Description: This sale is for an Olivetti Lexikon 82 typewriter, an exceptional piece of typewriter and design history that is both rare and striking in appearance. It is the epitome of mid-century modern Italian tech and has a timeless appeal. It is literally a museum piece as well. Olivetti introduced the machine in 1976. Included in the images shown are several ads the company ran at the time. Its design - by Mario Bellini, Antonio Macchi Cassia, and Gianni Passini - was considered so exceptional that it is included in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Design Collection. This particular typewriter has a unique provenance, as it is from the estate of Jerry Ash, the son of Sam Ash, the musician and entrepreneur who founded the Sam Ash Music Store chain in 1924. Sam Ash is the largest chain of family-owned music stores in the United States. Jerry doesn't seem to have typed on it that much - the typewriter still has the original Keyboard Release sticker intended for those not used to the keyboard layout. It has the original user manual/instruction booklet, the warranty card, and the unpacking instructions, not to mention the high-tech molded carrying case. It also comes with what's left of Jerry's Smith-Corona Correction Tabs, which cover up typos. A PDF of the user's manual is online here - https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/OlivettiLexikon82.pdf As you can see from the typing sample, it does type but the ribbon is in need of replacement. This is completely electro-mechanical; there are no electronic components that can fail as a result. However, mechanical typewriters do require adjustment and tune-ups from time to time and, while this remained carefully secreted away in its case in Jerry's home, it probably needs some TLC. Other than turning it on and typing what you see on the piece of paper, we did not test the machine. It is sold as is. It will be packed extremely well in its very rugged travel case and then in a strong, size-and-weight appropriate carton. Typewriter SOLD AS IS as a collectible that also happens to type words. Please note that we do not have the originals of the adverts, they are just being used to illustrate the typewrtier's history and they are not included in the sale. Questions? Please ask.
Price: 299 USD
Location: Yorktown Heights, New York
End Time: 2024-08-16T17:34:59.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: Olivetti
Type: Electric
Year: 1976
Features: Portable, With Case
Country/Region of Manufacture: Unknown
Modified Item: No
Vintage: Yes
