Typewriter Talk / Olympia Report de Luxe

**Posted by OregonJim** 12-2-2023 13:26:50

Here is another of yesterday's finds: a 1979 Olympia Report de Luxe:

Curiously, this model also had a starring role in "You've Got Mail":

**Posted by Pete E.** 12-2-2023 13:57:44

Hi Jim,

Great find. Is your machine made-in-Japan or made-in Germany ? My all-white one is made in Germany.

**Posted by Maschinengeschrieben** 12-2-2023 13:58:06

Been using mine for many years. Used to do my school work & even wrote my finals on it. Also used it though job school for writing reports & typing out dictation I has taken by hand. Always served me well. Mine is a wide carriage model from 74.

**Posted by OregonJim** 12-2-2023 19:31:06

Pete E. wrote:
Hi Jim,

Great find. Is your machine made-in-Japan or made-in Germany ? My all-white one is made in Germany.

This one is made in Germany. I know the Olympia "Reporter" was made by Nakajima in Japan, but this one is the "Report" (no -"er").

**Posted by Pete E.** 12-2-2023 19:56:39

Thanks Jim...

I have the SEP model (Electric, made in Japan) with a manual CR lever. Does have more of a Japanese-feel to it.

But its still an enjoyable machine to use. $ 19 and S&H from Shop Good Will. NIce plastic travel case, too.
.

**Posted by OregonJim** 12-2-2023 20:27:12

That's a nice one too, Pete. These Olympias are growing on me. All have been solid and well built so far. Not quite my cup of tea aesthetics-wise - too utilitarian looking - but I'm slowly warming up to them.

**Posted by Uwe** 13-2-2023 12:28:10

OregonJim wrote:
Not quite my cup of tea aesthetics-wise - too utilitarian looking ...

The personal Olympia electrics of the time were rather boxy, but still nicely executed. I believe all of mine are from Japan. On the other hand, the office electronic models from around the same period, like the REPORT Electronic are more stylish to my eye.

**Posted by OregonJim** 13-2-2023 16:55:45

Uwe wrote:
[..] the office electronic models from around the same period, like the REPORT Electronic are more stylish to my eye.

Being a child of the sixties and growing up during the Space Race, I'm more drawn to the design of the Smith-Corona 6 series. They look as though they would be at home on the set of Star Trek, or even Lost in Space.

**Posted by Pete E.** 14-2-2023 11:42:07

Hi Jim,

For " utilitarian looking ", I think my early 1970's Citizen S4-U is the winner,

Surprisingly a very quick, solid, and precise electric and with a pretty mild power-return.

And it has the most robust and well-built case in my collection.

All-in, this one ran me $ 48 USD.
.