According to typewriterdatabase.com, this typewriter, serial number 346730 was made in 1957. According to tw-db.com, it was made in either 1950, 1954, or 1957. ![]()
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While information on the Olivetti Lettera's history is readily available, local histories involving Olivetti typewriters are few and far between. However, here is a brief timeline:
- May 9, 1950: The E.W. Hall Company begins advertising the "Sensational Olivetti" printing calculator in The Seattle Times.
- 1950: Sears begins importing the Olivetti Lettera 22 as the Tower Chieftain
- November 23, 1953: The Typewriter Clinic begins advertising Olivetti in the Classified Section of the Seattle Times: "47 PORTABLE Typewriters--All Makes--Save $$ on Olivetti $5 Layaway for Xmas. Typewriter Clinic MA. 6525 1913 3rd Ave"
- September 1, 1954: The Typewriter Clinic changes their ad to " $14.95 ADD. MACHINES New small Lightning Adding Mach. Also Olivetti Port. Typewriter. Typewriter Clinic 1912 3rd Avenue MA. 6524" By this point, The Typewriter Clinic had moved from its previous location to a new location across Third Avenue from its old location.
- October 24, 1955: The Typewriter Clinic begins advertising in the Business section: "See our OLIVETTI MONEY SAVING Office Machinery Before You Buy. Typewriters, Adding Machines & Calculators. Typewriter Clinic 1912 3rd Avenue MAin 6524"
- 1959: Olivetti purchases Underwood Corporation, forming Underwood-Olivetti (later Olivetti-Underwood)
- April 3, 1961: Olivetti runs its first full page ad, featuring its full line of products in several newspapers nation-wide, using the "Underwood" name.
- September 3, 1961: Frederick & Nelson begins advertising that they sell Underwood-Olivetti typewriters.
- 1964: The Olivetti Lettera 22 is replaced by the Olivetti-Underwood Lettera 32. Lettera 22 production continues for other markets, and Sears-Roebuck.
- August 31, 1965: The Bon Marche begins advertising that they sell Olivetti-Underwood typewriters.
- November 11, 1965: Main Office Machines begins advertising the new Olivetti-Underwood Lettera 32.
- March 17, 1966: J.K. Gill's begins advertising the Olivetti-Underwood Lettera 32.
- June 9, 1966: Zale's begins advertising the Olivetti-Underwood Dora.
- August 28, 1966: J.K. Gill's features an Olivetti-Underwood Lettera 32 in a full-page ad.