) |
| Depth | 15 inches (38 cm) |
The Royal 10 was a typewriter made by the Royal Typewriter Company from 1914 until 1940.[1][2]
The Royal 10 was known for its versatility and durability.[1] A popular typewriter, it changed little over its history, with only cosmetic changes to its side panels. From 1915 to 1922 dual glass panes allowed operators to peer inside, while starting in 1923 a single class pane was used.[2] The Royal 10 sold for $100 ($3,108 in 2024) in 1915.[3] As of 2024[update] the Royal 10 sold for between $100 and $500 on eBay, depending on the year and condition.[4]
The Royal 10 is ten inches in height, and fifteen inches in width and length.[5] The carriage, moved by ball bearings, did not need oil.[6]: 12 Paper up to 11 inches (28 cm) in width was supported.[6]: 31 Dual-color ribbon also was supported, as well as stenciling.[6]: 46, 60 The most common typeface used was called "Pica".[7]
In media
[edit]Rosalind Russell used a Royal 10 in the 1940 film His Girl Friday.[8]
Stephen King's novel Misery features a Royal 10 typewriter given from the character Annie to Paul. The typewriter, originally missing the letter "N" and later losing "T" and "E", and used by Paul to write the draft of his novel Misery's Return, has been called "the novel’s third main character".[1] A Royal 10 also appears in the 1990 film adaptation.[1] For the recreation of the typewriter's font in the book, "Typeka" was chosen as a close match with a slightly used appearance.[7]
A Royal 10 was featured in the music video for Taylor Swift's song "Fortnight", spurring an interest in typewriters among Swifties.[9][4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Gilmore, Shawn (June 15, 2022). "On the Page: Paul Sheldon's Typewriter in Misery (1987)". The Vault of Culture. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ a b "Royal 10 typewriter". Science Museum Group Collection. Science Museum Group. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ "Royal 10 advertisement". Miles City Star. May 30, 1915. p. 2. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ a b Koebler, Jason (April 22, 2024). "Typewriter Community Braces for Influx of Taylor Swift Fans Inspired by Tortured Poets Department". 404 Media. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ "Royal Standard Typewriter, Model No. 10, 1914 - The Henry Ford". The Henry Ford Collections. The Henry Ford. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c Nicholson, R. T. (1920). Mechanical Devices Of The Typewriter (book). London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ a b "Tracking down a typewriter and finding fonts for the making of Misery". Folio Society. Folio Society. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ Cullather, Nick (2019). "Review of The Chinese Typewriter: A History". The American Historical Review. 124 (3): 1049–1050. ISSN 0002-8762.
- ^ Bloch, Emily (April 23, 2024). "An Easter egg in Swift video, or is it the typewriter's design?". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. B6. Retrieved January 2, 2025.