Description
Sears 161 Electronic Typewriter 53509850 LCD Display AX-80 Vintage 120VAC
The Sears 161 is a compact electronic typewriter sold by Sears, Roebuck and Co. and manufactured in Japan, listed under the OEM model designation AX-80. It features a small LCD display panel for line preview or basic editing before printing, a full QWERTY keyboard with dedicated function keys, and an automatic carriage return mechanism. The unit carries a UL listing as Business Equipment (Class 301K) and is rated at 120V AC, 60Hz, 0.4A.
Specifications & What's Included
- Brand: Sears, Roebuck and Co.
- Model: 161.53509850
- OEM / Listing Model: AX-80
- Display: LCD panel (line preview)
- Keyboard: Full QWERTY with function and formatting keys
- Power: 120V AC, 60Hz, 0.4A
- UL Listed: Business Equipment 301K (File E52783)
- Country of Manufacture: Japan
- Dimensions: 17" W × 14" D × 4" H (approximate)
- Typewriter only — no ribbon included
Applications
Electronic typewriters like the Sears 161 were introduced in the late 1970s and reached peak popularity through the 1980s, bridging the gap between traditional electric typewriters and early personal computers. The AX-80 platform was produced by Brother Industries and sold under store brands including Sears, reflecting the widespread OEM relationships of that era. These machines were used in home offices, small businesses, and schools for correspondence, forms, and documents. The built-in LCD display allowed users to compose and correct a line of text before it was printed to the page — an early form of the word-processing concept that PCs would later make standard. Today they are collected as vintage office technology and pursued for restoration or as functional spares-source machines.
This Sears 161 Electronic Typewriter (Model 53509850 / AX-80) powers on and the LCD display lights up. The carriage moves when keys are pressed and the ENTER key advances the carriage to the next line as expected. We did not have a ribbon on hand to test actual printing, so we are selling this typewriter as-is for parts or repair — no printing functionality is guaranteed. The unit is cream/beige in color and shows light surface wear consistent with age, but is free of major cracks or damage based on our inspection. Please view our photo set and contact us if you have any questions.
Warranty Information
Additional Information
Brand: |
Sears |
Model: |
161.53509850 |
MPN: |
53509850 |
Secondary Model: |
AX-80 |
SKU: |
14606 |
Type: |
Electronic Typewriter |
Listing Model: |
AX-80 |
Voltage: |
120V AC |
Frequency: |
60Hz |
Power Consumption: |
0.4A |
Display: |
LCD |
Country/Region of Manufacture: |
Japan |
Dimensions: |
17" x 14" x 4" |
Era / Period: |
1980s Vintage |
UL Listed: |
Yes — Business Equipment 301K (E52783) |
Seller Notes: |
Typewriter only — no ribbon included |
Condition Notes: |
Sears 161 Electronic Typewriter (AX-80): powers on, LCD lights up, carriage and ENTER key respond normally. No ribbon available to test printing — sold as-is for parts or repair, not guaranteed functional. |
California Prop 65 Warning: |
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, and DEHP (a phthalate), which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Go to P65Warnings.ca.gov |