1972 Olivetti Praxis 48

The Olivetti Praxis is perhaps one of the most famous electric typewriters ever designed. Created by legendary Italian designer Ettore Sottsass, this machine features bold and unique architectural elements that earned it the Compasso d'Oro award for industrial design in 1970. It also features one of the most unique keyboard designs ever manufactured. It is a truly beautiful machine, but was unfortunately overshadowed by Sottsass’s other Olivetti typewriter, the Valentine. As such, the Praxis 48 remains somewhat of a rarity.

This particular machine does come with it’s original power cable and has been completely overhauled. It comes to you at a discounted price, however, due to the state in which it arrived. It was used for decades in an office environment before being tossed aside as junk. It has some yellowing to the plastic, scuffs, stains, and a few other blemishes including gobs of glue that were applied to a few places for whatever reason. Most of it has cleaned up very well, and the machine runs good! It types blazing fast with beautiful print and a brand new two color ribbon, however due to a series of drops at some point in it’s life, the tab set function is not reliable. It will set tabs, but just not always, and will sometimes get stuck (which can be remedied by releasing the carriage). The power jack in the back is also cracked, but it accepts the cable and the wiring is pristine. Due to it’s delicate condition, I recommend pickup, but shipping is an option under the understanding that things MAY go wrong.

It is certainly ready for use, whether that be for letters or more demanding work, and though it has a few permanent points of damage, it worked altogether well enough (and is such a unique piece) that I did not have the heart to scrap it for parts. It is a wonderful working collector’s piece, or for the casual typist, should you wish it to be.

If you are local, you are more than welcome to come try it out!