1961 Olympia SM2 #1836815

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brancaleone daNorcia (Brancaleone)
Created: 09-02-2026 at 05:04PM
Last Edit: 09-03-2026 at 01:12PM

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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 these production, these orders went to Erika in Eastern Germany, where Fraktur machines were built as Erika Mod. 127.

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

• Association for German Script and Language (english, francais, espanol, italiano)

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)

Brancaleone daNorcia's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1310

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.