Comments on: Olivetti Lettera 31

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 16:09:08 +0000

Good morning- after 55 years of typing and far too many (or maybe few!) machines, I have settled on a serviced Lettera 31, made in Spain. The look you call bland is for me beautiful- clean, innovative, timeless. Maybe something Frank Lloyd Wright would have designed. The keys on mine are the ‘saddle’ version with large lettering- fabulous to use. They look like Valentine keys. The fewer features on this do not at all concern me, it is part of the entire 31/Dora charm. Always interesting to read what others have conjured up for their favorites- I have been offered a Studio 45 for $30. Maybe another note to you all soon.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 20:20:03 +0000

I have a Lettera 31, it was the first typewriter I bought, and overall I really enjoy it. It’s lightweight but feels sturdy, and very user friendly overall. My only minor qualm is that the action on it is so light and speedy that it’s easy to get lots of skipped spaces and ghost letters when typing quickly.

By: Daniel Marleau

Daniel Marleau — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 02:56:41 +0000

In reply to George Zeolla.

Perhaps you’re looking for one with the “techno pica” typeface. Here’s a story on that:
https://xoverit.blogspot.com/2014/05/studio-techno-typewriter-principles.html

By: JoshBeta1

JoshBeta1 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 20:27:50 +0000

I had once a Lettera 31. Sometimes I miss it. xD
https://typewriterdatabase.com/1974-olivetti-lettera-31.6368.typewriter

By: George Zeolla

George Zeolla — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 18:59:02 +0000

I am interested in purchasing a OLIVETTI Lettera 31 or the model 45. Can you please tell me if any of these OLIVETTI models have a typeface of let’s say; italic or block (robotic). I would like one other than just standard PICA or ELITE. I’m not interested in SCRIPT. Please let me know based on your knowledge and insight. Thank you, George Z. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

By: skipf

skipf — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 18:43:53 +0000

I obtained a fine, well-maintained 31 as a “throw in” on a deal for a 22. The guy offered “free shipping or I’ll give you this 31 in addition.” I received that same gray machine Daniel shows in this pics. Wish I could share my “renovation” picture. I stripped it down (taking the plastic body off the works was easy, and put it in the spray booth. Gave it an all-over Valentine red finish and even accented the margin release key with Olivetti’s signature red… as on the tabulator of other models. It looks swell in red.

By: Jorge Zamora

Jorge Zamora — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 18:34:19 +0000

As always, great piece., I love my Olivettis! I just missed out on a Lexikon the other day. If you haven’t yet, maybe you can share your thoughts on those when you have the time.
Thanks!

By: David Sharp

David Sharp — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 16:52:07 +0000

Another bright and cheerful review. Love them. Using your reviews as references I’ve bought most Olivettis and Olympias. Only one I’ve kept is the SM8. It came as new in a case with the original owners typing book and samples from 1966. She’s 4 years older than me but looks as fresh as she did then. I’ve had her serviced, so her next 50 years will hopefully be trouble free. I’ve found the Lettera 22 lovely but action lack confidence, the Studio was handsome but gave my wrists a workout, the new plastic versions I just binned as the were junk and mostly broken, designs were ghastly, the pocket rockets too ratchety and cramped… so I’ve settled, the second typewriter I bought and now the only one I’ve kept. Another wouldn’t feel right. She occupies a big space in my heart, and as a designer she is classy but dressed for work. The keystroke and feel of the whole machine is streets ahead of anything I’ve owned. A true class act. Keep up the reviews! David#