I managed to find a Lettera 22 in normal type to go with my 32 in script. Now I can do a little comparison.
First, we see their profiles are similar but not identical. It's hard to see in the photo but the 32 has a downward slope toward the rear, and the 22 has a smooth finish. My assistant, Beaker, stages the photo:
Here we see the difference in typebar and ribbon arrangement. The 32's downward slope is made apparent by the angled spools.
At the left end of the carriage numerous differences can be seen in the mechanical arrangement. It would be interesting to see some discussion by experts.
I shot the left end at this angle to show the marked difference in the carriage by means of the cutout opened for it.
This was interesting to me. I pressed the Q key. The 22 pushes the first link forward, (and is prone to double-strike skipping), while the 32 pulls back. Despite all the differences, they feel remarkably similar to type on.
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| I measured these at 11.5 per inch. also interesting... |
Great comparison! I someday want to find at least one of these two. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting about the typeface pitch! My Olivetti Studio 46 has 11 cpi script that looks identical to your 11.5.
Thanks, Peter, this is informative.
ReplyDeleteThis is great stuff. I hadn't noticed that the 22s push in to move the keys--not just the q but all the keys--while the 32s pull out.
ReplyDeleteMy 22's shift mechanism is visible: the bar that connects the shift keys to the basket pulls back, pushing the basket down. On the 32, the mechanism is hidden under a lip of the frame, and the connection has more linkages but is much smoother: instead of reaching into the frame and rocking the bar backwards, it depresses a bar under the keyboard, which pulls against two springs that rotate an internal bar and move the basket down.
There seem to be many mechanical differences and quite a number of stylistic ones too.
Rob
If one were to choose one for typing, which is better? Or at least, what are the differences?
ReplyDeleteThat would be a nice problem to have, having to choose. I'd go with the 32. I'm told by Rev. Munk that my 22 is unlike others. That is, he says it has a better touch than usual. Even so I like the 32 better.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. Obtained a 32 ("olivetti underwood") yesterday. Like the rounded looks of the 22 better, but the 32 was available locally on craigslist, so I bought it.
ReplyDeleteDo you know why on both the 22 and the 32 the backspace arrow points RIGHT?
http://after20080402.blogspot.com/2012/02/022.html
ReplyDeleteI notice that the period and the apostrophe don't align (apostrophe slightly to the write of the period), so exclamation points looked off kilter/ Also--on my machine, not apparently on all-- the period and the comma keys make the same mark shifted and unshifted, which seems to me a waste.
ReplyDeleteMy 32 is script, which being slanted, wouldn't align anyway. I'm not surprised though - I have noticed the same issue on several machines, that the apostrophe and period don't true up. They don't always think of it as an exclamation point option.
ReplyDeleteI bent the typebar a little, and the "exclamation point" looks much better. I was thinking about bidding for a 22 on ebay but became concerned about "double-strike skipping". Does "prone" mean a lot or occasional? I assume not "rare".
ReplyDeleteIt *was* pretty bad, about 1/3 of the time unless I could strike just perfectly. That was until the strike point was adjusted by Bill Wahl in Phoenix (actually Mesa) Arizona. Now it never does that at all.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. Did not bid on the 22--perhaps I should have as it sold for $31.99. The 32 is for my daughter, to whom I will deliver it tomorrow in NYC. Here are some pages I type with it:
ReplyDeletehttps://bitly.com/yyf7gq+
This is the link: http://bit.ly/yyf7gq Iif you are able to correct the previous comment, please delete this one.)
ReplyDeletenice writing and good typing! here's another one for sale.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.asp?ItemID=9555527
Thank you for the Goodwill link. Saw a Lettera 22 at Gramercy Office Equipment in NYC. Nice chat with Paul Schweitzer. The Letteras seem stiffer than the Smith-Corona Super Silent that he also had. Has been anybody put manual portables on a scale from light to heavy touch?
ReplyDeletethat's interesting. My SCM's are all the stiffest ones I have, no matter the model. My Letteras are between the Hermes 3000 and the Olympias in feel.
ReplyDeleteJust bought a 22 off ebay. $52 + $18 shipping.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's a good one, can't wait to see your impressions of it.
ReplyDeleteSupposedly in "mint condition," but doesn't look quite so in the photo. Hope it doesn't "skip."
ReplyDeleteThe 22 arrived. It seems in good shape. I'll have to give it a bath and an new ribbon.
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ReplyDeletehttp://nizzoli22.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHas anyone information about the feed roller reparation on Lettera 32?
ReplyDeleteMine has not had that problem. Try the Yahoo groups, typewriters or portable typewriters. Always helpful groups.
ReplyDeleteThat was interesting, thanks for the link. It am surprised they are so different. My friend has a 22 and damn if they don't feel pretty much exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Are the ink ribbons the same? I have a 22 and can only find ribbon for Littera 32. I just don't want to order a ribbon that won't fit. Thank you for answering my question. :)
ReplyDeleteThe ribbons are the same – in fact, I think most, if not all, the Olivetti machines use the same ribbon. Usually, the only difference between the different ribbon standards is the mounting of the ribbon spool, so if you happen to get one that doesn't fit, as long as you have old spools, you can transfer the ribbon to that.
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