Typewriter Talk / Ultra-Portables...

**Posted by Pete E.** 02-1-2023 19:53:45

Posting these photos up, for one of our Members...

1st. photo is my Olympia SF from 1966.

2nd. and 3rd. photos are of my Olympia Travellers (Deluxe) from 1971 and 1970. I repainted the ribbon cover on both of these machines to add a bit of color.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 02-1-2023 19:56:15

And here is my 1964-made Triumph Tippa (Triumph is an Adler re-badged machine).
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**Posted by Pete E.** 02-1-2023 19:58:30

And my 1968 Hermes Baby...
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**Posted by Pete E.** 02-1-2023 20:03:50

And finally my late 1970's Japan-made Olympia 3 which looks like a Traveller and an Olivetti and has more of a Japanese-typewriter feel to it.

But it is unusual for an ultra-portable in that it is an ultra-portable with a Tabulator function.

Tabs are factory set every 10 spaces and are not adjustable by the Owner.
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**Posted by OregonJim** 02-1-2023 20:14:55

Which of those ultra-portables would you consider to be the best typer, Pete?

**Posted by Pete E.** 02-1-2023 20:23:24

And my Olivetti Lettera 22 from 1950 and my Olivetti Lettera 32 from 1967.

Both also have a Tabulator function with user set & clear Tab stops.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 02-1-2023 20:27:21

Hi Jim,

I like the Olympias the best for typing experience. They feel like bigger machines (being in the 9.5 to 10.2 lbs range) while the others are 1-3 Lbs. lighter. They key-boards have a solid feel to them.

My Hermes Baby is my least favourite to use...as it feels more like a toy when I use it. And I worry that it might break when I type with my normal speed and force...so I hold myself back.

**Posted by Pete E.** 02-1-2023 20:42:56

Here are the weight break-downs of my ultra-portable typewriters.

Weights listed do not include case or lid weight. Only machine weight.

1966 Olympia SF - 9.8 lbs.
1970 Olympia Traveller - 10.2 lbs.
1971 Olympia Travlerl - 10.2 lbs.
1964 Triumph Tippa - 8.9 lbs.
1968 Hermes Baby - 7.3 lbs.
1970's Olympia 3 (Japanese) - 9.4 lbs.
1950 Olivetti Lettera 22 - 8.6 lbs.
1967 Olivetti Lettera 32 - 9.4 lbs.
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**Posted by Pete E.** 02-1-2023 20:47:51

One more thing about the 1968 Hermes Baby...the key-tops are small in size and very close together.

For my finger-tips, I feel crowded when I use the machine.
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**Posted by Kalani** 03-1-2023 10:03:38

Beautiful typewriters.
Huge fan of "lightweight" typewriters.

jim