1949 Orbis Orbis #6305

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)
Created: 01-29-2025 at 02:20AM
Last Edit: 01-29-2025 at 02:41AM

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Description:

An Orbis Office Machines "Orbis" typewriter. This is a transitional typewriter from the new firm founded by the former owners of Olympia which, after WWII, fell into the Eastern zone and under Soviet influence. Moving to the West, they established a new firm, but the rights to the name "Olympia" were not yet clear. This would be settled around the same time this typewriter was produced and, after a few iterations, this would once again become the Olympia company while the East German outfit had to take on a new name.

For me, this typewriter is special, as it is the predecessor to the whole SM line of portable typewriters. Mechanically, you'll see much that reminds you of the SM3 and SM4, but there are also some important differences. This particular unit is equipped with Pica No 12 typeface (10 pitch, 6 LPI) on a 44 key German "QWERTZ" keyboard, but with one key being a dead key with the acute and grave accent characters. It also features the original black case with lock. Although the tag on the case says the lock does not work, that was due to a misunderstanding on the part of the person who was checking it. Unlike a lot of modern locks, this one requires a full counter-clockwise rotation of the key to lock it and a full clockwise rotation to unlock it. Not a partial turn and then a return to neutral,as in most English or American locks. The top of this case separates completely from the bottom, meaning the typewriter need not be removed from the base in order to be used, although doing so only requires lifting it free.

One last note... The spindles on this typewriter are a bit larger than normal. However, if you buy the style that has the plastic sort of "spring" center, while you hold the tensioner out of the way, if you press somewhat firmly, they will still seat properly and function just fine.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

This text effectively translates to, "Orbis Office Machinery Works, LLC., Wilhelms Avenue."

Notice the draw band, rather than draw cord.

The serial number is visible in two places. This is on the right side of the carriage, on the front rail.

This second serial number is located on the bottom of the unit, on the back support frame.

Note the "12" on the type slugs, designating this as Pica No 12. (10 pitch, 6 LPI)

Note the green cap on the paper release. This is NOT original to the typewriter, but was on it when I received it. I'm gathering it came off an SG1 or something. Since it served and blended reasonably well, I properly secured it in place and left it.

One issue I had with this was that the plastic balls molded onto some of the control levers were all cracked. I put a coat of clear epoxy on them in an attempt to bolster them so they would last a bit longer.

Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1455

Collector of several things, including typewriters, slide rules, and mechanical calculators.
Started collecting typewriters in 2023 with a Royal HHE like the one I did my first book report on when I was in school and using my dad's old typewriter.