Circa 1926 Corona Four Guide

 Welcome to one of history's most beautiful writing machines, the low-profile Corona Four.

This came in on the heels of the Corona Three, which was a folding typewriter. It is one of the first 'modern' portable typewriters.

They came in a few colors, and a few technical formats. Mostly, the ribbon color selector changed position and design, a few rulers, etc.

These are very resilient writers, and shouldn't give many problems! Or they'll give you a headache now and again. If so, 'the obstacle is the way.'

Using the Case on a Corona Four (not as straightforward as it seems)

The ribbon size is universal (you can find Universal Typewriter Ribbon on Ebay or Amazon). The spool is rare. Keep that ribbon spool, because those are specialized, and you'll wind ribbon onto the vintage ones (or you can order another metal from us).

Similarly, the ribbon covers can get lost. Try to hold onto those! They are hard to replace! (Most of the machines you see are missing those). Also, they have to go on the right way or the ribbon won't feed.

You can rewind the new ribbon onto those spools. Also there are little metal clamps at the center of the spools which clip the ribbon on... don't lose those either! You can fabricate them but it is difficult.

Usually there is some wear to the left ribbon cover, and the trick with that is to be careful not to ding it during use or packing. It's on 99% of the machines.

The carriage lock is a little switch over the right platen knob. The margins are often moved to the middle during shipping. Move those out to the edges to use the machine.

A manual is here. (there are a few subtle variations across years but this should get you going).

Enjoy and please let me know if you have questions!

Corona Four History.

The Corona Four model typewriter, introduced in 1924, was a major milestone in typewriter history, building on the success of earlier Corona models. Designed by the L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriter Company, the Corona Four combined portability with robust performance, making it one of the most popular typewriters of its era.

Its sleek design featured four rows of keys, allowing for a full keyboard layout, unlike its predecessors which had only three rows. This innovation made it easier to use while maintaining the portability that typists loved. The Corona Four became a favorite among writers, journalists, and professionals who needed a reliable, lightweight typewriter that could be carried anywhere.

The model's fame also grew due to its association with famous writers like Ernest Hemingway and Agatha Christie, both of whom were known to use Corona typewriters during their careers. Its durability, smooth typing action, and elegant design cemented the Corona Four's place in typewriter history, making it a symbol of efficiency and style during the early 20th century.

Even today, the Corona Four is cherished by collectors and enthusiasts for its craftsmanship and role in the development of portable writing machines.

We sell the paper that your note came on here.

The ribbon is a universal size, but you’ll have to order the plastic spool one here and wind onto your original spools. They’re a special size.

Write on,

Steven Budden

The Classic Typewriter Company