1 - JJH
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- Registered: 23-4-2024
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Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
In my area somebody is selling this old Olympia for 35 €, but there isn't much information, just this photo. I know next to nothing about Olympias, and would like to know the model at least before I contact the seller. It looks like the person doesn't know much about it, and she is suggesting it could be used as a "decoration element".
I like the fact that it has Finnish language keys, something which I haven't seen before.
- JJH
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Re: Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
Oh, and if anyone can notice any obvious damage or missing parts in it by just looking at this photo, feel free to share.
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Thread Starter- Pete E.
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Re: Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
Olympia SM1...but most of those I have seen have the "Olympia" on the back paper-tray off-centered and to the right side.
Maybe this machine you are looking at is a very early one...???
- Pete E.
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Re: Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
But with the ribbon cover hinging along its front edge, it might be an Olympia Orbis.
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- JJH
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Re: Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
Interesting, thank you. I started searching for photos of SM1. Then I saw these:
This was listed as "Olympia SM1 Elite":
And then this Optima Elite looks very similar as well:
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Thread Starter- JJH
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Re: Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
So could it be some type of an Olympia Elite, with the Elite logo missing for some reason? I've heard that Optima and Olympia are connected, but haven't really looked into that.
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Thread Starter- Pete E.
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Re: Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
Good history about Olympia and Optima companies, here :
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- SoucekFan
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Re: Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
JJH wrote:
So could it be some type of an Olympia Elite, with the Elite logo missing for some reason?
I believe that is an Olympia Elite. Yes, it could have been repainted at some point back in the day during servicing or refurbishment.
- JJH
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Re: Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
Well, the couple selling it was willing to let me check out the machine before sealing the deal, and they brought it to my workplace.
It was smaller than I expected and looked to be in beautiful condition besides the fact that it's very, very dusty inside from sitting on a shelf as a decoration piece. I decided to buy it. The carrying case is missing, but they remembered seeing it before and haven't thrown it away, so they still probably have it somewhere. They promised to let me know if they find it. The machine used to belong to the middle-aged woman's deceased father.
The lack of an apostrophe (or am I just missing it?) means I cannot really write English with it, or cannot properly insert a quote inside a quote, but I like the fact that it has the option to do umlauts yourself, which is lacking from my other typewriters. Also no $, which is interesting.
That felt padding inside the ribbon cover looks and feels like new. 
Size comparison with the Adler Tippa S. Taller but narrower.
I am a bit baffled by the fact that it looks exactly like that Optima Elite featured above in the photo I posted and in the link Pete shared, except that it reads Olympia and is missing the Elite logo. I haven't found another example like this online. The serial number starts with a 7, which seems to mean it was made in the 1950s? But didn't Olympia stop producting the Elite after 1948, or am I missing something?
Also, where on earth is the carriage lock? I haven't found manuals for this model. I saw that some different looking models have one poking out from under the machine, but not in this one. The only way I was able to kinda lock it was by setting the margins so it leaves no space for it move sideways, but this still leaves the carriage moving up and down, as it's carriage-shifted. Besides, having to mess with the margins every time you want to lock the carriage seems a bit counter-intuitive.
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Thread Starter- robmck
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Re: Help in identifying Olympia typewriter model
Nice find and an interesting machine. Neat to see the control keys in Finnish (e.g. Vaihto).
I also wonder if this is a repaint & re-decal. It looks a lot like an SM1, except for the centered, decal logo (which is a little like an Olympia Progress) vs the embossed logo on the right as Pete noted. Nothing on the TWDB matches it that I can see.
For manuals, Richard Polt's site has a manual for an Oribs, very like yours. My German isn't great, but from what little I can read, it doesn't mention a carriage lock: olympiaorbis.pdf (xavier.edu). I can't find any English manuals, either.
For apostrophe, (I can't believe I'm suggesting this) perhaps you could use the acute accent and a space as a very crude proxy...
