- Jack Kerouac
- Novice Typer
Offline - From: Sydney, Australia
- Registered: 06-2-2019
- Posts: 38
Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
Is this Olympia too much of a beater?
I’m tempted to buy it as a project, and repaint it.
- M. Höhne
- Key Master
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- From: Maine
- Registered: 14-3-2013
- Posts: 637
Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
Jack Kerouac wrote:
Is this Olympia too much of a beater?
I’m tempted to buy it as a project, and repaint it.
How would we know how much of a beater it is? OTOH, it likely has a script typeface, since it has the number 1 key. I'm sure you'll let us know what you do.
- thetypewriterman
- Key Master
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- From: Leiston, England
- Registered: 29-5-2013
- Posts: 919
Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
As long as cheap, I would go for it. On my computer, the images come out distorted - as if the machine is only one inch thick ! However, I can see that it is an Olympia SM2 from the early 1950's and these are usually good machines - very well built. It is likely to have an age-hardened platen (rubber roller), which would cause the characters to cut through the paper when you type. I can get platens re-rubbered of course, but the cost of sending the platen to the UK and back together with the expensive re-rubbering process would probably be more than the machine is worth.
- Jack Kerouac
- Novice Typer
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- From: Sydney, Australia
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- Posts: 38
Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
I passed on it. I’m up for a challenge, but sometimes it’s not worth it.
There is however, another Olympia on eBay I’m considering. The seller is a retired typewriter mechanic, and has gone over the machine. I’m not sure how I feel about the red colour against the black and green appointments.
By comparison, there’s an un-serviced SM7 available for less, but the typing sample shows that the lower case characters aren’t terribly well aligned.
- Uwe
- Moderator
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
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Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
The SM4 has a horrible rattle can re-paint (and a missing paper rest); I wouldn't touch that machine for a quarter of the asking price, And while I personally don't have any issues with the type quality of the SM7, it's more than twice the price of what I normally pay for an Olympia portable. Are those prices typical of typewriters in Australia?
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
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Thread Starter- Jack Kerouac
- Novice Typer
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- From: Sydney, Australia
- Registered: 06-2-2019
- Posts: 38
Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
Uwe,
I’ve only been into this for a little while, so I’m not entirely sure what prices are usual.all of the Olympia SM machines I’ve seen on eBay have been over $200 (with the exception of the SM7). $200 AUD is about $140 USD.
I have bought (not yet arrived), an Olympia SF Deluxe in baby blue for $20 (plus $20 shipping), and a 1950’s Smith Corona Sterling For $40 (plus $40 shipping). My daughters Olivetti Lettera $35, which got me started into this, was $20.
- Uwe
- Moderator
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
- Posts: 4,410
Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
Those are reasonable prices, and it's not very often that I would spend more than that on a typewriter. Prices have spiked in my area because of resellers who buy machines for a reasonable price, give them a cursory cleaning, and try to flip them for more than four times what they paid. The problem is that when others go online to sell their machines and see the prices the resellers are asking, they figure their machines are worth that too. When it comes to buying typewriters nothing will save you more money than having patience.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
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Thread Starter- Jack Kerouac
- Novice Typer
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- From: Sydney, Australia
- Registered: 06-2-2019
- Posts: 38
Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
Looking for thoughts on this Hermes 3000...
Not much to go on based on the photos and description, but the price seems pretty good.
I can see paint chips and perhaps rust on the front corners (perhaps I could find the right paint colour and do some touch ups?).
I’ve asked the seller for more photos and a type sample if possible.
Someone may snap it up before I’m able to find out more (which could be a blessing, or a missed opportunity).
- Jack Kerouac
- Novice Typer
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- From: Sydney, Australia
- Registered: 06-2-2019
- Posts: 38
Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
What’s the going rate for a Hermes 3000?
- Uwe
- Moderator
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- From: Toronto, Canada
- Registered: 12-3-2013
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Re: Possible Acquistions Thread
Well, someone bought it for AU$110. I wouldn't pay that much for one, but it's not a bad price I suppose given that there are those who go over the moon for that generation of the 3000 and will pay three times more.
The pronoun I has always been capitalized in the English language for more than 700 years.
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Thread Starter