1972 Olympia SM9 #4540550

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Created: 06-15-2026 at 10:13AM
Last Edit: 06-15-2026 at 10:13AM

Description Hunter 8 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

My 4th Olympia SM9 - this one was acquired for the Senatorial typeface.

Initially it was in rough cosmetic shape. It appeared that some child had gotten into it with markers, and the top cover had a signature of a John Hilger. There is one famous John Hilger, a crew member of the Enola Gay, but that signature does not look like this one. So, given that it was not a historically significant signature, I attempted to remove it. I did my usual attempts, but was thwarted, with green marker on the keys and the signature not coming off. In desperation, I tried denatured alcohol, and magically the green marker disappeared, and with further gentle scrubbing, the signature got a lot more faint. I had initially expected this body to be a candidate for a repaint, but now it's not so bad.

Mechanically, it's in fine shape. It had the bent cover hinge tab that most SM9s have, which I had been able to bend back into the correct position.

The #71 Senatorial typeface is really cool. It's about as unique as the Script, but more readable.

Another Goodwill Auction acquisition. This was sent out from Minnesota.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

#71 Senatorial, which is Olympia's version of the Cubic typeface.

The signature that had marred the top has now become invisible on photographs, and just noticeable in-person.

The tabs on both sides that hold the cover in the open position are often bent inwards. This is probably the worst designed part of the SM9.

Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)

Fumitaka Hayashi's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 702

Relatively new to collecting. Would like to document my collection.

Planning on sticking to full-sized American machines so I don't spend too much on fancy European portables.