Best find of day: Olympia SM9. Clean. Some life left in platen. It is rather chalky looking (anybody know what that is? Kind of gray film over it.) Of course--it's a mechanical wonder. It is my second, and I THINK it's an SM9, because it looks like my first. My daughter wants a hearty machine so this one will find its way to her.

pdxtypewriter, your Smith-Corona Classic 12 has not an italic typeface but a script one and because of that it is working properly with regard to the line spacing. Because of the shape of some of the characters like G, C, E, and perhaps some others, S-C decided the lines would look too close together at six lines per inch vertically, which is the standard, so they made their script typewriters with four lines per inch. Works as designed.

You'll also notice that there is no provision for using a black/red ribbon; same reason; the characters are too big for the black or red stripe and would hit both at the same time. Ugly effect.

This typewriter is a little gem and looks in fine shape. Congratulations.

pdxtypewriter wrote:

Some life left in platen. It is rather chalky looking (anybody know what that is? Kind of gray film over it.)

I believe the chalky substance is "rubber bloom."  Certain formulations of rubber will bloom. I have seen this occur more often on certain machines such as Olympia SM7-9's, Brother, and some later Royals. Most of the platens I find with blooming, tend to be surprisingly soft, at least by a cursory feel.
 

KatLondon wrote:

pdxtypewriter, you're on a roll! That Sears machine is sooo pretty. 

I agree, Katy. My students are going to love it. Kids flock to typewriters, and it inspires all kinds of writing.

Finally got a 6 CPI machine! I also love be the black and white case