Olympia SF ultraportable typewriter withcase+new ribbon Clean, working perfectly

  
Weighing in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces with a fresh ink ribbon wound onto vintage steel spools, this is a first-generation example of Olympia's lightweight portable typewriter, the SF. Introduced by its German maker in 1956, the SF featured bodywork that was more rounded and organic in its early years, much like the larger portables SM3 and SM4; around the time Olympia introduced its more angular SM7 in 1961, the SF design followed suit. This typewriter, dating to 1959 or 1960 (the online database isn't entirely clear), comes to you with its original carrying case, its original user manual and a bit of ephemera I almost never see, the factory inspector's typewritten test sheet. The color is a bit hard to depict onscreen -- I'd describe it as a metallic charcoal, not crinkle paint but with sort of a hammered look to the finish. I have gone through this machine carefully and thoroughly. All bodywork was removed for access to the innards for cleaning and adjustment. While I had the typewriter apart I installed fresh sound-damping felt pads in the side panels. Once everything was back together I discovered what a delightful action this machine has.

Just look at this short clip of the typewriter at work. In typical Teutonic form, the Olympia company didn't put model numbers on their typewriters -- and the nomenclature they used in their sales literature and user manuals wasn't exactly the stuff of advertising magic.

Olympia's machines included the SG, acronym for "Schreibmaschine Gross" or Writing Machine Big; SM for "Schreibmaschine Mittel-Gross" or Writing Machine Medium, and this model with the SF label for "Schreibmaschine Flach, " which translates as Writing Machine Flat. The "Flat" is a reference to the form factor -- this typewriter reaches an altitude of just three inches above the surface of your desk. Olympia's SF typewriters feature a carriage shift, because the compact form just doesn't allow room for a basket shift. As befits a lightweight, the SF omits some features common to larger typewriters, including any tab mechanism and the ability to use a bi-color ribbon. Ultraportable typewriters, as a group, reflect a set of design choices in which compromises and trade-offs are unavoidable. The manufacturers didn't make their biggest, sturdiest office machines so large and heavy just to keep them from floating away from the desk: they really are superior typewriters, but few of us now have room for these 40-pounders in our lives. That said, this Olympia SF is one of the most responsive and precise ultraportable typewriters I've ever had the pleasure of working with. I invite you to look closely at the specimen page shown here: the quality of the typed image is about as good as you could hope to get from a typewriter that you can easily zip into its case and take along to the local park or coffee shop. As you can see from the photos, this machine has an enclosed base, which means you can set it on your lap without smudging your clothes. Or your skin, if you prefer typing without clothes -- I'm making no judgments here. Let me be clear about this typewriter's condition.

Yes, there are patina issues as might be expected in a 61-year-old machine. However, every key and every control works as new. Everything, right down to the sweet brass end-of-line warning bell. The touch is light and fast. I'm a 70 wpm touch-typist and this SF doesn't slow me down one bit.

I try not to use the word "rare, " but the Olympia SF is considerably harder to find than its rightly beloved big brother, the SM9. Thanks for reading, and happy typewriter hunting! The item "Olympia SF ultraportable typewriter withcase+new ribbon Clean, working perfectly" is in sale since Sunday, March 14, 2021. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Pens & Writing Instruments\Typewriters".

The seller is "spanghew" and is located in Edgartown, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, Ukraine, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay, Russian federation.

1. Type: Manual
2. Year: 1959
3. Features: Portable
4. Vintage: Yes
5. Brand: Olympia