Typewriter Video Series - Episode 154: Few and Far Between

Are good typewriters getting harder to find? Joe reviews a pristine Olympia SM3, which his wife discovered in a thrift store. What's the future of typewriter collecting?

[@copyrightfreevideobyttf]

This was an absolutely sweet story, and very nice looking machine Joe! Also, love your courtyard as well!

[@chriswriter84]

I love this typewriter, I managed to win an auction on Ebay and got this beauty for just €58 in excellent condition. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can finally try it!

[@BokBarber]

I have a '57 SM3 with Congress Elite typeface. It was a $25 Salvation Army find. The first time I saw it on the shelf I passed it up because it didn't have a case and wasn't working properly, but it stuck in my head and I went back and grabbed it. I'm so glad I did. Once I cleaned it up and got it in decent working order, it became my favorite typewriter. When I moved across country, I gave all of my machines away except my trusty SM3. I even found a case for it; a later SM7 case that I modified and refinished especially for my machine, so I could keep it safe when not in use. It's not in the case too often. At this point, it's one of those few possessions that I'd like to have with me for the rest of my life. It's such a fine machine, and I feel like it's made writing so much more accessible to me. Thanks for taking the time to review one. I hope your wife gets many years of joy from hers.

[@rod2625]

Our first typewriter since my first in the early 60s is a reconditioned early 1953 Olympia SM3 that came to us in July 2015. It is the same green as your’s. We have loved it. Today we dropped it off to our local repair facility to have a JJShort platen installed and general check-up. What prompted us was the arrival of a reconditioned 1967 black Olympia Splendid66 cursive from the UK. It is in beautiful condition. At the same time we found a wonderful gray metal mid-century typing table (brought it home, washed up and waxed it) that just fits with our Olympias so well.

[@JenniferAnneCourt]

Thank you for talking about the little imperfections of typewriters. I feel there are a lot of people who really value the imperfections as a part of the typewriter's personality. I have recently been trying to teach myself how to repair Olivetti Lettera 22's and have definitely been hitting walls. Good to hear your thoughts on nubies and expectations. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and ideas, they are a treasure!

[@andrebartels1690]

I have one, too. On mine, the platen is hard. I tried the bicycle tube fix, and it's much better. But i guess I'm having the platen resurfaced some day. It's too soft now. Greetings from Wilhelmshaven, Germany, home of Olympia typewriters 🇩🇪❤

[@MrZetajones]

One of the best typewriters ever made!

[@Naolslager]

Joe, another excellent video. I have a 1959 green SM3 and it is my favorite (by far) portable typer. I bought mine from the original owner for $60. What's even better I got to hear the story of the typewriter, etc. This is gold! I agree, there seems to be a dry spell and this has caused me to make a few purchases which I soon regretted. I bought five typewriters in one week and ended up trading four of them for one "good" one. The four needed more TLC than I was interested in providing. I will tolerate certain idiosyncrasies in my machines chalking it up to old age and charm but how many of the younger generation will do this? I suspect only a few will. As we've discussed elsewhere, I have experienced and believe these machines have a limited capacity to self-heal once they are returned to usage and loved. Recently my Webster XL-747 "healed" a pesky spacebar issue. All I did was write with the machine! It reminds me of the Christine from Stephen King's book (and movie) of the same name. Let's just hope the machines don't get jealous! I enjoy the SM3's typing more than any other machine I've touched. I've owned three SM7s and while they are good typers they do not compare to the SM3. There is much hoopla about having the ability to set tabs from the keyboard. This is lost on me. I seldom use tabs and if I do I believe once set I would probably not have to regularly adjust them. What are all these people doing with tabs? Am I missing something? Thanks for what you do to enable a peaceful and thoughtful typewriter revival. I'm in!

[@19magic97]

Hey Joe, great video and love your channel, you singlehandedly took me down the rabbit hole, in one month I went from zero typewriters to 14 currently and will be 15 tomorrow with this exact typewriter. Anyways, one tip about these Olympias for everyone really, you can remove the chassis from the body without disturbing the 4 painted over screws with ease, helps preserve originality and aesthetics, simply undo the 4 screws on the bottom(the ones with the infamously deflated rubber washers), then remove the ribbon cover and the plate behind the keys as usual and then with the machine facing away from you(so you’re looking at the Olympia Werke badge) use the fulcrum point between your pointer and thumb on your hands to grab/grip the machine under each platen knob simultaneously and then lift back, up and out like pulling a foot out of a boot. The carriage will of course lift a bit when doing this as it is a carriage shift machine, but not to worry, as long as you’re doing it with care, it’s quite easy with no downsides.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Just snagged a 1958 burgundy Olympia SM3 with matching keys! Really looking forward to playing with it!

[@therisingphoenixlovedbynat121]

I have this model typewriter and I absolutely love it❤👑

[@drandallesq]

Hi Joe, These SM3s are great typewriters. I like the springs under each keytop that help make long periods of typing effortless, and, as you move the carriage left and right, you can get to the carriage shift springs to adjust them, if needed. One of these does anything you could reasonably ask a typewriter to do, and the engineering and manufacturing quality are so high. Mine's a 1956 model, so it's the same age as me, which is fun. I did need to replace the rubber buffers between the chassis and the bodyshell, near the feet, with faucet washers, but that's all. Although typewriters were made in the millions, I reckon an awful lot were sadly scrapped or became landfill before the present resurgence of interest. When we moved to Seattle from England, I left my Woolworth's portable typewriter there, that I hadn't used in years. If you see a typewriter you like, or even better your wife finds it for you, get it, to save it for posterity, or as a hedge against inflation - they've done better in value than any of my other investments. Three sets of wire shelving with four shelves each can store 60 typewriters, with five on a shelf. Plus there has to be a typewriter or two in every room, and my cubicle at the office has a shelf of them. All the best and thanks for these great videos! David

[@4355dcox]

I would love to find and buy Ollie’s sibling! Nice machine Joe. Your wife deserves a nice thank you lunch. :)

[@zeltarstormrun]

SM3's are some of nicest looking typewriters ever made!

[@christopherbartleson8918]

I'm finally setting my sights on an Olympia SM after a couple good buys, my 1962 Hermes 3000 and 1924 Underwood 3 Bank at prices I couldn't refuse. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one.

[@babsstevetillett600]

I certainly enjoy my 1957 SM3. Mine is the same color as yours. A highlight of these machines is the case designed by Otto Winter. Really beautiful and unique. Hope you enjoy your new machine.

[@dozeofaudio]

sm3 types like the town you grew up in, sm9 is the city where your dreams are

[@mattrobinson47]

I think you may have hit a dry spell, but I am finding great luck in keeping an eye out online as well as making the thrift shop circuit. And, as a “poet for hire” in New Orleans, I can tell you that each of us has our writing iron of choice, and the people always love our beautiful machines. Thanks for all your typewriter videos-you have an envious collection!

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

Do you think? It is a miracle.

[@joaoalbertodosanjosgomes1536]

💋s to New Orleans. I ❤ it. Wonderful food.

[@AlasdairGR]

I’ve got a grey SM4 that is my go-to work horse and I love it so much. I’m hoping to find an SM3 in either red or a dark green.

[@seuny]

I have a grey Sm4 too, it says De luxe with an oversized carriage I could do without but really happy with it.

[@Fwyd]

I've got a burgundy SM3 coming in three weeks! Thanks for the tour.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Me too! The keys are burgundy too!

[@lucasbarletta2986]

Obviously there aren't many typewriters left from the 40's to the 60's because in the 70's offices would throw them away and replace them with selectrics and early computers. Good typewriters that are left I think are from writers and users of them. The only office typewriters that are more common are selectrics. If you want to find a good typewriter like an Olympia and can't find one for sale, try seeing if any family member has one. I got my typewriter from my grandma, she used to be a secretary and when she retired she took her IBM Selectric III with her because the office was going to throw it away. A few months after I got the typewriter, her sister had another typewriter, it was a Rover 5000. I didn't take it because it was in pretty bad condition and I got pretty attached to the selectric.

[@petercane6376]

I can get a fully refurbished SM3 for $550 Australian. More than you paid but all the work is done. I missed the bit about how many tab settings it has. I think the lines of this machine are just beautiful. The engineering gone into it is just fabulous Yeah it’s olive green so I’ll call it Ollie too. Cousin Ollie in Australia,.

[@dianemaher3538]

Joe, maybe you should put that Smith Corona 5 series that you currently have the dryer sheet in the case outside for a while and see if that doesn't help with the smell on that one?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

That's a good idea. And leave it in the bright NM sunlight, that prolly helps too. Oh - I got your letter, reply pending soon.

[@my_negative_world]

Just got one for 2 dollars with a case. It's extremely dirty but not rusty and it works perfectly. All the rubber parts are still wonderfully flexible.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

It's fun when you find one like that. Maybe that's why we can't easily stop collecting, the dopamine rush is addictive!

[@my_negative_world]

@@Joe_VanCleave I have the same problem with old analogue cameras. That feeling when you spot a mju ii in a pile of compact cameras from a distance.

[@dianemaher3538]

I also have one of these green SM3 machines; I think it is from 1957. And a brown one to go with it (not sure of the date on that one). Both are among the best typers I own. The green one is elite and the brown one is pica.

[@parlamedia]

Just found one for 20€. It's basically unused. No dust, not serviced. I feel so lucky!

[@mythicalireland]

I'm getting one! I've ordered it from an Irish typewriter restorer. Looking forward to getting it, maybe early next week. Same colour too.

[@FinnyC]

How is it? Could I ask what website you bought it from?

[@mythicalireland]

@@FinnyC It's fantastic! I bought it from a gentleman called Colum who is on Instagram as @themagictyper

[@vinodgowda875]

Your view on typewriter as an antithesis of planned obsolescence is spot on, Joe. I came to the same conclusion and it was that moment, to feel that I am not alone. The appreciation of organic imperfection is also much appreciated. I am new to typewriters and came across your site on my search for information. I am now on a look out for a nice SM3 or SM4 for my typing use- not collection. What is your view on Hermes 3000? That is my other alternative. Thanks in advance for your advice. I would buy you a drink, if I could.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Vinod: I'm glad you found this channel. As for a choice of typewriter, both the Olympias and Hermes 3000 are good choices, though they are different. Olympia has the more solid build-quality, but a bit firmer touch, while the Hermes is a softer touch, but not as soft as the Italian Olivetti machines. Ideally you should find a typewriter shop and try both out before making a choice, a lot depends on your personal likes, and also on the condition of the individual machine.

[@vinodgowda875]

@@Joe_VanCleave Thank you Joe. I will do that. Best wishes.

[@michaelcase8574]

There must be many permutations of the SM3. I have two of them each cream colored. Neither have the touch control on the right and one has solid knobs on the carriage and one has the two part knob on the right.

[@christopherbartleson8918]

Yup, I’ve already experienced this issues tinkering on a couple of old Royal typewriters, hard to get it working perfect.

[@Master_Blackthorne]

I have a gray SM3 and I call it my Snapper.

[@carldove1383]

Hey Joe. Great video as usual, and I’m glad to see you have found an SM3 at last! As far as the ‘touch’ of this machine is concerned, have you noticed that each key is cushioned, that is to say there are springs underneath the keycaps? I don’t believe I have ever come across that attention to engineering detail in any other typewriter.

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Right you are, Carl, a very subtle detail but fascinating that it was deemed necessary.

[@tpaynemm]

Nice. I just picked up a 70s SM9 in excellent shape online (pricey), as well as a SM4 with a wide carriage that hasn't arrived yet. Looking forward to comparing it to the SM7 I also just picked up on eBay and which hopefully isn't destroyed in shipping :) I've jumped into typewriters whole hog! Thanks for your videos!

[@izzypleasures3545]

Personally, I don't think the typewriter revival can truly begin without an underlying industry underneath the culture itself to support it. Like you said, there's only so many typewriter's left and the world is a big, big place. Waiting for suitable typewriter donor parts to show up isn't very conducive to keeping the movement -well- moving. Plus it's hard to give people typewriters when the total number of typewriters in the world is actively shrinking with every broken machine. The only real way for the typewriter revival to start is if we start making typewriters again, and I don't mean from China. At least, not from some small village mill in China.

[@berniepokorski2489]

Most Excellent!!!

[@dianemaher3538]

It is also becoming harder to find older machines (e.g. pre-WWI or WWII) at lower prices, not just the 'modern' portables like this one.

[@eljefe6013]

Beautiful machine

[@eljefe6013]

Is it made in USA

[@michaelbliss5330]

Germany

[@tmunk]

You do know that if your wife named it, then it means it's hers, right? :D

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Yep. And she's reminded me of that fact!

[@demonprincess5634]

It is just like over fishing, where at one time there seems to be endless amount then over time they get fish to extinction. It is the same thing with anything that people collect, typewriters , video games. There was a time that there where lots and the cost was very far, but it only last a short time. Where the only ones you can get cost lots of money, because you came in to late. You miss the boat... what where I am, I'm not trying to be the next collector. Just want to get a typewriter so I can work on my writing but just seems out of reach now.

[@frank4282]

Olympia is addictive. I have typed with many devices but this thing causes addiction! At nights when you are sleeping you are thinking about it! I don't understand it. It's like driving an excellent car.

[@eastwoofer]

My 64' SM5 will destroy that.

[@ingamiller9386]

Hi Joe- I recently purchased a 1958 Olympia SM-3 and LOVE IT. Wondering about the ribbon, is it supposed to auto-rewind? If not, would you recommend hand rewinding to get another pass from the ribbon. Would love to get your input. Thank you!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Inga, typewriters like your SM-3 that use cloth ribbons are designed to auto-reverse the ribbon when they come to the end. These Olympias sense end of ribbon by the tension on the ribbon when it gets to the end. Make sure the ribbon is threaded through both "forked" guides. Sometimes the auto-reversing doesn't work because the mechanism needs to be degreased and cleaned. You can reverse it by hand, by opening the cover and flipping the forked guides to the opposite orientation (one will flip back the other will flip forward).

[@ingamiller9386]

@@Joe_VanCleave Thank you Joe, I will look into all. LOVE your videos.

[@lucasbarletta2986]

Does Ollie use the same ribbon spools as his big brother? ( Olympia SG1 )

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Yes, DIN-sizes spools, also they don't need reversing eyelets.

[@mattrobinson47]

*enviable…ahem. Btw, here’s a joke: What kind of blood does a sloppy writer have? Type-O!

[@326159487d]

😂😂😂 thank you for the laughs!

[@j.d.thompson3505]

Dear Joe, Do you know what the difference is between the Deluxe and the 'S' models are?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

The SM3 usually has De Luxe written on the segment and the SM4 has the S. I think they are marketing terminologies.

[@j.d.thompson3505]

@@Joe_VanCleave I just saw someone say the MR key unjams the slugs on the Deluxe but not on the 'S'. I don't know.

[@johnlennon1049]

I have a 1959 Olympia SM4. Olive Green, like new and types great. Can you tell me where the serial number is?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

It should be stamped under the left rear corner.

[@aejasahmed8709]

Where can I get one?