Check out the math keys on this Lettera 22! Typewriters fitted with math typeslugs are a rarer sight in the typewriter world, and this duck-egg blue 1963 Olivetti Lettera 22 has quite the selection. Having been made to order for its original owner, this Lettera 22's keyboard includes various symbols, including "∞," "π," and "∑."
Presented in subtle original duck-egg blue paint, this 1963 Olivetti Lettera 22 is a great example of this popular portable's later 1960s iteration. The nice lines and compact design that won the Lettera 22 the Compasso d'Oro Prize in 1954 remain unchanged in this later model. Apart from an improvement in the metal quality of some of its internal mechanisms, only the keytops have changed, from round black ones to grey square ones.
The light duck-egg blue paint on this Lettera 22 has been cleaned, polished, and waxed with protective museum-grade wax, leaving it gleaming. It is in good shape, though there are some marks here and there. Most noticeable are a couple grazes to the front left and right corners of the typewriter, which were caused by the metal lining of the front part of the case (near the handle) tearing through the case's felt and rubbing the typewriter. I have placed some thick black felt over the tears in the case lining to protect the typewriter from further scratches on its corners. The only other blemishes to the paint are a small mark above the "2" keytop and a tiny mark beneath the right side of the spacebar.
All nickel and chrome-plated pieces have been polished with metal polish and are in excellent shape. The plastic platen knobs and keytops are in excellent condition and have received a clean with plastic polish.
This Lettera 22 has been dismantled and the internal mechanics have been cleaned with a suitable solvent. The escapement of this Lettera 22 was completely dismantled, cleaned and adjusted to ensure a mechanical performance in line with the typewriter's lovely exterior. A light application of lubrication has been added where necessary.
The platen and feed rollers have been cleaned with rubber rejuvinator - the platen has hardened with age as is the case with many vintage typewriters, and a backing sheet of paper should be used for best typing imprint. The feed rollers grip paper well, and it is easy to insert new pieces of paper and carry on writing. The rubber feet have also been cleaned and grip tabletops well.
Mechanically this Lettera 22 is in fine form - the basket shift is light, and the silent carriage return is steady and smooth. The bell rings, margins work, and the touch control under the ribbon cover gently increases or decreases the pressure needed from fingers to type. The tabulator (red keytop), backspace, shift-lock, margin release, line space selector and variable line spacing knob all work as intended.
Apart from a couple small ink marks on its top, the dust cover is in very good condition and has been cleaned. It remains a bit wrinkly (it should flatten out with use) but protects the typewriter from dust nicely. The case is in good condition and has been cleaned inside and out. As noted above I have fitted some black felt over the holes at the corners of the case's inner lining. There is some wear and light, speckled staining to the interior. The blue outer is in very good condition with minimal marking. There are two zips on this case, which meet just beneath the plastic handle. One is in very good condition; the other has a break at its back corner. Nevertheless, it is possible to feed the broken zip into the zipper to close that side of the case. The case's handle is in sturdy condition.
This typewriter prints pica typeface in 10 cpi (characters per inch) in black or red. A new ribbon has been installed, and the print quality is very good.
This Lettera 22 will be expertly packaged in a well-sized cardboard box with signed-for delivery and insurance. Shipping to the US and other international destinations is available.
Dimensions(w x l x h): 27 x 37 x 10 cm (height includes the carriage return lever folded out for use); weight - 3.7 kg
