Mario Bellini - Olivetti, Studio 46 - Typewriter - 1970-1980

olivetti studio 46 – vintage manual mechanical typewriter with original case

description general

Beautiful original Olivetti Studio 46 typewriter, in the characteristic light blue color, accompanied by its black rigid transport case, the silver fabric inner cover, and the paper documentation visible in the photos. An interesting example from Olivetti’s seventies production, a period of great innovation for Italian industrial design.

Studio 46 was introduced in 1974 and is associated with the project of designer Mario Bellini, a leading figure in the history of Italian and international design. This model represents the meeting of mechanical functionality, ergonomics, and aesthetic research, features that contributed to the brand Olivetti’s international notoriety.

design and aesthetic features

The machine features a light blue body with geometric lines, a keyboard with light-colored keys, and a distinctive red tabulation key. The color contrast, compact forms, and a rational arrangement of controls give the object a strong visual identity.

The design makes it interesting not only for typewriter enthusiasts, but also for collectors of twentieth-century industrial objects and for anyone seeking a vintage decorative accessory for a study, a library, or a professional environment.

technical specifications

• brand: Olivetti
• model: Studio 46
• type: manual mechanical semi-standard typewriter
• introduction period: 1974
• associated designer: Mario Bellini
• color: blue
• keyboard: 43 keys corresponding to 86 characters
• writing system: hammers and ink ribbon in fabric
• ribbon width: 13 mm
• selector for choosing the position or color of the ribbon
• movable carriage with roller for inserting and advancing the paper
• line spacing selector with three positions plus zero
• controls for margins, line return, and carriage release
• tabulation device to facilitate column writing
• fully mechanical operation, no electrical power required

The specified specifications refer to the documented configuration of the Studio 46 model; the presence and efficiency of every single command on the present exemplar must be verified.

included contents

The lot includes the Olivetti Studio 46 typewriter, the black rigid case with integrated handle, the silver fabric interior cover, and the paper documents shown in the photographs.

The case is a particularly useful element for storing and transporting the machine, protecting it from dust and impacts during handling. The presence of the case and cover also contributes to the completeness of the lot presentation.

condition and conservation

The exemplar shows signs of time and use, especially on the case and exterior surfaces, as visible in the photographs. The machine is offered in its current state of conservation. The mechanical operation, key response, carriage movement, and typing quality have not been checked.

Therefore, it is recommended to consider the object as a vintage machine to be checked before regular use. The photographs are an integral part of the description and allow evaluating the aesthetic conditions and included accessories.

collectible interest

The Olivetti Studio 46 is an object representing the history of mechanical writing and Italian industrial design. The blue color, the contrasting keyboard, the red key, the compact structure, and the transport case make it an interesting specimen for Olivetti collectors, vintage typewriter enthusiasts, twentieth-century design lovers, and vintage office equipment aficionados.

A lot with authentic character and decorative appeal, capable of combining historical memory, mechanical engineering, and Italian design culture.

The sale includes exclusively the objects and accessories visible in the photographs. No collaboration with Pirelli is declared, as no verifiable documentation linking this company to the specific model has been found.