Red ABS Plastic Valentine Typewriter Ettore Sottsass - Olivetti - Mid-Century, I

The Olivetti Valentine typewriter, designed by Ettore Sottsass and Perry King and launched in 1969, is one of the most iconic industrial design pieces of the 20th century. Bold, portable, and unapologetically playful, it was conceived as a rebellion against the dullness of traditional office machines. This example is finished in the classic red ABS plastic shell—its most emblematic and collectible color—and features an AZERTY keyboard layout.
 
Although commonly associated with Italian manufacture, this particular model was produced at the Olivetti plant in Barcelona, Spain, as clearly embossed on the underside of the case. This detail adds a layer of historical interest, illustrating Olivetti’s global production capabilities during its heyday.
 
The typewriter comes with its original red carrying case, which attaches ingeniously via rubber straps—both of which are intact and in excellent condition, a rarity. Every mechanical detail functions smoothly, making it not only a display-worthy design object but a fully usable writing tool.
 
A staple of museum collections including MoMA and the Triennale di Milano, the Valentine typewriter stands as a testament to Sottsass’s humanistic approach to design. This is more than a machine—it’s a cultural icon of modernism, mobility, and expressive function.