Most consider the standard Oliver models to be Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These models have 28 keys and were manufactured primarily for the U.S. market. Despite its limited production run, the Oliver No. 1 was the standard model on the market during its time. In addition, the Oliver No. 15 was the standard British Oliver model when the company was relocated to Britain. Oliver Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were also sold in limited quantities in Europe. Versions of these models, mostly nickel-plated, were sold in Latin America.
Most consider the standard Oliver models to be Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These models have 28 keys and were manufactured primarily for the U.S. market. Despite its limited production run, the Oliver No. 1 was the standard model on the market during its time. In addition, the Oliver No. 15 was the standard British Oliver model when the company was relocated to Britain. Oliver Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were also sold in limited quantities in Europe. Versions of these models, mostly nickel-plated, were sold in Latin America.
Most consider the standard Oliver models to be Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These models have 28 keys and were manufactured primarily for the U.S. market. Despite its limited production run, the Oliver No. 1 was the standard model on the market during its time. In addition, the Oliver No. 15 was the standard British Oliver model when the company was relocated to Britain. Oliver Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were also sold in limited quantities in Europe. Versions of these models, mostly nickel-plated, were sold in Latin America.
The Oliver Nos. 3 and 4 have casting letters on the underside of the frame. It appears the order each casting was introduced for the No. 3 is D, F, G, D (updated), and B. Note that multiple casting were used at once so there is some overlap. The Oliver No. 4 started with E and then went to A, possibly followed by C.
Most consider the standard Oliver models to be Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These models have 28 keys and were manufactured primarily for the U.S. market. Despite its limited production run, the Oliver No. 1 was the standard model on the market during its time. In addition, the Oliver No. 15 was the standard British Oliver model when the company was relocated to Britain. Oliver Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were also sold in limited quantities in Europe. Versions of these models, mostly nickel-plated, were sold in Latin America.
Most consider the standard Oliver models to be Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These models have 28 keys and were manufactured primarily for the U.S. market. Despite its limited production run, the Oliver No. 1 was the standard model on the market during its time. In addition, the Oliver No. 15 was the standard British Oliver model when the company was relocated to Britain. Oliver Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were also sold in limited quantities in Europe. Versions of these models, mostly nickel-plated, were sold in Latin America.
Most consider the standard Oliver models to be Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These models have 28 keys and were manufactured primarily for the U.S. market. Despite its limited production run, the Oliver No. 1 was the standard model on the market during its time. In addition, the Oliver No. 15 was the standard British Oliver model when the company was relocated to Britain. Oliver Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were also sold in limited quantities in Europe. Versions of these models, mostly nickel-plated, were sold in Latin America.
Some Oliver No. 9 machines have a variant keyboard with the keys staggered differently. Traditionally, from left to right, the keys protrude from the top row, the bottow row, and then the middle row. The alternate keyboard staggers in order from the top row, the middle row, and then the bottom row. Some of the symbols and other characters were rearranged on the alternate keyboard. The alternate keyboard features a key with a period in all three positions (regular, CAP, and FIG). This means the typist does not have to shift for a period as they do using the standard Oliver keyboard. This alternate keyboard is also found on some Oliver No. 11 machines.
Most consider the standard Oliver models to be Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These models have 28 keys and were manufactured primarily for the U.S. market. Despite its limited production run, the Oliver No. 1 was the standard model on the market during its time. In addition, the Oliver No. 15 was the standard British Oliver model when the company was relocated to Britain. Oliver Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were also sold in limited quantities in Europe. Versions of these models, mostly nickel-plated, were sold in Latin America.
Most consider the standard Oliver models to be Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These models have 28 keys and were manufactured primarily for the U.S. market. Despite its limited production run, the Oliver No. 1 was the standard model on the market during its time. In addition, the Oliver No. 15 was the standard British Oliver model when the company was relocated to Britain. Oliver Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were also sold in limited quantities in Europe. Versions of these models, mostly nickel-plated, were sold in Latin America.
Oliver Nos. 2, 3, and 4 were distributed throughout Europe by Fabrik Stolzenberg (Stolzenberg Factory). They were based in Oos Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with subsidiaries in Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne. Fabrik Stolzenberg sold the Oliver No. 2 as the Oliver Monopol-Stolzenberg. This name initially carried over to the Oliver No. 3. Sometime between serial numbers 55756 and 89075, the "Monopol" was dropped and the Oliver 3 machines were branded as "Stolzenberg". Once the Oliver No. 4 was introduced 1904, Fabrik Stolzenberg sold it as the Oliver Stolzenberg No. 4.
Oliver Nos. 2, 3, and 4 were distributed throughout Europe by Fabrik Stolzenberg (Stolzenberg Factory). They were based in Oos Baden-Baden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with subsidiaries in Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne. Fabrik Stolzenberg sold the Oliver No. 2 as the Oliver Monopol-Stolzenberg. This name initially carried over to the Oliver No. 3. Sometime between serial numbers 55756 and 89075, the "Monopol" was dropped and the Oliver 3 machines were branded as "Stolzenberg". Once the Oliver No. 4 was introduced 1904, Fabrik Stolzenberg sold it as the Oliver Stolzenberg No. 4.
The Linotype Company of Montreal, also known as the Canadian Oliver Typewriter Company, manufactured versions of the Oliver Nos. 2 and 3 for sale in Canada and South America. Robert Messenger has a great article about the Canadian Olivers on ozTypewriter. Some Canadian No. 3 machines have vertically-mounted ribbon spools. The side panels of the Canadian Oliver No. 3 have "OLIVER" displayed in a more generic text than the standard No. 3. The Canadian No. 3 paper tables display "The Canadian Oliver Typewriter - Montreal". The Canadian Olivers have their own serial number scheme. It is unknown how many were made or where the serial numbers begin.
The Linotype Company of Montreal, also known as the Canadian Oliver Typewriter Company, manufactured versions of the Oliver Nos. 2 and 3 for sale in Canada and South America. Robert Messenger has a great article about the Canadian Olivers on ozTypewriter. Some Canadian No. 3 machines have vertically-mounted ribbon spools. The side panels of the Canadian Oliver No. 3 have "OLIVER" displayed in a more generic text than the standard No. 3. The Canadian No. 3 paper tables display "The Canadian Oliver Typewriter - Montreal". The Canadian Olivers have their own serial number scheme. It is unknown how many were made or where the serial numbers begin.
Oliver Nos. 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 are 32-key versions of their respective preceding odd-numbered model. These models were not sold in the United States. Instead, they were sold throughout Europe. The No. 6 was also nickel-plated for Latin America. All of these models were produced in much lower quantities than their odd-numbered counterparts. However, the quantities are correlated, meaning if the odd-numbered model was produced in greater numbers, then so was the even-numbered model.
Oliver Nos. 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 are 32-key versions of their respective preceding odd-numbered model. These models were not sold in the United States. Instead, they were sold throughout Europe. The No. 6 was also nickel-plated for Latin America. All of these models were produced in much lower quantities than their odd-numbered counterparts. However, the quantities are correlated, meaning if the odd-numbered model was produced in greater numbers, then so was the even-numbered model.
The Oliver Nos. 3 and 4 have casting letters on the underside of the frame. It appears the order each casting was introduced for the No. 4 is E, a, and possibly followed by C. Note that multiple castings were used at once so there is some overlap. The No. 3 casting number order is D, F, G, D (updated), and B.
Oliver Nos. 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 are 32-key versions of their respective preceding odd-numbered model. These models were not sold in the United States. Instead, they were sold throughout Europe. The No. 6 was also nickel-plated for Latin America. All of these models were produced in much lower quantities than their odd-numbered counterparts. However, the quantities are correlated, meaning if the odd-numbered model was produced in greater numbers, then so was the even-numbered model.
Oliver Nos. 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 are 32-key versions of their respective preceding odd-numbered model. These models were not sold in the United States. Instead, they were sold throughout Europe. The No. 6 was also nickel-plated for Latin America. All of these models were produced in much lower quantities than their odd-numbered counterparts. However, the quantities are correlated, meaning if the odd-numbered model was produced in greater numbers, then so was the even-numbered model.
Oliver Nos. 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 are 32-key versions of their respective preceding odd-numbered model. These models were not sold in the United States. Instead, they were sold throughout Europe. The No. 6 was also nickel-plated for Latin America. All of these models were produced in much lower quantities than their odd-numbered counterparts. However, the quantities are correlated, meaning if the odd-numbered model was produced in greater numbers, then so was the even-numbered model.
Oliver Nos. 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 are 32-key versions of their respective preceding odd-numbered model. These models were not sold in the United States. Instead, they were sold throughout Europe. The No. 6 was also nickel-plated for Latin America. All of these models were produced in much lower quantities than their odd-numbered counterparts. However, the quantities are correlated, meaning if the odd-numbered model was produced in greater numbers, then so was the even-numbered model.
Oliver Nos. 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 are 32-key versions of their respective preceding odd-numbered model. These models were not sold in the United States. Instead, they were sold throughout Europe. The No. 6 was also nickel-plated for Latin America. All of these models were produced in much lower quantities than their odd-numbered counterparts. However, the quantities are correlated, meaning if the odd-numbered model was produced in greater numbers, then so was the even-numbered model.
The British Oliver Company rebranded a few European desktop machines as Olivers.
The British Oliver Company rebranded a few European desktop machines as Olivers.
The British Oliver Company rebranded a few European desktop machines as Olivers.
The British Oliver Company rebranded a few European desktop machines as Olivers.
The Oliver Typewriter Company manufatured nickel-plated Oliver models 3, 5, 6, and 7 for sale in Latin America. The No. L-10 is the nickel-plated version of the No. 9 and Nos. L-12 and L-13 are nickel-plated versions of the No. 11. There are also Latin American Nos. 3 and L-10 with the standard green finish. There are no known examples of nickel-plated Nos. 4, 8, 10, or 12. In Argentina, nickel-plated Olivers were marketed as the Revilo (Oliver spelled backwards) becasue the name Oliver was already trademarked. The only known Revilo models are Nos. 5 and 9.
The Oliver Typewriter Company manufatured nickel-plated Oliver models 3, 5, 6, and 7 for sale in Latin America. The No. L-10 is the nickel-plated version of the No. 9 and Nos. L-12 and L-13 are nickel-plated versions of the No. 11. There are also Latin American Nos. 3 and L-10 with the standard green finish. There are no known examples of nickel-plated Nos. 4, 8, 10, or 12. In Argentina, nickel-plated Olivers were marketed as the Revilo (Oliver spelled backwards) becasue the name Oliver was already trademarked. The only known Revilo models are Nos. 5 and 9.
The Oliver Typewriter Company manufatured nickel-plated Oliver models 3, 5, 6, and 7 for sale in Latin America. The No. L-10 is the nickel-plated version of the No. 9 and Nos. L-12 and L-13 are nickel-plated versions of the No. 11. There are also Latin American Nos. 3 and L-10 with the standard green finish. There are no known examples of nickel-plated Nos. 4, 8, 10, or 12. In Argentina, nickel-plated Olivers were marketed as the Revilo (Oliver spelled backwards) becasue the name Oliver was already trademarked. The only known Revilo models are Nos. 5 and 9.
Some No. L-10 machines were given the standard style decal on the front while others have a red plaque.
Most consider the standard Oliver models to be Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. These models have 28 keys and were manufactured primarily for the U.S. market. Despite its limited production run, the Oliver No. 1 was the standard model on the market during its time. In addition, the Oliver No. 15 was the standard British Oliver model when the company was relocated to Britain. Oliver Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 were also sold in limited quantities in Europe. Versions of these models, mostly nickel-plated, were sold in Latin America.
The Oliver Typewriter Company manufatured nickel-plated Oliver models 3, 5, 6, and 7 for sale in Latin America. The No. L-10 is the nickel-plated version of the No. 9 and Nos. L-12 and L-13 are nickel-plated versions of the No. 11. There are also Latin American Nos. 3 and L-10 with the standard green finish. There are no known examples of nickel-plated Nos. 4, 8, 10, or 12. In Argentina, nickel-plated Olivers were marketed as the Revilo (Oliver spelled backwards) becasue the name Oliver was already trademarked. The only known Revilo models are Nos. 5 and 9.
Oliver Nos. L-12 and L-13 machines have plaques on the front and back of the machine which list their respective distributors.
The Oliver Typewriter Company manufatured nickel-plated Oliver models 3, 5, 6, and 7 for sale in Latin America. The No. L-10 is the nickel-plated version of the No. 9 and Nos. L-12 and L-13 are nickel-plated versions of the No. 11. There are also Latin American Nos. 3 and L-10 with the standard green finish. There are no known examples of nickel-plated Nos. 4, 8, 10, or 12. In Argentina, nickel-plated Olivers were marketed as the Revilo (Oliver spelled backwards) becasue the name Oliver was already trademarked. The only known Revilo models are Nos. 5 and 9.
From the 1930s through the 1950s, the British Oliver Company rebranded many different European portables as Olivers.
From the 1930s through the 1950s, the British Oliver Company rebranded many different European portables as Olivers.
The first portables branded with the Oliver name were manufactured in two locations by two different companies. One of these manufacturers was Fortuna Buromaschinen GmbH of Berlin, Germany. This company was formerly known as Stolzenberg-Fortuna, which used to distrubute Olivers in Germany as the Monopol-Stolzenberg and Stolzenberg. The other company that manufactured these early Oliver portables was known simply as Oliver Typewriter (Italy) Ltd., which was a registered corporation of Italy in 1930.
Between serial numbers 80000 and 90000, Oliver Typewriter (Italy) introduced a couple new body styles. For more information on the various name variants produced, see Oliver SIM MAS by typewriters.ch.
From the 1930s through the 1950s, the British Oliver Company rebranded many different European portables as Olivers.
From the 1930s through the 1950s, the British Oliver Company rebranded many different European portables as Olivers.
This body style was sold under the names Patria, Japy, and Voss Privat before it was branded by Oliver as the Oliver Courier. In Canada, Oliver marketed it as "Eaton's" and "Simpson's" through their respective department stores. All known Simpson's machines have a dark green crinkle finish. Oliver also sold this model as the "Conquerer".
There are two distinct styles of Oliver Courier. One style displays "Oliver Courier" on a recessed badge on the right-hand side of the cover. The other style displays the name centered on the cover. Similarly, the Simpson's variant also has two styles. One displays "Simpson's" on a badge on the right-hand side of the cover while the other has a decal centered on the cover.
From the 1930s through the 1950s, the British Oliver Company rebranded many different European portables as Olivers.
At first glance, it appears to be an Oliver No. 2. But you notice the odd side handles, and then you see the paper table's elegant decal- it reads WOODSTOCK. This machine has no correlation to the eponymous machines manufactured by the Woodstock Typewriter Company. This Woodstock was manufactured in 1898 by the Oliver Typewriter Company.
The Woodstock was discussed at meetings concerning the Detroit Board of Education's purchase of typewriters for high schools. This group of meetings lasted from September 1898 to January 1899. These meetings were discussed in a pamphlet known as the "Battle of Detroit". This pamphlet was published by the Linotype Company of Montreal, Canada, which was also known as the Canadian Oliver Typewriter Company. According to the pamphlet, a certain Inspector Marr, presumably a member of the Board of Education, showed the committee formed to purchase typewriters an advertisement for the Woodstock in the Fall-Winter 1898-1899 Montgomery Ward Catalogue No. 64 (page 245), apparently in order to question the fairness of the price at which Oliver typewriters had been offered to the Board. W. A. Waterbury, the manager of the Oliver Typewriter Company, explained that the Woodstock was "an unguaranteed, cheap machine of which nineteen were all that were ever made". Waterbury stated, "We have a circular now in print for circulation offering $5,000 for twenty Woodstock typewriters", reinforcing the fact only nineteen were manufactured. He also stated that the Woodstock was manufactured strictly for sale to large department stores, and all nineteen machines were sold to Montgomery Ward and Company, of Chicago. They contracted for the second grade machines which were not to be sold for under $60. The Oliver Typewriter Company stopped manufacture of the Woodstock typewriter after it had been on the market for less than ten months. It is unknown how many machines Montgomery Ward sold.
No machines were known to have survived until a Woodstock with a serial number of 1009, presumably the ninth machine produced, was listed on eBay. I was so astounded that such a rare machine existed that I had to bid on it, and I won!
After conversing with Bobbie, the eBay seller, I learned that this machine made its way into a house owned by a self-proclaimed hoarder named Jim H. near Lancaster, California. She claims Jim does not know where he acquired most of his things, but he would shop at places such as flea markets, Goodwill, and auctions. The Woodstock came out of a house Jim owned for thirty years and never lived in; he used it just for storage. When Bobbie bought the machine, she placed it in her storage with initial intentions of selling it at her booth in an antique shop for $40! However, she researched the machine first, and after finding no information on this Woodstock, she listed it on eBay, figuring it would bring a couple hundred dollars.
Anyway, the machine arrived safe and sound. After examining the machine in detail, I have concluded that the Woodstock is mechanically identical to early Oliver No. 2 machines.1 The major difference between the Woodstock and the Oliver No. 2, aside from the Woodstock branding, is the base. The Woodstock base has altered side handles and, rather than curving inward, the back of the base mirrors the curves made by the front of the base. The base is currently painted black, although it shows runs and has been touched up in a few places. Even the type guards have been painted black, some of which has chipped off, revealing a dark yellow color. The raised parts of the side panels are nickel-plated, while the backgrounds are black.
In my opinion, the Woodstock does not appear to be a second grade machine as W.A. Waterbury had described. I am hard-pressed to find a reason to render the Woodstock a cheaper Oliver No. 2 counterpart. The advertisement in the catalogue even stated that the Woodstock was “complete in a highly finished metal case with handle”. Unfortunately, such a case has yet to resurface. One can only hope a Woodstock in the original case may one day be discovered.
A. Greger & Co., a bicycle manufacturer in Vienna, Austria, produced the Oliver No. 3 rebranded as the Courier. This machine was also produced as the Jacobi for a German office equipment dealer in Munich. The name "Jacobi" was taken from A. Greger and Company's sewing machine division. The Czech variation of the Courier is the Jwic. Physical "production" of the Courier and variant machines ended in 1919; parts that were already manufactured were being assembled until 1927.
When the Oliver No. 5 was introduced in the U.S., the type guards of Courier/Jacobi/Jwic machines used the new Oliver No. 5 style. An updated model was produced beginning at serial number 13276/14094. The olive green paint was discontinued in favor of black paint. The Courier's paper table logo changed from "Courier" to "The Courier Typewriter". The ribbon reverse plaque changed to the style of Oliver No. 5 machines. When the backspacer was introduced on the Oliver No. 5, the Courier/Jacobi/Jwic machines also featured it.
The Oliver Typewriter (Sales) Company, Ltd. remodelled some Oliver No. 9 machines in the style of Oliver Nos. 11/15 (Earlier)/16 machines- black with gold pinstriping. Machines were still being remodelled after the name was changed to the Oliver Typewriter Manufacturing Company. Early Remodelled Olivers have the original Oliver No. 9 decal on the front while later ones were given a new decal that says "REMODELLED OLIVER".
The Remodelled Olivers were given new serial numbers in place of the old ones on the frames of the machines starting at RM10001. The new numbers have the prefix "RM" meaning "Remodelled". The old numbers on the carriages were removed without a new number in place.
The Unknown Oliver, by Darryl Rehr
ETCetera No. 6, pages 1 and 4
A trade catalogue from around 1899 (Peter Weil Archives) offers for sale a modified Oliver No. 2 known as the Oliver Way-billing Typewriter. This machine has a tabulator attached to the side. This tabulator was later advertised as a separate attachment for sale in Oliver No. 3 brochures.
A. Greger & Co., a bicycle manufacturer in Vienna, Austria, produced the Oliver No. 3 rebranded as the Courier. This machine was also produced as the Jacobi for a German office equipment dealer in Munich. The name "Jacobi" was taken from A. Greger and Company's sewing machine division. The Czech variation of the Courier is the Jwic. Physical "production" of the Courier and variant machines ended in 1919; parts that were already manufactured were being assembled until 1927.
When the Oliver No. 5 was introduced in the U.S., the type guards of Courier/Jacobi/Jwic machines used the new Oliver No. 5 style. An updated model was produced beginning at serial number 13276/14094. The olive green paint was discontinued in favor of black paint. The Courier's paper table logo changed from "Courier" to "The Courier Typewriter". The ribbon reverse plaque changed to the style of Oliver No. 5 machines. When the backspacer was introduced on the Oliver No. 5, the Courier/Jacobi/Jwic machines also featured it.
