Hi! I'm new to typewriters but recently got back into writing more frequently and because I am easily distracted and am trying to be on screens less in general I went down the typewriter rabbit-hole. And here we are! 

After doing probably too much research, I originally wanted to get an Olivetti Lettera 32, but I couldn't find a reasonably priced (for me) QWERTY one. And then I saw this one at an estate auction online. It was untested and I wasn't sure if it was even going to be in working condition but it came today and I'm so pleased! I got it for about 100 dollars all said and done, and it came with its case, original manual, and little cleaning tools which are very fun to see. 

Other than needing a new ribbon (the black is super faint but the red works decently) and the platen being hard as a rock, it seems to work perfectly? 

For now I am just using the red and I am putting some medium weight watercolor paper behind my typing paper and that seems to make it quieter. But I also understand that loudness is kind of the name of the game with this particular one.

Luckily enough, I have a typewriter repair store in my neighborhood (I live in Queens, NY) so I will likely take it there to sort out the platen issue. That said, if anyone has tips or advice on that or anything else, I would love any and all input! 

Anyway, just thought I'd share! I've definitely got some learning to do but I'm really excited and have already spent a few hours typing away today and am really loving it. 

My first typewriter - Hermes 3000 (third generation, I think)