Marcello Nizzoli - Olivetti, Lettera 22 - Version I - Typewriter - 1950-1960





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€38 | ||
€33 | ||
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Olivetti Lettera 22, first version, designed by Marcello Nizzoli and made in Italy, circa 1951, in excellent condition with only light wear, fully working with the wooden faux-leather case, serial no. 908531, raised Olivetti branding on the carriage and verification marks included.
Description from the seller
The Lettera 22 is a popular portable mechanical typewriter produced by Olivetti. It was one of Olivetti's most successful products in the 1950s and received awards both in Italy (Compasso d'Oro Award 1954) and abroad (best design product of the century according to the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1959).
The Triennale Design Museum houses as many as 6 Lettera 22 models in three different collections, including the permanent collection, and it is also on display in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent design collection in New York. It was produced at Olivetti's plant in Agliè (Turin).
It was designed in 1950 by architect and designer Marcello Nizzoli, a collaborator of the Ivrea company since 1938, on the project of engineer Giuseppe Beccio, Olivetti's technical director. The Lettera 22 was the second portable typewriter model produced by Olivetti and replaced the Olivetti MP1 model, released in 1932 and designed by Riccardo Levi, with design by Aldo Magnelli.
Our lot is an example for the best collections of typewriters as it comes from the second year of production, because it bears the Olivetti raised logo on the carriage (not a sticker plate) and because it is defect-free. The serial number n.908531 places it unmistakably in the second year of production which is 1951.
Additionally it has the wooden carrying case covered with faux leather, sturdy, with a complete and functioning lock. All these elements distinguish it from those of later years when production became industrial on European and global scale.
Perfectly functional and never repaired, dry ribbon but still usable.
WE DO NOT SHIP OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
For the Islands we reserve the right to request an additional charge to cover shipping costs possibly higher from couriers.
Seller's Story
The Lettera 22 is a popular portable mechanical typewriter produced by Olivetti. It was one of Olivetti's most successful products in the 1950s and received awards both in Italy (Compasso d'Oro Award 1954) and abroad (best design product of the century according to the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1959).
The Triennale Design Museum houses as many as 6 Lettera 22 models in three different collections, including the permanent collection, and it is also on display in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent design collection in New York. It was produced at Olivetti's plant in Agliè (Turin).
It was designed in 1950 by architect and designer Marcello Nizzoli, a collaborator of the Ivrea company since 1938, on the project of engineer Giuseppe Beccio, Olivetti's technical director. The Lettera 22 was the second portable typewriter model produced by Olivetti and replaced the Olivetti MP1 model, released in 1932 and designed by Riccardo Levi, with design by Aldo Magnelli.
Our lot is an example for the best collections of typewriters as it comes from the second year of production, because it bears the Olivetti raised logo on the carriage (not a sticker plate) and because it is defect-free. The serial number n.908531 places it unmistakably in the second year of production which is 1951.
Additionally it has the wooden carrying case covered with faux leather, sturdy, with a complete and functioning lock. All these elements distinguish it from those of later years when production became industrial on European and global scale.
Perfectly functional and never repaired, dry ribbon but still usable.
WE DO NOT SHIP OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
For the Islands we reserve the right to request an additional charge to cover shipping costs possibly higher from couriers.

