197X Olivetti DORA #1348353
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)
Created: 10-18-2015 at 11:15AM
Last Edit: 10-18-2015 at 11:18AM
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Description:
This typewriter is a gift from a former employee from the Hispano-Olivetti plant in Barcelona.
He´s from my mother´s village, and after working and living in Barcelona for about three decades he came back nearly 20 years ago when he retired. Then he´s learned about my hobby, and without letting me explain anything he´s sent me this nice Dora, and he´s invited me to have a little chat about his time at the factory and show me his other two typewriters. I insist, he´s given me a typewriter for free and we haven´t even talked! EVER!
As for the typewriter itself, it´s in pretty good condition. The case isn´t, because apparently he had to repaint his house and the workers weren´t too careful. But it works just fine, as it´s supposed to perform: a lighter version of the Lettera 32, without tabulator and somewhat weaker.
But it´s reliable enough. In the end, it´s practically a Valentine with a less flashy dress, and in fact it has Valentine keytops. Easy to use, reliable and with a good touch. A great typewriter for any collection taking into account how inexpensive they are.
And then, the serial numbers. This one does not match with Italian Doras, so I´m a bit lost. I hope I´ll get some information from this new friend. Thank you, Ángel!
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Javier Vazquez del Olmo (Javi)
Javier Vazquez del Olmo's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 6476
The first typewriter I saw was my grandpa´s Olivetti Linea 98 at the office. It was just a curio for me. Then I was given a Nakajima, which I didn´t use and my grandfather took it from me because it was easier to handle than the bulky Linea 98. Now I own that typewriter, and I started a little collection in Valladolid, Spain. The Nakajima, which is "my" typewriter only returned home in 2017, almost 20 years later, when he wanted a better typewriter.
A collection that started small grew into something bigger, a nuisace for my family and a great source of satisfaction for me.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Olivetti DORA on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Olivetti Serial Number page and the Olivetti DORA By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
