Welcome, Ben! Just out of curiosity, are you fairly young (it's a relative question given I consider myself to be moderately old)?

Hello! I've been a passive collector for a couple years now. Once I hit a point where I was telling people, "I have over 20 type writers but don't know the exact number" I figured I ought to start learning a bit more about them and proper maintenance. I'll snag about anything I can if it's not electric.

Hi everyone!

I thought it might be a good idea to register here in order to be able to ask you some questions.

I have no knowledge about or experience with typewriters - but I came to the conclusion, that i need a typewriter. Why? To write a letter to a specific person who i admire a lot.

My first intent was to ask you which kind of portable typewriter you could recommend to me. I think I would care most about a proper looking type face on the paper. And of course I wouldnt mind if the typewriter would have some aesthetical character as well. ;)

Long story short: I already found one model that i really fancy. It's the Olymia Deluxe SM3.


I could get it for 30 Euros. Do you think it is a good deal?
The person selling it told me that he didnt use it for like 20 to 30 years.

Any guidance would be heavily appreciated.

Regards from Vienna!

Thank you very much for the warm welcome!

I will get it tomorrow and will see if everything works or if i need help with getting it repaired or how to clean in.

Hi. John here.
Bought my first and only typewriter from a junk shop almost ten years ago - an old Hermes 2000. Only cost £5. It didn't have its case and was jammed up with dust and dirt - still looked beautiful to me though. Much to my shame, I've only recently decided to have a go at cleaning it up and getting it working - it's starting to scrub up well.

I've got another project on its way to me soon too. In Olympia (I think SM3). This one looks a mess too -- covered in mould -- but I'm hopeful a good clean may be all it needs. Will be looking to you guys for guidance along the way! Cheers