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Classic Typewriter

Circa 1960 Olivetti / Underwood Lettera 32 Vintage Typewriter in Case

Circa 1960 Olivetti / Underwood Lettera 32 Vintage Typewriter in Case

Regular price $644.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $644.00 USD
Sale Sold out
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Case

Order your machine today, and I’ll send out a beautiful specimen of this model in a few weeks.

Though you will not receive the exact machine shown in these pictures, you will get a beautifully working typewriter in similar (or better) condition.

There could be slight variations. The typeface will be either 12cpi or 10 cpi (10 or 12 pt font, or thereabouts).

The cases on these are the weak link: the zipper is usually broken, though they still offer some protection.

Here is an example of a recently sold machine:

This is a gorgeous example of a Lettera 32, The iconic typewriter design. This shows very little wear and works perfectly. Great alignment and type action. Light touch needed, in contrast to many vintage machines. Almost feels like an electric machine.

12 character per inch elite font.

Coveted made in Italy version in sought-after blue. They also come in sort of a drab tan color. And there are versions made in Spain, England, and Canada. The Italian versions are perhaps the highest quality and in any case have a better paint job.

The case is in good shape... even the zipper works!

This comes with the original metal spools for the ribbon, which works better. A fresh ribbon has been installed, 2 tone black and red.

Faint 'golden' was once written on right side. After many decades, it's so faint photos don't catch it.

This is one of the best working versions of this model that I have had. Enjoy!

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There are a few points in history where form meets function so deliberately that a work of art is born in the union.

The Lettera 22 was designed by Marcello Nizzoli in 1950, and was an immediate sensation. It was awarded the Compasso d'oro prize in 1954. In 1959 the Illinois Institute of Technology chose the Lettera 22 as the best design product of the last 100 years. A specimen can be found in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Marcello Nizzoli followed up the wildly successful Lettera 22 design with the Lettera 32 thirteen years later. Though things got a little more square and less organic, something beautiful happened; one of history’s iconic typewriters was born. It’s been the machine chosen by countless writers throughout the century, including some of the most iconic creators of our times; Thomas Pynchon, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen.

Classictypewriter.com

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THE CLASSIC TYPEWRITER PROCESS

(Or: How dare we guarantee a 50 or 60 year old machine?)

Each machine is carefully screened for quality and reliability.

Each machine passes a rigorous 14 point mechanical inspection.

Each machine is cleaned, serviced, and adjusted so that it functions as it was designed to.

Each machine is THOROUGHLY tested by a writer. (Usually people who say a typewriter ‘works’ haven’t tested most of its most important features. Sometimes the type bars move but are misaligned; sometimes the carriage won’t advance; sometimes lesser-used keys stick; sometimes whole pieces are missing, etc). If it is found to need work, we have technicians with 40 years of experience.

If it is found to be acceptable…

Each machine is cleaned and carefully packaged for safe shipment (believe it or not, improper shipping is the MOST COMMON CAUSE OF DAMAGE for a vintage typewriter).

The Classic Typewriter LIFETIME Trade-In Policy

If at any reason you decide that you are done with the machine you got from us, you can trade it in for the full value, minus shipping and, if there is any, wear and tear. You pay the difference and we will send your next dream machine.

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