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Home » Olivetti » Lettera 22 » 1955 #215020
1955 Olivetti Lettera 22 Serial # 215020 1955 Olivetti Lettera 22 typewriter, Serial # 215020 Wayne Bouchard's 1955 Olivetti Lettera 22 typewriter. 2024-09-06 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Wayne Bouchard: 1955 Olivetti Lettera 22 Serial # 215020 A 1955 Olivetti Lettera 22. This is a slim portable designed for those on the move or those without a great deal of room, such as in a dorm room. This typewriter is outfitted with Pica No. 1 typeface (10 pitch, 6 LPI). The typewriter is in pretty good shape, save for a few scars, but the case is almost done. I do have the vinyl dust cover, but it is torn. (Note that some time after submitting this, I realized I had documented the wrong year. So the type sample still shows the wrong year.)

The only things I really don't like about this typewriter are the fact that it has a very heavy key press, the ribbon selector mechanism is crude and difficult to adjust (and actually doesn't work right on the stencil setting as a result), and the fact that the carriage lock is UP for off and DOWN for lock. So as I work, once in a while, it wants to fall down as I move the carriage. The case had a nice design, but clearly wasn't built very sturdily.

1955 Olivetti Lettera 22 #215020

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)
Created: 07-28-2024 at 10:19PM
Last Edit: 09-06-2024 at 09:43PM

Description Hunter 22 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

A 1955 Olivetti Lettera 22. This is a slim portable designed for those on the move or those without a great deal of room, such as in a dorm room. This typewriter is outfitted with Pica No. 1 typeface (10 pitch, 6 LPI). The typewriter is in pretty good shape, save for a few scars, but the case is almost done. I do have the vinyl dust cover, but it is torn. (Note that some time after submitting this, I realized I had documented the wrong year. So the type sample still shows the wrong year.)

The only things I really don't like about this typewriter are the fact that it has a very heavy key press, the ribbon selector mechanism is crude and difficult to adjust (and actually doesn't work right on the stencil setting as a result), and the fact that the carriage lock is UP for off and DOWN for lock. So as I work, once in a while, it wants to fall down as I move the carriage. The case had a nice design, but clearly wasn't built very sturdily.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:










I had to replace the draw string and thought a little color would add something to the typewriter.
I had to replace the draw string and thought a little color would add something to the typewriter.

Pica No. 1. (10 Pitch, 6 LPI)
Pica No. 1. (10 Pitch, 6 LPI)

Serial number 215020, located on the back right corner of the frame, visible by moving the carriage to the left.
Serial number 215020, located on the back right corner of the frame, visible by moving the carriage to the left.

Note the leather patch in the middle. That used to be the strap with the snap on it.
Note the leather patch in the middle. That used to be the strap with the snap on it.

The case is much the worse for wear, discolored, and covered in grime. The accent stripes are gone, the leather covers on the handles are gone, and the strap meant to cover the zipper draws is also torn away. It is still sufficient for storage and gentle transport but requires delicate treatment.
The case is much the worse for wear, discolored, and covered in grime. The accent stripes are gone, the leather covers on the handles are gone, and the strap meant to cover the zipper draws is also torn away. It is still sufficient for storage and gentle transport but requires delicate treatment.

Note the stops on the zipper. These are meant to come together in the center and remain there.
Note the stops on the zipper. These are meant to come together in the center and remain there.

The typewriter came with a dust cover, but this one has become torn over the years.
The typewriter came with a dust cover, but this one has become torn over the years.

The zipper is torn off at both corners and making progress pretty rapidly. It will still close, but requires a gentle touch and won't survive this being tone too often.
The zipper is torn off at both corners and making progress pretty rapidly. It will still close, but requires a gentle touch and won't survive this being tone too often.

Note the torn stiffener in the top of the case.
Note the torn stiffener in the top of the case.

The cover of the original owner's guide.
The cover of the original owner's guide.


The ribbon feed on this typewriter is a little unusual so I wanted to make sure I included a photo of that diagram.
The ribbon feed on this typewriter is a little unusual so I wanted to make sure I included a photo of that diagram.

I thought it would be interesting to include the list of associations in the back of the owner's guide.
I thought it would be interesting to include the list of associations in the back of the owner's guide.

Hunter: Wayne Bouchard (azweb100)

Wayne Bouchard's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1044

Collector of several things, including typewriters, slide rules, and mechanical calculators.
Started collecting typewriters in 2023 with a Royal HHE like the one I did my first book report on when I was in school and using my dad's old typewriter.


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