1970 Olympia Script/Cursive SM9 / I'm Norah and Flawless - Read About Me - MINT!

Description

Short Story
…
If you are seeking a typewriter that’s practically new (looks and function), Norah is one for you…
Norah’s Story
…
The hell with Rolling Stone magazine…  I’ve ever had my picture on Rolling Stone, but I did have Norah Jones (my name) on the lower left.  Also, I was on the cover on a German edition in 2004…
KB has made my life feel meaningful when he found me last week.  It’s been so good to get out of the dark and back to the light.  As KB was typing my story with my textured keys, he was also listening to my 2
nd
LP (Vinyl) and my story simply flowed out of him.  Now, he’s using his computer to type more about me, and it’s taking him FOREVER.  UNNECESSARY Interruption after interruption is making me wonder if he’s EVER going to list me.  I told KB that he should do the writing that’s not boilerplate on the typewriter, add the stuff at the bottom and be done with it…
So, this is another story where the typewriter isn’t talked about that much because I’m about perfect.  Nothing to talk about – Not a fleck in the paint, all my functions work. I’m powerful – KB’s had a couple more powerful in the past, but I will go against those machines any day…
I’m almost a bit confusing to him because he actually like to take money off the “MINT” price so he doesn’t have to worry about the expectations he sets.  So, here I am…
It’s been great telling you a little bit about me, and I’m gonna hand it over the KB now…
KB Here…
Yep, the former owner of Norah reused a box that didn't look the best but when I saw the case, I was in love.  THEN, I noticed that Norah has a #75 Script typeface with an 11 pitch (11 characters per inch).  AND, with her soft platen and wet cotton ribbon, her letters simply jumped off the page.  I'm probably wrong, but I don't think Norah was even on the cover of Rolling Stone in the USA.  So, I attempted to have a little fun with that.
I WILL PAY shipping back and forth 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 I pay for shipping back and forth since it's expensive and will cause me to raise my prices.
To Save Time for you reading through my typewriters I think by rating (based on the 100’s of typewriters I’ve used in the past) what I look for in a typewriter geared for a writer is the best way to get a lot of information quickly.  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/Review
Rating Scale – 1 Terrible, 5 Good, 10 GREAT / Approximately on 4/15/20 I stopped giving typewriter scores higher than 10 to avoid confusion.  Please understand that I'm comparing my typewriter to ALL manual typewriters on eBay in which most are straight from estate sales and the buyer is afraid to clean, etc. because of possibly doing damage to the typewriter
Platen and Rollers    10.5
Platen really grabs the paper and is quite soft...
Ease to get mark      11
I'm not supposed to give more than a 10, but she's worthy
How Snappy is it      10
Yes, she's snappy, but I hardly made a mistake.  This is great for me because I just X out the mistakes/mistype
Exterior Condition     11    I chose the name, Norah, because her color is a soft white like her songs, and I actually had some Norah playing that morning on my turntable
Mechanics             11
These 1970's machines are often good and even better after I clean them up and make adjustments.   Norah lines up everything perfect…
Tabs are working for me as I did test this typewriter and used the tabs for my paragraphs,
BUT I CANNOT GUARANTEE THE TAB SYSTEMS, OR I WOULD HAVE TO RAISE MY PRICES.  If it’s a deal breaker, please contact me.
Quality of Machine    11
The quality of the Olympias are unparalleled, especially after being check through and cleaned out.  And, in the late 60's, the other typewriters were starting to use much cheaper materials, but Olympia wasn't doing that under the 80's.  Probably a buy-out because they seem to have had Brother in Japan make their typewriters since that's where they were made
Cleanliness           10
She's as clean as it gets
Ribbon – All are New  11
Just got a new shipment from ribbons unlimited, and these ribbons are especially wet.  Also, they have a bigger rivet to help the mechanism change directions.
Backspace Key         10
Backspace works GREAT, but I didn't have to use it much because I was getting really good marks without having to re-type the letter.
Return Smoothness     10
I could barely hear Norah whisper in my ear on the return, and it was GREAT
Feet                  11
I swear that her feet are NEW
Case – Looks          11
Again, the case didn't look great when it arrived, but his case is as good as it gets.
Case – Hinges/Lock Key?  10
Case is in MINT shape
- If you want a 1970 SM9 case that will protect her fine but won't look that great, I can knock off since you probably won't use the case anyway.
ALSO, if you are just going to buy her for your collection and not sure her, please don't buy Norah because she deserves and needs to be used
History of this model  11
Kurt Vonnegut, Neal Simon, Sam Shepard, Tennessee Williams (SM8), Harlan Ellison, Jon Cleary, J.G. Ballard, Marguerite Yourcenar, and Paul Auster wrote a book about his Olympia…
Pica or Elite        Olympia #75 Script (11 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 mainly 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 - 5 for a mint 1970 SM9 Script Typewriter and Case (I've seen a lot of SM3's that are script and a fair amount of 1968 and 1969 SM9's but don't remember seeing a modern 1970-1978 SM9 that's script.  This had to be a custom order.
Minus – She is mint, and I figure I'd take off if there's something I missed and another since there is a small place in front of the right knob where the metal wore against the clear plastic card holder (see pic)
Plus -  {{detail_product_description}} - Norah will be ready to play right out of the box!!!
Comments about the pricing
For what I do, I should be charging between an estate sale typewriter and a restored model and probably more towards the restored model end since I've cleaned/serviced and sold over 250 typewriters.  Usually, a decent script Olympia SM9 goes for 0+ and shipping and a restored one goes for 0 plus shipping.  So, my price at 0 is fair since this typewriter performs at the restored level, in my opinion.
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
- 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.
- Take off the clear card holder that's on the right and left side of where the typehead hits the paper and clean along with making adjustments if needed
- 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 must 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