I spotted a tombstone-keyed Royal Quiet DeLuxe and a gummy Olympia SM-3 over the weekend while developing a nice sunburn, walking around our multi-block yard sale. Almost picked up the Royal, but didn't as I'd have to lug it home. This morning on the way in, I spotted the Olympia in its case by the curb. It came along with me. I hope that Royal isn't being turned into jewelry.
Still wrestling with the carriage lock on the Oly -- it won't come unstuck, which might mean escapement or carriage problems. I (mis)remembered the segment as being rusty, but it's not -- all the bars are sluggish and slow, though. I'm hoping this does not become a parts machine. But there's an Oly SM-7 being offered on Craigslist -- maybe a Twolympia-type project could happen if this one is a wash...
12 comments:
I'm thinking you would enjoy a Twolympia project...
Except for the carriage lock issue and the lingering smell of smoke, I'm amazed at what good shape this machine is in. It may have to stay intact after all...
Dude. A post like this must come accompanied by a picture. You know the rules. A point from Gryffindor!
"Remiss" must be my middle name. Photo posted for you, Strikethru. But damn this carriage! It simply won't budge.
Well, it's pretty, in any case! Nice color. I wonder if something is wedged in the carriage somehow.
What does Gomez think of this usurper?
I adore brown. It looks lovely on Olympias.
@LFP: Gomez has not met this one yet. (I'm thinking "Morticia", for obvious reasons.)
@Strikethru: it's growing on me. It's very warm and almost reddish.
Ohhhh... I've been hunting for a maroon SM3 or 4 since I first started collecting (which, I'm now realizing, has been several years.). All I can ever seem to find are green ones (which happily have some pretty neat typefaces.).
Lemme know if Morticia turns out to be too much of a hassle for you; I'm sure I could manage to shock her back into the world of the living.
Great find!
Lovely find. The only things around our yard sale is ugly old glass vases and china, clothes, and random crap. I managed to get gold candlesticks, but crap I'd love another typewriter!
Joe, you're right, it is maroon. I didn't realize Olympia made them in this color.
Do you follow Will and Dave Davis' Typewriter Works blog? Because maybe you should have brought that Royal home, afterall.
Of course, if I had the choice to bring only one of those two home, I'd go for the Olympia ten times out of ten.
There's plenty of time for regrets, but I do have two QDLs already -- one with the round glass keys, the other from a bit later with plastic ones. Even for a master of justification like myself, it was hard to find a way to own three of them.
Post a Comment