Subtle and yet full of character, the Lettera 22 is a classic among portable typewriters. This one in bright blue was made in Glasgow in 1961 and types very nicely in Elite at 12 characters per inch. Serviced, with a new ribbon installed, this Lettera 22 is ready to work out of the box.

This Lettera 22 is sold at a reduced price because the front of its aluminium shell has a very, very slight lean to the right. This imperfection is inconspicuous and not really noticeable unless you look for it. There are no cracks to the rest of the aluminium shell. Nonetheless, this small flaw is reflected in the typewriter's price.

Apart from the above, this Lettera 22 is in great cosmetic condition. The paint is in wonderful shape, and, having been cleaned, polished, and waxed, it is a rich and reflective sky-blue. There is a tiny graze above the top left corner of the keyboard, where the main blue shell meets the ribbon cover, as well as a miniscule scratch on the bottom of the left side, towards the front of the typewriter. Otherwise, the paint has not aged a day.

All nickel and chrome-plated pieces have been polished with metal polish and are in good shape. The foldable nickel-plated carriage return arm, quite a unique and smart design, is in great shape. The plastic platen knobs and keytops are in good condition and have received a plastic polish.

This Lettera 22 has been dismantled and the internal mechanics have been cleaned with a suitable solvent. The platen and feed rollers have been cleaned with rubber rejuvinator - the platen has hardened with age, as is the case with many vintage typewriters, and a backing sheet of paper can be used to soften the typing experience (although, the typebars of Lettera 22s strike pretty lightly to begin with). The feed rollers are in good, soft condition and grip paper well. The rubber feet are in good condition and grip work surfaces well.

Mechanically this Lettera 22 is in fine form - the basket shift is light, and the silent carriage return is steady and smooth. The bell rings, margins work, and the touch control under the ribbon cover provides a slight increase or decrease in the pressure needed from fingers to type. The backspace, shift-lock, margin release, automatic ribbon reverse, tabulator, line space selector and variable line spacing knob all work as intended.

The case is in good condition and has been lightly cleaned. Its exterior has some marks, as shown in the photos. The zips both work. The inside of the case has some age marks and a little bit of wear to the bottom leatherette pocket. The handle is in good condition and can be used to carry the closed case.

Ready to type on arrival, this typewriter will be expertly packed for safe delivery. The dimensions of the typewriter are 27 x 37 x 10 cm (w x l x h - height includes the carriage return lever folded out for use), weight - 3.7 kg.