the munchkin wrangler.

Ebay is actually your best bet -- or an antique store. They're hard to come by.

If you have the spools can you wind a new ribbon from a more modern typewriter on them? Just an idea. . .

There is something cool about old typewriters. I inherited a Underwood Universal from my Grandfather when he passed away. It was made in 1943, and still works great.

I'm pretty sure my computer isn't going to last that long...

http://chicagotypewriters.tripod.com/

Try Staples. They have generic typewriter ribbons that work in Royal typewriters. I have a WW2-era Royal portable that I bought at a yard sale for 45 a few years ago; the ribbons at Staples fit it.

I learned to type on a "portable" manual typewriter. I had to schlepp that sucker to school every time I had class. I can't tell you how often the metal whatchumacallums got tangled. It's probably why my best speed is 50 wpm.

Try one of these -

http://www.typewritercollector.com/ribbons.html
http://staff.xu.edu/~polt/typewriters/tw-faq.html#q2

try this site for starters...

http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/lookup+1/574E516DAAD0438BCA257215000E6E07 (comments more useful than the article)

good luck

M,
Email me the details from the piece, i.e. any model info or SNs. There is a typewriter restoration place not far from me, where I plan to have my old Olympia typewriter rejuv'd.

Coolness! --I've got a three-row flipover L. C. Smith & Corona portable the lads at King's Typewriter Service refurbed; a delightful thing but it'll drive you mad trying to keep the CAPS and FIGS shifting straight. Made from around WW I to the early '30s and no easy way to date more closely.

When that gets to be too much, I've got a Royal Quiet De Luxe from '48 with the kewlest. shift. keys. ever.: they're marked "SHIFT FREEDOM!" Even has the manual and case. (With a NuKote B66 ribbon, fwiw).

Most cities of fair-to-middlin' size still have one typewriter-repair shop hanging on. It's a vanishing art and well worth hunting for.