1974 Olympia SM8 #4677954
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brad Sarno (bradsarno)
Created: 08-19-2014 at 03:32PM
Last Edit: 08-20-2014 at 08:02AM
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Description:
I just found this 1974 SM8 on Craigslist for $35. Seems a fair price for this ultra-clean machine. This one appears to be the least used typewriter I've ever found. Just pristine, barely any dust. The SM8 appears to be nearly identical to the SM9 but with quite a few features removed: no touch control, no front tab set/clear controls, no tabulator brake, and perhaps a couple of other things I'm not aware of. But it types like a dream, very precision, very light touch. The platen is still nice and rubbery so the noise is just fine, nothing like the hard clack of a typical SM3 or SM4 that may be 10 to 15 years older. The case is lined with a custom molded plastic that conforms nicely and grips the machine well. Pica typeface. A common yet excellent typer.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Brad Sarno (bradsarno)
Brad Sarno's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2728
I've spent my life as a mechanical and electronics tinkerer, bikes, cars, lawnmowers, appliances, cameras, audio gear, guitars, amplifiers, and pedal steel guitars. I was trained as a typist for 2 years back in the late 70's on IBM Selectric II's. At home I recall my mother having an Olympia SM3. More recently we got our daughter a typewriter for Christmas, and that somehow sparked my own personal interest in these fine and interesting machines. Now it's a habit that just won't quit. Daily searches on Craigslist, frequent trips to antique stores & malls, garage sales, etc. It's a fun and healthy addiction.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olympia SM8 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olympia Serial Number page and the Olympia SM8 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
