1970 Olivetti Lettera DL #5510138
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Hein Reinders (heinemaat)
Created: 01-08-2026 at 01:26PM
Last Edit: 01-08-2026 at 02:09PM
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Description:
Olivetti Lettera DL made in Barcelona.
Font Elite with 11 cpi 43 keys, also for $, £, 1/2 and 1/4 and a zero (0)
This portable machine has all the features of a desktop machine (see the list in the photos) and they all work perfectly.
From lowercase to uppercase by moving the segment up and down.
Simple but effective metal mechanism, also used in the Olivette Lettera 32 and Dora.
See where an engineer can save costs using steel sheet, see the photo of the nuts.
The machine writes lightly, the touch is adjustable.
Attention and money have been spent on the appearance of this machine. Olivetti did some value engineering: what is wha the market pays for if there are many good machines for sale, but few pleasant ones. The housing consists of several parts: a plastic frame, an aluminum casting as the bottom edge, three curved pieces of thin aluminum sheet material and two pieces of hard foam as silencers. Extremely lightweight and expensive. The 'bonnet' also consists of a very fine cast aluminium rim and a large surface of aluminium sheet material that has a 'leather look' on the outside. There is an elegant and foldable control adjustment hook, a beautiful polished aluminum casting. Weight 4.3 kg. for the bare machine, 5.4 kg. with case.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Hein Reinders (heinemaat)
Hein Reinders's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 1044
As a retired product development engineer, I am fascinated by the design of electro-mechanical products in which parts move, make noise and, preferably, radiate a little heat. Most preferred are products that are operated by keys, like typewriters, accordeons and pianos.
My genetics and statistics on lifetime expectancy suggest that it is time for me to let you know about the fantastic design, product engineering and manuacturing skills of the generation before mine. I salute mr. Munk for the opportunity that he has created for me to show it to the world. Okay, a bit bombastic.
Comments? Email me at hreinder1950@gmail.com
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olivetti Lettera DL on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olivetti Serial Number page and the Olivetti Lettera DL By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
