1969 Olivetti Valentine #5389808

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Elisa Makoon-Singh (escribiramaquina)
Created: 08-03-2025 at 02:21PM
Last Edit: 08-05-2025 at 10:56PM

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Description:

Found while vacationing in Cádiz.

My Valentine Story

While I wasn't in the market for an Olivetti Valentine specifically, I really can hardly ever resist a Spanish keyboard typer. Before coming to Spain to visit family, I had perused Facebook marketplace listings. The problem is I don't have a car here and don't feel like renting one or ubering too far. I hoped to find a Spanish machine at a low price but lo and behold I blew the budget... for good reason. Long story short, I found an Olivetti Valentine nearby (walking distance) in "practically new" condition according to the listing on a local version of marketplace online called milanuncios. It was listed for 200 euros which, realistically, is a rather fair price for these just because they are "collectible." I tried to haggle because the listing was on there for a little over a month. The seller responded promptly and said I could come by and try before I buy, but the price was firm. Well, what can I say? besides thank goodness she didn't blow me off. Another wonderful, lovely, beautiful, buying experience. I believe this was this señora's typewriter, from back in the day like she told me. One owner. Nice condition. Original metal spools. No sticky keys. Just needs fresh ribbon. She just doesn't have a use for it anymore. Or maybe she just doesn't know where to buy ribbon.

Some might say I overpaid. Others will say I got lucky. I don't care about that price nonsense. It was just a lovely experience buying a stranger's typewriter that I will cherish and then hopefully pass on for someone else to use because these were built to last. Yes even the plastic bodied Valentine, which surprisingly holds it weight well and sits firmly as I type. I'm stunned at times like these when I feel blessed by the typewriter distribution system. I'm baffled that this lovely señora couldn't sell her pristine little stylish typewriter from 1969 to anyone but lil ol' me, on happenstance on vacation.

Oh happy day!

As Jordan Catalano sang on My So-Called Life:
"I call her RED
yeah, yeah, yeah
I call her RED"

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Hunter: Elisa Makoon-Singh (escribiramaquina)

Elisa Makoon-Singh's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 514

I love to write and found that writing on a typewriter is the most enjoyable and distraction-free way of doing it. I started with an Alphasmart, then moved to a Royalite, then to an Olympia SM5. The Olympia kept me fully satisfied for a good seven years until I got the bit by the collecting bug. Now I am slowly amassing my own personal typewriter museum. Typewriters are like personal printing presses. My partner is an engineer who can fix and clean any typewriter, so we make a great team.