Saturday 19 May 2012

AEG Olympia Traveller de Luxe S

Still about the badge?
Functional, businesslike aesthetic

The AEG has a bigger footprint
Twins under the hood







Almost forgot - it came with an illustrated manual - available here to download [4Mb pdf]

21 comments:

  1. Something about this machine is very compelling -- but I couldn't tell you what it is, exactly!

    Perhaps it is the distinctive, clean lines of its styling, as well as the extremely readable, even typeface. Very good find!

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    1. There's something almost Olivetti about the side view - as if it was drawn with a broad-nibbed marker pen. The plastic trim is heat welded to the metal end plate. My guess is that they were trying to keep the body fabrication as simple as possible. It reminds me of folded cardboard.

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  2. Looks like new! But what's the difference between using a 0 or an O?

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    1. Not much difference by the look of it. Except that it sits next to the 9, which helps.

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  3. Looks like a very wonderful machine.

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  4. Good looking little machine, and it sure types nicely.

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  5. I've got one of these and really love it. For a traveling machine, it's a great compromise between ultrasmall and ultralight and a full sized portable. Thanks for sharing! Richard K/Texas

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  6. thanks for the post! I've got one of these...was only missing the manual after digging it out after many years...sweet!

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  7. Bought one of these in really good condition yesterday at a collectors fair for £12 - I'm really pleased with it and more so when I found your blog and the manual! Thanks for posting it. Mine isn't an S though - as far as I can see the only difference it the tab key.

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  8. I just got a Traveller two days ago - $5.00 US, I was thrilled! It types very nicely for such a little thing.
    Do you know where to find the serial #, I can't see one anywhere? Thanks ! Don L

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    1. Hi Don, I gave both the Travelers I had away because they are nice reliable typewriters. If the s/n is in the same place as the slightly older round bodied SF - on right, above - if you let the carriage go about 3 " to the left you'll be able to see the bell. Stamped onto the aluminium frame below it is the number. Then you can look up the date here.

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    2. Thanks so much for the info, I'll check!

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    3. You accidentally scanned page 3 twice.
      Nick

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  9. On the ones I have come across, including the two above, you simply lock the carriage with the rear l/h lever and push the carriage return lever down against a little resistance - but not much.

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  10. I had this one when I was a child. My parents brought it for me as I liked to write my own stories, and also because at school it was prefearable to deliver essays typed than handwritten. I still have my machine, even if I don't use it. Works fine. The only difference is that mine includes the "Ñ" character, as I'm Spanish. I have very nice memories of using it, many of my first fiction tales, including interactive fiction, were written with this machine. Nice post. Thanks!

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  11. I'm trying to find out how to lower the line space lever so I can put on the cover

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    1. I see the answer in the post above. It works. I was afraid to push that hard

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  12. Hello. I'm currently trying to buy one like yours for my 5y old who wants to start writing. Where can I get the ink for it? Any advice welcome. We're in ireland.

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  13. Hello. I'm currently trying to buy one like yours for my 5y old who wants to start writing. Where can I get the ink for it? Any advice welcome. We're in ireland.

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    1. Ribbons are available on ebay for around £5 - they are all the same but the spools are different so whatever you get, use the spools that come with your machine. For a 5 year old, the fact that this machine has a solid base is a must. Many are open and have to be used on desks but kids like to cradle them in their lap. Alternatives are Brother Deluxe, Olivetti Lettera 32 or 22, a Silver Reed Silverette or an Adler Tippa. Many machines get damaged in shipping, so local pick-up is best.

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  14. Just got one of these to add to my small collection. It's serial number begins with *5 737 so I can't look up the year. I guess it's 1980's? Anyway, this thing is FAST. It has a kind of short stroke which lets you type really rapidly, even faster than my Facit Privat. Sincerely impressed !

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