1961 Olympia SM2 #1836815

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brancaleone daNorcia (Brancaleone)
Created: 09-02-2026 at 05:04PM
Last Edit: 09-04-2026 at 01:22PM

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Description:

Olympia SM 2
Serial No. 1.836.815
Manufactured in 1961
by Olympia Werke AG., Wilhelmshaven (Roffhausen), Western Germany

Typeface: "Pica-Frakturschrift" (Ro 42), Teilung 2,5-2,6mm (Ransmayer & Rodrian, 1970)
Alternative: "Kleine Frakturschrift" (1932), "Klein-Fraktur" (1920)
German keyboard layout with ligatures (tz, ch, ß, st) and round-s

After World War II, Olympia manufactured typewriters with Fraktur typefaces as a special order and in a very small quantity, especially for the "Bund für deutsche Schrift und Sprache e.V." (BfdS). As far as I know, these Fraktur machines were based on SM 2, Monica (1st gen.), SM 8, SM 9 and Monica De Luxe. When Olympia halted this production in the early 1980s, these orders went to Erika in Eastern Germany, where Fraktur machines have been built, based on Mod. 127.

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

• Association for German Script and Language (english, francais, espanol, italiano)
• Mr. & Mrs. Vintage Typewriters: Fraktur machines
• Schreibstube Krempe: Erika Mod. 127

Photos:

Detail: typeface specimen (better resolution)

Detail: serial no. 1.836.815

View: front right

Detail: "Olympia" lettering

View: right

View: rear right

View: rear

Detail: manufactory plate

Detail: rear, margin adjustment

Detail: rear

View: rear left

View: left

View: front left

Detail: keyboard with special keytops for Fraktur ligatures

Detail: keytop for "tz" ligature

Detail: keytop for "ch" ligature

Detail: keytop for "st" and "ck" ligatures

Detail: keytop for round-"s"

View: front

Detail: line spacing adjustment

Detail: paper support with telescopic mechanism and red indicator marking; size does matter

Detail: open lid

Detail: typeslugs AR 42 (1)

Detail: typeslugs AR 42 (2)

Detail: key pressure regulator

View: bottom

Detail: bottom

Detail: spring borne shift keys

Detail: case bottom

Detail: case top

View: typewriter in case

Hunter: Brancaleone daNorcia (Brancaleone)

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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1318

Fellow typospherians, may I introduce myself? I'm Brancaleone da Norcia, Typewriter Hunter and TWDB Patron from Germany. My main focus is collecting portable machines from the 1950s to the 1970s. I particularly appreciate good industrial design and durable construction. Many Olivetti and Erika models inspire my enthusiasm. Some might find it odd that my machines are usually uncleaned in the pictures. I only have very little time for my hobby, and it's very sporadic. Personally, I enjoy taking photos and working on the database much more than handling rags and brushes. But I admire it and think it's wonderful when someone brings a sleeping gem back to life. At last, I have a particular fondness for pangrams and palindromes, and I am always happy to discover new ones. Looking forward to get in touch with you, kind regards, Brancaleone.