The Baby is working really well -- Tom at Cambridge Typewriter really went over it. I had wanted one of the gray older ones, not for any technical reason, just because somehow that Hermes seafoam green color bugs me.  

Valiant wrote:

the right hand carriage release lever is missing, which can make typing a little bit cumbersome,

I don't recall you mentioning that. That's something I think we should get fixed up for you!

JanetLand wrote:

It generally costs me around $85 (U.S.) to have a portable cleaned and repaired (not counting travel).

Wow, that seems very reasonable. Even though I'm sure that the repair was something simple, I don't understand how they make any money when you factor in how long it takes to properly clean a typewriter. A new ribbon is a nice touch.
 

That's a lovely looking machine.

As I mentioned in the New Member Thread before being so lovingly shooed out by Uwe, I am new to typewriters and have been keeping my eye out for my first. On Wednesday, I was wandering through thrift and charity shops in Bristol when I caught sight of a maroon Olympia SM2 in good condition and complete with case. However, I decided against purchasing it as it was £30 and I was unsure whether I was ready to pull the trigger.

With some further thought, I changed my mind and decided that I did indeed want to purchase it. Today I returned to the shop with that intention and immediately headed to where I had seen it on Wednesday. Much to my dismay, it wasn't there! I felt a pang of panic and my heart sunk as I started searching around the shop for it, hoping that it had merely been moved and not purchase. After ten minutes of searching (while trying to appear like I was just browsing), I had just about given up hope. But then, there it was! On display in the shop window.

The fellows running the shop brought it down for me. They assured me that it was in excellent working condition, even providing me with paper and pointing to the different features. I ooh'd and aah'd as if I didn't already know that you could toggle between black and red ink. The machine does type decently, though it will need some work, and it is a little dirtier than I first realised. It's only surface grime, though, no rust or anything. In the end, I was happy to pay the £30 for it.

Excitedly, I carried it home. As a portable, it wasn't overly heavy. Apart from some dirt and frayed corners, the case is in good condition and held up admirably on the 1.5 mile walk.

Here are some photos:







As you can see, it is indeed an SM2. The serial number is 119606, making it a 1951 model. The machine appears to have been sold by "Sare, Hyrons & Co." of Wembley, as that is what is painted on the front. It also has an incredible wealth of fraction keys: 1/4, 3/4, 1/8, 3/8, 5/8, 7/8, 1/2.

The ribbon is old and inconsitent, but here's a sample of the type:

In terms of condition, it is really quite dirty, especially on the underside. Lots of dust, lint, and some tobacco staining. There are a few scratches I didn't notice originally, but nothing major. All the keys work, as does the bell. The platen is still rubbery, though it looks like its been typed on recently, most likely in the shop.

Now to clean it up.