1957 Olympia Splendid 33 / Meet "Dorothy" / READ REVIEW / A Beauty -Ready to Use

Description

Hello Again, I'm Dorothy!!!  It's been a LONG time since I've been on the ice (typed with) but with KB's care, I must admit that I still have "it."  I'm not as fast as I used to be and PLEASE KNOW THAT THE SPLENDID 33's DO NOT HAVE TENSION CONTROL whether you buy me or not.  The Splendid 66's and 99's have the tension control, and I'm not sure if the SF models do or not.  I think the De Luxe ones do.
Anyway, about me...  I'm still gorgeous and cute as you can see, and I have a really good feel since I was a Gold Medalist in my prime in 1976.  And then, those darn electric typewriters got popular and then those distraction masters called computers kept me in the case.  My platen is okay for a 1957, but I do require a little more effort than these SM9's and SM3's as I've been hanging out with in KB's Typehaven.  Those SM9's should just be illegal because after KB gets a hold of them, they require hardly any effort compared to use.  So, I'm perfect for that person that doesn't use all their fingers but still gets the job done.
My RETURN IS GREAT NOW after KB made an adjustment because I required a snap motion to get to the next line. Now, my return is an attribute.
I have an English (UK) keyboard (No $ sign), and I don't have a 1 or a 0 key as you just need to use a lowercase L for the 1 and a capital O for the zero.
Again, PLEASE know that I do not type as well as an Olympia SM3 or SM9, but I'm the best solution if you want to take your typewriter somewhere and already have an SM Series like A LOT of writers did in the past, and they will in the future as well.  The SM's are considered a "Portable" typewriter, but I think they are a bit big and heavy to be in this category, especially if you compare it to a Lettera 32.  KB told me how he sold a typewriter to a guy that had five typewriters but no Olympia SM3 or SM9.  The buyer sent KB a note saying that his other typewriters felt like toys.  KB says that even though I look like a "toy," I do not type like a toy.  I am solid, as you already knew this from out past.
Okay, I appreciate you reading this far, and I'm going to hand it over keeping social distancing in mind.
KB Here...
Hey, KB Here...
Please realize I ALWAYS have between 5 to 15 typewriters that are listed individually and in detail and please review my seller's feedback!
I WILL PAY return shipping if the typewriter is not as described or broken, but I want to see if there's an easy adjustment that will get your typewriter working correctly before paying for shipping back and forth since it's expensive and will cause me to raise my prices.  Plus, it's going to be a pain for you packing this fragile tank.  It's a tank when you get it on the desk but getting it there is tricky if you don't really know what you're doing.
To Save Time for you reading through my typewriters I think by rating what I look for in a typewriter geared for a writer, this will be the best way.  Also,
PLEASE read my typing sample
where I am actually using the typewriter and discussing what's good and what's not so good...
Rating Scale – 1 Terrible, 5 Good, 10 GREAT - (I'm NOT going above 10 anymore on listings to lessen confusion)
Platen and Rollers    8.5
This platen REALLY grips the paper!!!
Ease to get mark      8
8 is a GREAT score considering the size, but I'd say Dorothy is a 9 for an Ultra-Portable.
How Snappy is it      7
Do NOT buy this typewriter if you type really fast or a Splendid 33 for that matter.  However, I had NO problems, and I type about 45 words per minute with all my fingers.
Exterior Condition    10
She looks as good as she did with her wedge haircut in 76'.  There is an unseeable ding on the left side, and I'm glad the picture looks a lot worse than it does in person.  You WOULD NOT BELIEVE how many sellers hide the exterior flaws nor do they mention it.
Crinkle Paint         10   Amazing
Chrome                10
Chrome is PERFECT - Chrome was FILTHY - Brasso ROCKS!!!  Of course, it took me about an hour to get it looking like it does now, and you won't have to worry about this for years and years
Mechanics             9.5
EVERYTHING WORKS, and this doesn't happen most of the time with these Ultra's!!!! - It's not necessarily mechanical but the 7 was a little slow at first.  I think it was slightly bent and after I bent it back, I haven't had any problems.
I don't think this has a tab system.
BUT I CANNOT GUARANTEE THE TAB SYSTEMS, OR I WOULD HAVE TO RAISE MY PRICES.  MOST OF MY BUYERS DO NOT EVEN USE THE TAB SYSTEMS, AND THIS CAN BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SM4'S AND SM9'S THAT ALLOW YOU TO SET THE TABS ON THE KEYBOARD.  Please NOTE that the SM3's hardly ever, if ever have problems with the tabs even though they are not near as easy to set up like the SM9's.  IF THE TAB SYSTEM IS A DEAL BREAKER FOR YOU, CONTACT ME AND WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT THAT'S FAIR.
Quality of Machine    9
I just cannot give her a 10 because she's definitely a 10 for ultra portables, but she just doesn't compare to an SM3 or SM9.
Cleanliness           10
Dorothy is a clean as clean can get :)
Ribbon – All are New  10
This typewriter WILL NOT accept "universal" spools.  You will need to call Lanie at Ribbons Unlimited for replacement spools.  Plus, with the an ultra-portable, you'll want to keep a wet ribbon because the size of the typewriter does not allow it to get a lot of leverage
Backspace Key         10
Yeah, Dorothy can still back dat' thing back :)  Could be the best backspace key I've used, which is great because a mishit will probably need to be retyped.
Shifting Effort       10
I made some adjustments that's got her shifting AWESOME.  After you use Dorothy, it will keep this great shifting action if you KEEP IT IN SHIFT LOCK.  Shift lock brings the spring together because lowercase extends the spring and it assists the lift.  After it's lifted in the caps position, the spring is together and not stretching out at all.  You want to do this on the SM3 and SM4's also.  It's different for the basket shifters like the SM9.
Return Smoothness     10
I just erased A LOT as I explained Return Smoothness and blah, blah, blah, but Dorothy's return is amazing now.
Feet                  7.5
Actually, the feet are not that bad and you could probably get a casing/rubber washer to fix this, but the problem is the typewriter is so light it doesn't stay still.  IT WILL STAY STILL ON A TYPING MAT.
Case – Looks           9.5
GREAT looking case and the Japan Air along with the sticker on the bottom increase the nostalgia of this beauty
Case – Hinges/Lock Key?  9.5
The zipper is working GREAT/FINE but if you plan on zipping the case once a week, it will not last that long.  These zippers were awesome 50 years ago, but it's impossible to find a good zipper with the Olympia's and Olivetti's.
History of this model  9
in my opinion / More than I thought, and most of these writers had the Splendid, SF or Traveller in addition to another typewriter -  Anthony Burgess, Jackie Collins, Julio Cortazar (Traveller), Lawrence Durrell, Ian Fleming (SF), Rene Goscinny (SF), Peter Handke (Traveller), Ernst Junger (Traveller), Clarice Lipspector (SF), Morrissey (Traveller), Red Smith (SF), Hunter Thompson (SF),  and more I'm quite sure
Pica or Elite         Pica No. 12 Type Style - 10 Pitch (10 Characters per Inch, and this is very confusing because Elite usually stands for 12 Characters per inch)
* Snappy
, to me, is how fast the hammer hits the paper and goes back down, which is VERY important for someone that types 40-50 WPM or more.  Also, more important for those who use all their fingers.
* Quality of Machine
– This is based on how expensive was the machine at the time (A Mercedes (Olympia) costed more than a Chevy (Royal) or Ford (Smith-Corona)) – Note that the Silent Super is more like a Loaded Lincoln, in my opinion if it was cared for
* Cleanliness
is how I’m comparing this machine to other decent typewriters on eBay. (12 would mean as clean as a restored one)
* History
– What authors used a typewriter like this one?
*** ALSO, I am comparing this particular to all the Smith Corona’s, Hermes, Royal’s, Facit’s, Olivetti’s, and some supposed high quality German typewriters I’ve used and done 200+ typing samples with
PRICING
My thoughts on pricing - 0 for this Tan and Maroon Splendid 33 typewriter if it was absolutely beyond perfect
Minus -
-
Even though you can't really see it, I'll take off for the ding
Minus - - For the keys getting stuck on me after my first cleaning.  I let Dorothy sit for a day, and the keys were not sticking.
Minus - - Effort to get a mark, which will improve with use
Plus - {{detail_product_description}}  -  EVERYTHING WORKS ON THIS MACHINE, WHICH IS RARE ON THESE ULTRA-PORTABLES
Plus - {{detail_product_description}}  -  This machine is actually very rare because most all Splendid's have a stamp below Olympia but the 57's do not.  It took me a good while to figure out what she was.
PRICING SUMMARY
For what I do, I should be charging between an estate sale typewriter and a restored model.  Usually, a decent tan Olympia Splendid 33 goes for 5 plus shipping and a restored one goes for 0 plus shipping.  So, my price at 0 is right in between...
Below is the same for all my listings
This is a summary of what I do for each typewriter I sell:
- Select the best typewriters for writing from my research and my personal experience of trying MANY different typewriters that were used by famous writers
- Make sure all the functions are working properly and if it’s something difficult, I take it to a repair professional.
- Clean and dust typewriter along with using a cleaner that gets the WD40 oils out that are BAD for typewriters and leaves an extremely light protectant against rust, etc. in the future (Nu-Trol Control Cleaner for Electronics (Phoenix Typewriters swears by it)
- Clean out typebars, as you can see in the picture, and this is why my typing samples look so good.  I do clean out the typebars BEFORE I do the typing sample.  So, you’ll see some black on the typebars when your machine arrives
- Supply a wet cotton ribbon from Ribbons Unlimited ( Value)
- Make sure that the capital and lowercase letters are aligned and hitting the platen where they should be
- Clean out the typewriter case and will often make small repairs and/or reinforcements if needed
- Check and flush out the encasement if needed so that your typewriter returns smoothly/quietly or I note and reduce the price
- Make sure the rubber feet are acceptable and will use a rubber rejuvenator for the feet and also a platen rejuvenator if needed
- Your return shipping is covered by me if the typewriter is not working like I explain in the writing sample (I will not pay for repairs, see note below)
- Polish chrome parts and compound wax typewriters with smooth finishes.
- Carefully pack your typewriter in a custom-sized box and will secure the carriage to avoid shipping damage.
- Will usually mail/ship out the same day if you buy before 11:00 am and can sometimes after but will definitely mail the following day at no extra cost.  I put 1 day to make sure I can follow through.
- Please note that shipping the typewriter properly is the most important factor of buying a typewriter in my opinion. You have to lock the carriage, stuff the basket with bubble wrap, engage the shift lock key, and shrink wrap the carriage so it will not move AT ALL. Otherwise, you will have escapement problems causing the typewriter to make a grinding sound when you make your rewarding carriage return to your next line to your next page without distractions!!!
Also, your typewriter will come in a new custom-sized box to ensure its typing for you like it’s been typing for me.
If this is your first typewriter purchase, it’s going to take a little while to get used to snapping your fingers instead of the tapping we have done for years on a computer keyboard.  You certainly do not have to buy my typewriter, but I would strongly suggest that you buy one that is working really, really well.  The first typewriter I bought was a piece of crap because I was in grad school without any money.  I was done with typewriting until I saw Tom Hanks talking about the Hermes 2000, Olympia SM3, and the Smith Corona 5 series.  I bit the bullet and got a decent Hermes 2000 (like Tom did) and have been hooked ever since.  That Hermes worked great, and I got a Smith Corona 5 series Sterling that worked okay but required more finger strength to get a mark.  However, if you plan on using your typewriter, I highly recommend the Olympia SM9 over the SM3 because it has a basket shift making is a lot better on your pinkies.  Plus, the platen is going to be 10+ years newer.
Happy Typing,
KBtyperunner... Growing Typewriting One Typewriter at a Time...
NOTE:
If your typewriter is damaged from shipping or is not performing like it was when it left my home, I will pay to have the typewriter shipped back so you are not out a penny. I cannot contribute to an adjustment or improvement from a professional repair shop. You are getting charged hundreds less than typewriters in their shops, and these professionals are likely to find something that doesn’t meet their high standards, hence their rightfully higher priced machines. If this is the case and if you decide to pay in order to get the adjustments, etc., you will still save hundreds and have an even better typewriter for decades to come.
NOTE TWO: IF YOUR TYPEWRITER ARRIVES IN THE CONDITION AS DESCRIBED AND YOU SIMPLY DO NOT LIKE IT, I WILL ACCEPT THE RETURN, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY SHIPPING BOTH WAYS