Machine Details
Olympia
Report de Luxe
c1976
46-0103097
Available for Acquisition
Pica, 10cpi
Segment
QWERTY
Portable
Manual Electric
11"
15.3 × 14 × 5.5"
≈20 lbs.
Yes
Machine Description
The Olympia Report de Luxe (also known as the SKE) is a highly regarded vintage electric portable typewriter manufactured by the German company Olympia in the 1970s. Known for its excellent craftsmanship, sturdy metal build, and smooth electric typing feel, it remains a favorite among collectors and writers.
Key Features
- Electric Action: Features electrically powered typing keys, space bar, and an automatic carriage return.
- Portability: Unlike older, bulky desktop electrics, it was designed to be compact and includes a portable hard case.
- Reliability: Praised for its durability, this German-made machine is often celebrated for maintaining solid mechanics and rubber components over time.
- Pop Culture: The machine holds a special place in movie history, famously featured as the typewriter of choice for characters in the classic 90s film You’ve Got Mail.
- Vertical Space Key: advances the paper one line without moving the carriage to the left margin. It acts like an isolated carriage return, allowing you to create a blank line or move down the page directly from your current horizontal typing position
Repeat Keys / “Report” Sound
Certain keys on the Olympia Report de Luxe (x, +, =, _, -),marked in red on the typewriter’s keyboard, will automatically repeat when the key is held down. This makes it easy & fast to underscore words, create forms for filling-in, x-ing out mistakes, etc.
There is a popular belief (not sure if it’s accurate) that the sound of these repeating keys give a gun shot-like (or even machine gun-like) sound that is the inspiration for “Report” in this machine’s name. In the included typing sound specimen, I’ve ended the typing sample by holding down the ‘x’ key for a short period of time. It does, indeed, sound a bit like a machine gun.
The Report de Luxe Typewriter Scene from YOU’VE GOT MAIL
Serial Number Location:
Stamped on the bottom of the frame, viewable through a small opening in the bottom of the machine. Serial Number Location Image
Features
- Special Characters ¢½¼ Half-space Vertical-space
- Tabulator
- Ribbon Selector Bichrome + Stencil
- Variable Line Spacing
- Margin Release
Condition Report
Provenance
Secondary B
Pre-2026: Carol F. of Pacific Palisades, CA
Related Resources
- Olympia Report de Luxes on the Typewriter Database
- "The Quiet Cult of the Olympia Report deLuxe Electric Typewriter" (By Wilson Rotham)
- Manual for a related Olympia SKE - Report Electric (via Richard Polt)
- An Owner's Video on his Report de Luxe (via DrCassette)
- An Owner's Video on his Report de Luxe (via ForgetfulCollector)
- Chris Aldrich's Post on his 1977 Olympia Report de Luxe
Type Specimen
