-40%
1957 Olympia SM3 "Samantha Jones" The Uncensored Version - A Must Read - *Value!
$ 139.91
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Short Story:If you are seeking a typewriter to type here and there and really want a GREAT looking green SM3, Samantha Jones is for you…
Samantha Jones’ Story:
Before I really get going, you ought to check out KB's feedback and other typewriter he has for sale if I'm too much for you...
And, I thought 2020 was a weird year… Gotta say that 2021 is A LOT weirder since KB is selling ME, Samantha Jones, on the cheap… Does he not understand how I’ll help your writing and train you in ways that you can only imagine??? Well, I just that I’m finally ageing but only slightly…
So, here’s the deal about me… KB got a hold of me, and thought I was going to be a near mint. So, he’s doing the typing sample, which he would have missed my problem of not typing the top of the first capital letter after typing in lowercase.
Was just reading what KB and I typed, and he was getting pretty fresh… Hope I didn’t offend anyone, but I’m assuming you’re a mature adult if you are seeking a manual typewriter. Speaking of adult stuff, there’s all kinds of stuff on eBay, but I just like going to The Pleasure Chest on 7
th
Ave in the West Village…
Okay… I’m looking for someone with some strength compared to the strength you’ll need for an SM9, which isn’t a ton. KB is so spoiled on these SM9 women in their 40’s that don’t like it as rough like I do since I’m 64 years ago, and my platen just ain’t what it used to be. So, I take a little effort but am worth it.
Now – I can give you a rewarding return like you won’t believe. As your typing to the end of the line and when I ding (loudly), take my return lever and throw me to next line. You’ll think of being with me, and that will certainly fire you up to finish your writing moment…
KB took a pic about what I do with the CAPS or just pull my ribbon vibrator to red and we’ll be ready if you can handle me…
I’m getting too hot to continue… Here’s KB…
KB here…
WOW, JUST WOW
– So glad they sell adult toys on this site because I forgot just how fresh Samantha can get…
So, she has some personality and looks GREAT on the table and works just fine. I wouldn’t suggest the writing marathon with her because you’ll tire out a lot quicker than the 40 year old’s I have…
Samantha was serious when she was talking about her return action. I may have to type another line or two before she finds a great home where people can see how this 64-year-old machine still has the looks, just like Samantha
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 8
It is what it is - I hate to use her name, but I'm not going to sell many more SM3's because the SM9's are so much better
Ease to get mark 8
Like she said, she likes it hard. I'm being tough with the 8 because it's easier to get a mark with her than 95% of the typewriters on eBay. I don't want to get expectations to high - This is a GREAT typewriter for short session and is at a GREAT price compared to my other machines
Shifting Action 9
No problems shifting her as she shifts GREAT for an SM9
How Snappy is it 8
She is probably a 9.5 but because the ribbon vibrator goes all the way up to get a full mark. It's not snappy like the SM9's I have.
Exterior Condition 9
She's a 10, but I have to take off a point for the texture spots on the top that I didn't notice much when typing with her
Chrome on Typewriter 10
Just gorgeous and I have to admit that the materials used on the SM3's might have been a little better than the 1970's SM9's because they were trying to keep the typewriters affordable in the 70's.
Mechanics 9
Age caught up with Samantha in some ways but definitely not in others, Everything is in tip-top shape with the exceptions we talked about - 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. The chrome is UNBELIEVABLE
Cleanliness (Dirtiness) 10
She's dirty and Happy :)
Ribbon – All are New 11
Just got a new shipment from Ribbon Unlimited, and these ribbons are especially wet. Also, they have a bigger rivet to help the mechanism change directions.
Backspace Key 9
Works great
Return Smoothness 12
As you already know, there's nothing like her...
Feet 10
Of course, she's gonna have some great feet
Case – Looks 9
Inside is pristine and the outside is good, not great
Case – Hinges/Lock Key? 9
No key for the lock but works better that 95% of SM3 cases like this one
History of this model 12
Woody Allen and MANY OTHERS - The largest group of famous writers used this typewriter in my opinion... I'll update when I find my list again because I haven't been listing many SM3's because the SM9's usually work SO MUCH better for someone that's going to USE it. And, please don't buy Sarah unless you are going to use her because she's really special.
Pica or Elite Olympia Pica 10 Pitch/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 - 0 for a mint/new Green 1957 SM3 and Case
Minus – Exterior Condition - There's a mark on the right side of her and not to mention where Vito rubbed off some of her texture on her top :)
Minus - Case could be better
Minus - Having to set the ribbon vibrator to go all the way up
Minus - Not the easiest to get a good mark, and you can see she's not as dark as the others
Minus - The smearing from the new ribbon, which will go away with use.
Minus - I'm just looking for a great home for Samantha
Plus - {{detail_product_description}} - This is one of the last SM3's I'm going to sell after the three I have as of 7/27/21. The SM9's just work so much better. If I get a decent deal on a rare SM3, I might sell another one.
Comments about the pricing
I think this is a fair price for a beautiful working (right out of the box) typewriter and you do as well.
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