197X Scheidegger (Olivetti) Hispano Suiza #0399001

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)
Created: 03-21-2015 at 04:44AM
Last Edit: 03-21-2015 at 04:47AM

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Description:

I got this one for free, but it was in very bad condition. In fact, it looked like someone had dropped it hard (again), because the carriage did not advance and there were several pieces dancing freely inside. I couldn´t repair it, so I had to send it to an expert, and istead of being free this typewriter ended up costing 40 euros. Part of the carriage cover and the ribbon cover are missing, too.

For what I´ve learned, Scheidegger sold basic typewriters intended for learning. They are made by Olivetti, and I´m not fully sure whether they´re a downgraded version of another design or they´re a new design on their ow. This one looks a bit like the Studio 46´s little brother, and also seems to be exactly the same as the Scheidegger Italia 500, with the only difference being the Hispano Suiza the Spanish market version.

As for the quality... Well, I think these typewriters were never intended for heavy work or durability. Many of them have dissapeared despite being a "recent" model, and this can happen due two reasons: the intensive use of plastic which leads to poor durability and reliability, and the very nature of these machines. They were intended for people who would give little use to them and most probably wouldn´t care much about them.

All in all, the Hispano Suiza is not a good typewriter, but it´s not poisonous. The keyboard feels a bit stiff and the biggest problem is inaccuracy. But it is somewhat nice, better than the Lettera 15 or the unspeakable Mercedes (Antares) Portable.

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

• Scheidegger (Olivetti)Italia 5000: Twins.

Photos:

Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)

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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.