1965 Olivetti Lettera 32 #2482531
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Andrew Hearn (stickswriter)
Created: 03-02-2023 at 04:22PM
Last Edit: 03-02-2023 at 04:33PM
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Description:
1965 Olivetti Lettera 32 'Martinelli’ s/n: 2482531
Dimensions:
Case 14±1 12&3/4" x 4" 11&1/2lbs
typewriter 12&3/4!' x 12}" x 3&3/4" 9&1/2lbs
Features:
Right backspace; Custom Tabs; carriage; no dedicated 1 or ! key; 2 ribbon settings; Rabbit Ear paper rest; Segment Shift; 2 clicks per line; spacing; Removable Ribbon Cover; 3 line spacing settings
Model History:
The Lettera 32 was introduced in 1963 as a successor to the popular Lettera 22 of the 1950s. Its small size combined with its feature set made it very popular as well, particularly among those that needed to travel like students and journalists Two writers who used this model are Cormac McCarthy, the author of ‘no country for old men’ and Francis Ford Coppola, who used it to write the screen play for the god father. A Lettera 32 used by the former was put up for auction in 2009 and was expected to sell for around $20,000. Instead, it sold for $254,500, more than 10 times what was expected. The initial production run, which was made in Ivrea Italy, lasted from 1963—1977. In 1964, another factory in Barcelona was set up to meet demand. Production here ended in 1977 as well, though new models from the 1977 model year were sold as late as 1980,
Typing Feel:
Key travel is very light for the first 4/5ths. Because the ribbon vibrator pivots on a hinge, it I-as little impact on the force required to press the key. The last 1/ 5th is a fairly light soft wall that is easy to push through as the typebars clear top dead center. Of all the mechanical typewriters in my collection, The let tera 32 has one of if not the lightest touch keyboards in my collection. Combined with its small size, these features make it have one of the combinations of full-size typewriter features with ultra-portable typewriter size. Sure, there are smaller ultra-portables, and there are portables and standards that have features that the lettera 32 lacks, hit it has the best mixture them in a package that is easy to travel with. The only down side is that the right side of the keyboard is a little tight, to the point that 4 finger touch typing is kind of difficult. The instructions recognize this and recommend 3 finger touch typing.
Where Found It:
Late last year, I found a rebranded Olivetti Lettera 22 that was sold by sears under the name Tower Chieftain. Having heard good things about the Lettera 22 & 32, I was tempted by it. However, its mechanical condition was such that I felt it would be beyond my ability repair. Like 2 other typewriters that I purchased from Big Valley Antiques, I thought that I might change my mind, but before that could happen, it was purchased by a Youtuber called 'Just My Typewriter, who earlier this year did a video on it. After not finding a lettera 32 or 22 at any of the near by thrift and antique stores, I finally decided look for one on eBay. Eventually I found one going for $160 and bought it. It did not have the original metal ribbon spools, which meant that the ribbon cover would not sit flush on the machine. Thankfully I found someone on Esty that was selling Olivetti ribbon spools with ribbon pre would onto them. He was located in Italy, so the shipping took a little longer than I liked, but it all worked out in the end. If I need a machine that can go anywhere and still has many of the more useful features of a larger portable or standard machine, this Lettera 32 is my go to.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Andrew Hearn (stickswriter)
Andrew Hearn's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 229
I'm a writer and collector of Typewriters who lives out in the sticks.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olivetti Lettera 32 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olivetti Serial Number page and the Olivetti Lettera 32 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
