How can the same company which made this sexy little race-car of a machine
go ahead and produce a clunky camel like this?
I've got one of the first, though it's in the more common blue that Cormac McCarthy used until recently. When a local seller went on eBay to sell one of the latter, still in box, for $100, and then re-listed it for $50 when there were no bidders, I was sorely tempted to drive by his operation and pay some cash for it. Manual typewriters are not typically a thing you have the opportunity to buy new in box. And there's nothing like a nice solid desktop machine for smooth typing.
But the more I looked at the picture, the more I knew it could never be. There's no harmony between the keys and the body, and the keys themselves look like ungrateful, chunky lozenges. I knew that, once the thrill of unpacking it was over, I'd be stuck with a just another boat anchor to store in the shed.
Besides, I have too many of the damn things already.
My best guess is that the Lettera 32 (mine is blue, as well) reflects the design sensibilities (by no less than Marcello Nizzoli) of the 1960s, and the later machine in your 2nd photo reflects later tastes (late 70s-to-early 80s). Even squarish 1970s architecture resembles that machine.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you! Save your money for one of those timeless Olympia portables- or an Olivetti Studio 44!
Good decision; saving your money (and space) for something you'll really love. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." (Linda)
ReplyDeleteCan you ever get too many typewriters! :)
ReplyDeleteI am a collector myself, so I know about too many things.