1969 Olivetti Valentine #5176525
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Currie Russell (Airportguy)
Created: 10-07-2020 at 09:23AM
Last Edit: 10-07-2020 at 09:28AM
Description:
My first typewriter acquired February 15, 2020 - the day after Valentine's Day. At the time I knew virtually nothing about typewriters or collecting at all, but I found this online and after a bit of quick research, decided it was worth the asking price. Having added many more machines to my collection since, I can agree that this isn't the greatest typer. I find my fingers tend to slip off the rectangular-shaped keys. BUT, the Valentine is still a must for any collection, just for the design factor. I do have the case (seat, waste paper basket) for this machine, although the rubber latches are not in great shape. The antique dealer I bought this from said that he got it from a senior couple who said they had bought it for their daughter who, in 1969, was in her early twenties, for school. The daughter had, and succumbed to cancer not long after. So I don't think it has been heavily used, although there is some wear on the flat piece above the keyboard. I always like a typewriter that has a story, even if it's a sad one.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Currie Russell (Airportguy)
Currie Russell's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 480
My father brought with him a Hermes Rocket when he emigrated from the UK to Canada in 1967 and I remember playing with it as a kid. This memory was reignited while I was in Montreal for work this past February and came across a stationery shop that had five typewriters in the window. When I got home, I went on the hunt for my first typewriter - caught the bug and haven't stopped!
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olivetti Valentine on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olivetti Serial Number page and the Olivetti Valentine By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.