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Home » Olivetti » Lettera 22 » 1950 #S680172
1950 Olivetti Lettera 22 Serial # S680172 1950 Olivetti Lettera 22 typewriter, Serial # S680172 Tas Kyprianou's 1950 Olivetti Lettera 22 typewriter. 2023-01-20 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Tas Kyprianou: 1950 Olivetti Lettera 22 Serial # S680172 Shipped to me in a carrier bag, it's a testament to the Lettera 22's hardiness that it survived the journey with nothing more than a slightly bent carriage return lever mechanism. I had put off buying a 22 as (for some mental block reason) I could not see how it might be all that different from my dreamy 32. My old motto, "Assume nothing" needs to be resurrected. This thing is a BEAUTY. So much character and attitude. The paintwork looks and feels like that on a vintage Bristol motor car and everything about it screams "use me!". If, like me, you own a 32 and have put off buying a 22. Please reconsider. The more I use this, the more I like it. This 22 is a fabulous little portable that's quite clearly not afraid of hard work.

1950 Olivetti Lettera 22 #S680172

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Tas Kyprianou (Tas)
Created: 06-19-2022 at 02:01AM
Last Edit: 01-20-2023 at 10:40AM

Description Hunter 15 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay  Find on Etsy

Description:

Shipped to me in a carrier bag, it's a testament to the Lettera 22's hardiness that it survived the journey with nothing more than a slightly bent carriage return lever mechanism. I had put off buying a 22 as (for some mental block reason) I could not see how it might be all that different from my dreamy 32. My old motto, "Assume nothing" needs to be resurrected. This thing is a BEAUTY. So much character and attitude. The paintwork looks and feels like that on a vintage Bristol motor car and everything about it screams "use me!". If, like me, you own a 32 and have put off buying a 22. Please reconsider. The more I use this, the more I like it. This 22 is a fabulous little portable that's quite clearly not afraid of hard work.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Low profile. Note the carriage return arm is in a much higher position than normal. It was damaged on delivery and I "fixed" it with some Quick Steel.
Low profile. Note the carriage return arm is in a much higher position than normal. It was damaged on delivery and I "fixed" it with some Quick Steel.






Whilst the interior rubber washers had totally disintegrated, the feet are in incredible condition for 72 years of age.
Whilst the interior rubber washers had totally disintegrated, the feet are in incredible condition for 72 years of age.




A pewter finish to the segment. This is as shiny as I'm able to get it.
A pewter finish to the segment. This is as shiny as I'm able to get it.

The slugs are really cute. Small. *Top tip - spraying the linkage rod with alcohol and pushing and pulling it back and forth and rotating it SERIOUSLY improves the performance of this beautiful machine.
The slugs are really cute. Small. *Top tip - spraying the linkage rod with alcohol and pushing and pulling it back and forth and rotating it SERIOUSLY improves the performance of this beautiful machine.

Elite size typeface.
Elite size typeface.

All that's left of the runbber bushes. A 7mm grommet fits perfectly though. Easy fix.
All that's left of the runbber bushes. A 7mm grommet fits perfectly though. Easy fix.


Hunter: Tas Kyprianou (Tas)

Tas Kyprianou's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 2778

UK member with Greek Cypriot heritage, living in London.
Relatively new to the hobby - Bought an Everest Mod 90 after watching a Violet Evergarden anime in December 2021.
My collection now consists of 34 machines - the Linea 88, Halda Star 7 & Selectric II parts machines don’t count as all three are now just nuts and bolts and screws & springs.
Also, it is now my sincere intention to sell on a few, much-loved but less-used machines.
My absolute favourite remains (just) my 1939 Royal KMM. For me, it's both the prettiest and the "warmest" to type on. It has "Majik" (with a nod to Sandy1)
I count my blessings that I am lucky enough to have amassed such a beautiful bunch.


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olivetti Lettera 22 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olivetti Serial Number page and the Olivetti Lettera 22 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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