1956 Olivetti Lettera 22 #327548
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Josh Nerd (thecuriousnerd)
Created: 11-04-2026 at 09:39AM
Last Edit: 11-04-2026 at 09:43AM
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Description:
Name: "Olivia" (Liv)
Purchased on November 2nd on Facebook Marketplace
12 pitch #84 Bodoni Elite Typeface
I purchased this from the wife of a psychotherapist who was the original owner and purchased this in Europe probably not long after the time it was manufactured.
Since then, it had been used and "well loved".
There was a receipt in the case that said it had it's platen replaced back in 1982 for $14! It is pretty hard now, and might be a typewriter that I get the platen professionally redone.
It came with the original case along with the original dust cover. Both are not in the best condition, but lovely that they are the original.
After doing some writing tests with it, I quickly noticed that the feed rollers had flat spots, so I'm replacing them with silicone rubber tubing that I will cut to size. The sizes measured with my calipers are 9mm OD and 5mm ID. However, since I live in the US, and we use "Freedom Units", I am replacing it with 3/8" OD and 3/16" ID tubing. The success of this is yet to be determined...
I have wanted a Lettera 22 ever since I first started getting interested into typewriters, and to be able to get one that has this beautiful Bodoni typeface is very exciting for me.
The experience of typing on a Lettera 22 is a bit different than the 32 (which has been my only experience of Olivetti up to this point), and I think I like it a bit more. Both Lettera's have that little "squish" when the keys are bottoming-out that feels very satisfying and soft on the fingers, though the Lettera 22 seems to be a little more smooth in my opinon. Of course, every machine is different as I am learning with every machine I lay fingers on, so one machine is not always a perfect picture of every specimen of that model.
Time will tell for sure, but I could easily see this machine becoming by daily typer.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Josh Nerd (thecuriousnerd)
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Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 311
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.
