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Home » Olympia » SM4 » 1960 #1584117
1960 Olympia SM4 Serial # 1584117 1960 Olympia SM4 typewriter, Serial # 1584117 Fumitaka Hayashi's 1960 Olympia SM4 typewriter. 2026-05-19 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Fumitaka Hayashi: 1960 Olympia SM4 Serial # 1584117 No. 16 in my collection (19 May 2026) is an Olympia SM4 with a script typeface!

I had been on the lookout for something with a more interesting typeface, and when the opportunity came, I had to take it. It did involve driving about 4 hours round trip. It was worth it.

The only thing wrong seems to be the degradation of the rubber washers isolating the body from the frame. Apparently, this is a fairly common problem, and results in the carriage grinding against the body. I have ordered replacements. I have temporarily shimmed the body so that it will type.

I do need to get a nicer ribbon for it. Because of the script typeface, it is not compatible with 2 color ribbon, and the 'color selector' only gives you the choice of color or no-color (assuming it's for stencils).

Bought from Facebook Marketplace from an older man in Danbury, CT, who was starting to downsize in preparation for selling his home.

1960 Olympia SM4 #1584117

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Created: 05-19-2026 at 08:24PM
Last Edit: 05-19-2026 at 08:39PM

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Description:

No. 16 in my collection (19 May 2026) is an Olympia SM4 with a script typeface!

I had been on the lookout for something with a more interesting typeface, and when the opportunity came, I had to take it. It did involve driving about 4 hours round trip. It was worth it.

The only thing wrong seems to be the degradation of the rubber washers isolating the body from the frame. Apparently, this is a fairly common problem, and results in the carriage grinding against the body. I have ordered replacements. I have temporarily shimmed the body so that it will type.

I do need to get a nicer ribbon for it. Because of the script typeface, it is not compatible with 2 color ribbon, and the 'color selector' only gives you the choice of color or no-color (assuming it's for stencils).

Bought from Facebook Marketplace from an older man in Danbury, CT, who was starting to downsize in preparation for selling his home.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Apparently these are RaRo 75 Script slugs 'Roma', aka Tall Script, as the capital E and C have long descenders.
Apparently these are RaRo 75 Script slugs 'Roma', aka Tall Script, as the capital E and C have long descenders.






You can kind of see the rubber grommets between the frame and body that are degrading.
You can kind of see the rubber grommets between the frame and body that are degrading.



The inside of the lid isn't bad, but the metal hardware is quite rusty.
The inside of the lid isn't bad, but the metal hardware is quite rusty.

Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)

Fumitaka Hayashi's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 335

Relatively new to collecting. Would like to document my collection.

Planning on sticking to full-sized American machines so I don't spend too much on fancy European portables.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olympia SM4 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olympia Serial Number page and the Olympia SM4 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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