Thanks, Bill. With a bit of rubber restoration, I hope it can become an even greater machine. It is, hands down, the nicest Olympia portable I have used next to the SM9. The bakelite keys give it a bit of an edge over the 9, but the shift is still a tad more difficult than the 9. Of course, this is something to get used to. Thanks again!
I could not ask for a better Craig's List meetup than this. You never know what you are walking into with these things, and it couldn't have turned out better.
Now that's the sort of thing that gets addicting about buying typewriters - the people you get them from are such interesting and friendly folks. (:
And that Olympia sounds like a candidate for rubber restoration. When you find a great old machine like that, fresh rubber invariably turns it into a treasure that'll shoot to the top of your favorites.
Bee-yootiful! And what a nice, encouraging experience.
By the way, I just added your blog to the Writing Ball blogroll. Sorry about the delay, I thought it was already on there and just noticed today that it wasn't.
I don't even know how to put one of those blogrolls on my page. Truthfully, I could never compare to the 'Mighty' on the Typosphere main page. Thanks a whole bunch for adding me to your own list. Making me feel special and all..
Ken, I sure understand your eagerness to get this one and agree that it is positively beautiful. The story behind it is so fitting. It went to the right guy. And I would consider that peculiar keyboard to be perfect for me, especially on an Olympia. Great find and story!
The keyboard is perfect. I only have one machine with a QWERTZ layout, as of yet, and it is a bit hard to get used to. To have a truly German machine with a QWERTY layout is a dream.
Oh, about the QWERTY layout on a German keyboard: I don't have an answer, but I have noticed some other typewriters like this, maybe 2-5% of German typewriters have it. It must be that some German customers preferred it.
Wow, that Olympia is stunning! I've been searching for a prewar Olympia for quite some time now, but due to the ever-present Hermes 2000/Media, they don't turn up in Switzerland.
From what I have seen on Adwoa's page, that is really all you guys find over there. Of course, I have seen some other really neat machines she has posted. I have never before seen one of these Olympia's in person, so this was quite exciting for me. Keep looking! They hide in the strangest places.
Such a grand typewriter! Congratulations! You are so very lucky.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bill. With a bit of rubber restoration, I hope it can become an even greater machine. It is, hands down, the nicest Olympia portable I have used next to the SM9. The bakelite keys give it a bit of an edge over the 9, but the shift is still a tad more difficult than the 9. Of course, this is something to get used to. Thanks again!
DeleteBeautiful typewriter. Beautiful story. What else can you ask for? Congratulations, Ken!
ReplyDeleteI could not ask for a better Craig's List meetup than this. You never know what you are walking into with these things, and it couldn't have turned out better.
DeleteNow that's the sort of thing that gets addicting about buying typewriters - the people you get them from are such interesting and friendly folks. (:
ReplyDeleteAnd that Olympia sounds like a candidate for rubber restoration. When you find a great old machine like that, fresh rubber invariably turns it into a treasure that'll shoot to the top of your favorites.
I have a few machines I would like to restore the rubber on. I think once these few companies get officially started, I may take them up on it. :D
DeleteBee-yootiful! And what a nice, encouraging experience.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I just added your blog to the Writing Ball blogroll. Sorry about the delay, I thought it was already on there and just noticed today that it wasn't.
I don't even know how to put one of those blogrolls on my page. Truthfully, I could never compare to the 'Mighty' on the Typosphere main page. Thanks a whole bunch for adding me to your own list. Making me feel special and all..
DeleteThis is a great machine and a great story. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch!
DeleteKen, I sure understand your eagerness to get this one and agree that it is positively beautiful. The story behind it is so fitting. It went to the right guy. And I would consider that peculiar keyboard to be perfect for me, especially on an Olympia. Great find and story!
ReplyDelete== Michael Höhne
The keyboard is perfect. I only have one machine with a QWERTZ layout, as of yet, and it is a bit hard to get used to. To have a truly German machine with a QWERTY layout is a dream.
DeleteI too love these old Olympias. They are precise and well built machines. Nice catch!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I have not come across many machines that are such a pleasure to type on as my Olympia's are. I really hope to accumulate the entire line.
DeleteOh, about the QWERTY layout on a German keyboard: I don't have an answer, but I have noticed some other typewriters like this, maybe 2-5% of German typewriters have it. It must be that some German customers preferred it.
ReplyDeleteVery good to know. I was quite curious about it, tell the truth. I haven't seen many others like it, and it is a perfect situation for me.
Deleteglad another typewriter has finally called to you. great find! and a memorable story to go with!
ReplyDeleteSo am I! Sometimes, the best part of getting these machines are the stories you get along with them.
DeleteWow, that Olympia is stunning! I've been searching for a prewar Olympia for quite some time now, but due to the ever-present Hermes 2000/Media, they don't turn up in Switzerland.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have seen on Adwoa's page, that is really all you guys find over there. Of course, I have seen some other really neat machines she has posted. I have never before seen one of these Olympia's in person, so this was quite exciting for me.
DeleteKeep looking! They hide in the strangest places.