Olympia SM1 1950

This is a rare, near mint condition, 1950, OLYMPIA SM1 typewriter, in black body colour with forest-green accents. It is in absolutely superb condition in every way. It has been fully serviced, aligned and adjusted. This typewriter has a recently renovated platen roller so the typing is clean and clear and soft. It has a new two-colour ribbon on two original metal ribbon spools and comes with a hard case in near-perfect condition.

This typewriter is the progenitor of the SM model-line of Olympia typewriters, perhaps the most influential typewriter model of modern times. SM stands for Schreibmaschine Mittelgroß ("Medium-size Typewriter"). The SM1, from Orbis Buromaschinewerke in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, is the typewriter that led the way to the general public having a serious typewriter in every home. It is a solid, dependable, well-engineered and beautifully designed typing machine for the desktop, but which did not dominate the desktop. The SM1 led to the SM2 though the SM9 models which revolutionised home--and office--typing. So this SM1 typewriter--in near-perfect, and original(!), condition is a piece of typewriter history.

This is another typewriter from the "Jake Mulhane Collection". Mulhane was originally an American who traveled widely and was sometimes called the "last of the cowboy explorers". He collected broadly with an eye for the unusual--but always the highest quality. We will be selling more of his typewriter collection in the months ahead.

This is a fully-working--as original--typewriter. The only thing that you have to do is sit down, put paper on the roller and start typing. It comes with a full mechanical guarantee for 3 months. There are no shipping charges, the price you see is the full price. And, I guarantee safe delivery to you, wherever you are in the world. We have shipped safely to the outback of Australia, the Sultanate of Brunei, Japan, China, Dayton Ohio, the Isle of Wight, Ecuador and hundreds of places in between. We provide careful and attentive after-purchase advice and assistance from the date of purchase to the end of eternity to ensure your full satisfaction. A link to the original Olympia SM4 User Manual will be sent to the purchaser.

The colour on this SM4 is a rich black with the very deep green shift, margin and backspace keys and platen roller knob button . It is a very handsome combination. All of this is original to the manufacture of this typewriter.

For many, the Olympia SM model line is the gold standard of typewriters. It is one of the most well-engineered, solid, durable and usable desktop typewriter models ever manufactured. It is perfect for a fast typer, or a slower one. This typewriter was originally purchased through the Falkenberg Company in Alkmaar, Netherlands, an office furnishings shop. The original Falkenberg metal badge is attached to the inside of the case.

The keyboard is standard English language QWERTY, and the typeface is Olympia's Pica (10 c.p.i.). This is a truly handsome and serious typeface. please note that on the typing samle the date of manufacture of this typewriter was erroneously noted as 1949. It was produced in 1950.

Regarding the rubber: Platen Roller is newly renovated with new rubber. The Paper Feeder Rollers are new-like and soft. The Feet are new-like and soft.
Regarding the chrome: Perfect and unblemished.
Regarding the Body condition: No blemishes or fading anywhere.
Regarding the mechanical condition: Working perfectly, as originally manufactured.

Comes with the original case which, too, is in excellent condition inside and outside. There are only the smallest signs of wear on the outside of the case. The interior is a beautiful green colour with only one point of wear on the otherwise perfectly preserved lining.

Based on the serial number (65516) this machine was manufactured in 1950, only the second year of production of the SM1 model.

This near-perfect example of an OLYMPIA SM1 will be packed and shipped with the greatest care to preserve its condition and beauty. We have a lot of experience in shipping typewriters and have an excellent track record for proper packing and safe delivery. It will be fully insured for shipment.

If you have any questions or wish to see more photos, please don't hesitate to contact us.