Sears Courier (Olivetti Lettera 22)

$245 (plus shipping if outside of the Detroit area)

Meet “Tess,” a working 1968 Sears Courier typewriter made by Olivetti that a Dayton, Ohio librarian bought to help people with their resumes.

Made by renowned typewriter maker Olivetti, this typewriter is really just an Olivetti Lettera 22 relabeled for Sears. One of the most famous typewriter models ever made, Lettera 22s have won design awards since the 1950s for its renowned Italian maker, and are even part of the permanent collection of famed museums like New York’s MOMA.

This specific ultra-portable typewriter is ultra-cool in its original brick red paint on its steel body. All of its keys strike well, aside from a slightly sticky“4” key. Its carriage moves smoothly. Its little bell dings at the end of each line. It even includes its original metal ribbon spools, which come loaded with a good black ribbon so you will be ready to type the moment it arrives. The typeface/font is a standard serif which is 12 characters per inch (Elite).

Cosmetically, this machine is in good condition, but has a couple of small dings to the paint where the lid meets the body. Please see the photos to visually inspect the typewriter. Mechanically, please note: the platen (roller) is a bit looser than average so it has a slight rattle on some surfaces, additionally the space bar can be slightly reluctant when you first begin using it (which tends to go away after a few minutes). We have priced this rare RED Olivetti-made machine accordingly.

At an ultra slim 12”x12”x3”, no wonder songwriters like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen used and loved Lettera 22s.

This Sears version comes in its original square, turquoise plastic travel case, which is in good condition, especially for over 50 years old.

Notable for a nearly 60-year-old manual typewriter, the ultra slim 12”x12”x3” typewriter only has very small cosmetic blemishes on the back edge.

Detroit Type Works offers a variety of working manual typewriters made between about 1950 and1980 as well as typewriter ephemera. For shipment, we take great care in packing each typewriter well, with the carriage stabilized, the type basket packed so the letters don’t move, plenty of bubble wrap inside the case to make the machine snug, ample bubble wrap cocooning the case, and a sturdy box that snugly fits all of the packing material cushioning the machine.