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197X Typewriters Works Maritsa 12 Serial # 12136475 197X Typewriters Works Maritsa 12 typewriter, Serial # 12136475 Javier Vazquez del Olmo's 197X Typewriters Works Maritsa 12 typewriter. 2019-09-21 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Javier Vazquez del Olmo: 197X Typewriters Works Maritsa 12 Serial # 12136475 This typewriter has been a bargain. I got this one and a Lettera 32 for just 1 euro! The catch is that they need to be repaired.

This one is fairly interesting. It's quite beaten and battered, and something terrible happens with the carriage. It goes well until it reaches the middle of the line, and then it jams. I suspect there are some loose ball bearings there. Apart from that, it's quite rusty. On the bright side of it, it's not that ugly and the case is quite nice. Apart from that, I have a similar machine to have an idea on how will it be once repaired: an Admira 2 (rebranded Maritsa 12), which turns out to be a decent typewriter. Well, I guess I can't ask for more.

---LITTLE UPDATE---

I've been digging a bit on the possible history of this typewriter, and it definitely looks like a Princess 500, but taking into account Princess typewriters are quite scarce here and Maritsas fairly abundant, I´m pretty sure it's a Maritsa 12.

--- YET ANOTHER UPDATE ---

I've rolled up my sleeves and tried to repair this machine. I've managed to make it work again after getting rid of some rust and cleaning the carriage rails. The main problem seemed to be there, they were covered with a thick gunk. Now it's usable (typeface added, but the ribbon isn't at its best), although it doesn't run as fast as it should. I still need to improve my (poor) repairing skills. In addition, a bit of history: Maritsa is the name of the river that runs through the city where I think these typewriters were made: Plovdiv. It´s a really interesting place, one of the oldest cities of Europe and the world, and the second largest city of Bulgaria

197X Typewriters Works Maritsa 12 #12136475

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)
Created: 07-30-2016 at 04:44AM
Last Edit: 09-21-2019 at 01:13AM

Description Hunter 9 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

This typewriter has been a bargain. I got this one and a Lettera 32 for just 1 euro! The catch is that they need to be repaired.

This one is fairly interesting. It's quite beaten and battered, and something terrible happens with the carriage. It goes well until it reaches the middle of the line, and then it jams. I suspect there are some loose ball bearings there. Apart from that, it's quite rusty. On the bright side of it, it's not that ugly and the case is quite nice. Apart from that, I have a similar machine to have an idea on how will it be once repaired: an Admira 2 (rebranded Maritsa 12), which turns out to be a decent typewriter. Well, I guess I can't ask for more.

---LITTLE UPDATE---

I've been digging a bit on the possible history of this typewriter, and it definitely looks like a Princess 500, but taking into account Princess typewriters are quite scarce here and Maritsas fairly abundant, I´m pretty sure it's a Maritsa 12.

--- YET ANOTHER UPDATE ---

I've rolled up my sleeves and tried to repair this machine. I've managed to make it work again after getting rid of some rust and cleaning the carriage rails. The main problem seemed to be there, they were covered with a thick gunk. Now it's usable (typeface added, but the ribbon isn't at its best), although it doesn't run as fast as it should. I still need to improve my (poor) repairing skills. In addition, a bit of history: Maritsa is the name of the river that runs through the city where I think these typewriters were made: Plovdiv. It´s a really interesting place, one of the oldest cities of Europe and the world, and the second largest city of Bulgaria

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:






Rust, rust everywhere!
Rust, rust everywhere!


After cleaning it doesn't look bad at all. If I have to point out something, it´s the weird placement of the mainspring drum. I bet you wouldn't guess where it is!
After cleaning it doesn't look bad at all. If I have to point out something, it´s the weird placement of the mainspring drum. I bet you wouldn't guess where it is!

Before cleanig... Some rusted parts, but nothing too serious. The most critical parts are just fine or only lightly rusted so good omens here.
Before cleanig... Some rusted parts, but nothing too serious. The most critical parts are just fine or only lightly rusted so good omens here.

Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)

Javier Vazquez del Olmo's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 6476

The first typewriter I saw was my grandpa´s Olivetti Linea 98 at the office. It was just a curio for me. Then I was given a Nakajima, which I didn´t use and my grandfather took it from me because it was easier to handle than the bulky Linea 98. Now I own that typewriter, and I started a little collection in Valladolid, Spain. The Nakajima, which is "my" typewriter only returned home in 2017, almost 20 years later, when he wanted a better typewriter.

A collection that started small grew into something bigger, a nuisace for my family and a great source of satisfaction for me.


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