1972 Olivetti Lettera 32 #6336796
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Jerry Himes (JJH)
Created: 07-12-2024 at 08:49AM
Last Edit: 08-06-2024 at 11:11PM
![1972 #6336796](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g_olivetti_23367_1720799387.jpg)
Description:
It's an ultra-portable and a workhorse typewriter at the same time. If I only had to choose one ultra-portable to use for all of my typewriting work, I would probably choose this one.
This specimen has the Standard Pica typeface and the old Finnish Standard keyboard layout.
Pros:
+ Ultra-portable, so easier to lug around than most typewriters
+ Stylish looks (subjective, but most people seem to agree)
+ Sturdy metal shell
+ Extremely comfortable and satisfying type action. You can just keep on typing with this.
+ The position of the line spacing lever is easy to see, so you don't have to double check if you are on the correct spacing by moving the lever back and forth. This is nice if you are working on a text which requires you to keep changing the spacing a lot. This has been a small problem with some typewriters I've used.
+ Touch control; all settings are comfortable though.
+ Fully adjustable tabulator, which is rare in ultra-portables.
+ Holding the margin release while returning the carriage stops it automatically at the usual ½ inch indentation point for a new paragraph. I love this feature. Great especially for working on texts which have lots of long quotes with each line starting at the ½ inch point.
+ Reliable.
+ Very quiet for an ultra-portable, so if you like to work at places with people around, like cafés, parks, beaches etc., you can probably use this without bothering anyone. Depending on the situation it might be a good idea to ask the staff or the people around you first, of course.
+ Has a variable line spacing plunger on the left platen knob (or whatever it's called).
+ I can probably think of more later...
Neutral
+/- The soft but still sturdy leather carrying case often has a broken zipper, luckily mine still works.
+/- No separate number 1 key, as is usual even for newer Olivettis. Not that big of a deal once you get used to it, but can be a slight annoyance if you also use typewriters which do feature it. At first I was worried that this might mess with OCR (optical character recognition), but it's really not a big deal.
Cons:
- I'll think of something.
Typeface Specimen:
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/images/type-not-entered.jpg)
Photos:
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g23367_171714__171714_1720799425.jpg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g23367_171715__171715_1720799441.jpg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g23367_171716__171716_1720799454.jpg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g23367_171717__171717_1720799466.jpg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g23367_171718__171718_1720799480.jpg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g23367_171719__171719_1720799502.jpg)
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/g23367_171720__171720_1720799522.jpg)
Hunter: Jerry Himes (JJH)
Jerry Himes's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
![](https://typewriterdatabase.com/img/member_7406_1714138632.jpg)
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 664
I have been looking for ways to spend less time on electronic devices, and because of this I started doing my writing and translation work with pens and pencils, and now on typewriters as well.
I will probably start selling and giving away some of my machines after I figure out which ones are most useful to me. Some people have asked me for a working typewriter, so I have been on the lookout for machines purely for that purpose as well.
Machines sold/given away:
Triumph Gabriele 20
Hermes 3000 (3rd gen., French)
Student (Brother) Deluxe 850TR
Optima (Zentronik) Mod. 42
Scheidegger (Olivetti) President
Reviews done so far:
Erika Daro Model 41
Hermes 3000 (3rd gen.)
Olivetti Lettera 32
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.