A carbon ribbon recovery device includes a carbon ribbon supply roller (100) and a carbon ribbon recovery roller (200). The carbon ribbon recovery roller (200) includes a first clutch plate (211), a second clutch plate (212), a friction element (213), a recovery gear (214) and a spindle (215); the spindle (215) is provided on a frame (400) of a printer to support a carbon ribbon (700); the first clutch plate (211), the second clutch plate (212), the friction element (213) and the recovery gear (214) are arranged in turn on the spindle (215), the first clutch plate (211) rotates in synchronism with the spindle (215); the recovery gear (214), the friction element (213) and the second clutch plate (212) can rotate around the spindle (215); the recovery gear (214) is rotated by a carbon ribbon driving device (300), and to drive the friction element (213) rotating, then to proceed to give the second clutch plate (212) a rotating force in the same direction; the second clutch plate (212) is matched with the first clutch plate (211) when the second clutch (212) rotates in a predetermined direction; the second clutch plate (212) is not matched with the first clutch plate (211) when the second clutch (212) rotates in a direction opposed to the predetermined direction. The present invention also relates to a thermal transfer printer having the carbon recovery device.