There are 6 other images of this object. See our image rights statement.
Object Timeline
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Valentine Typewriter And Case
This is a Typewriter and Case. It was designed by Ettore Sottsass. It is dated ca. 1969 and we acquired it in 1986. Its medium is molded abs plastic, metal, rubber. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.
Intended by Sottsass, a designer and architect, to be the “antimachine machine,” the Valentine made a vivid statement in a market dominated by somber appliances. The bright red plastic casing brought emotion to the typewriter, differentiating it from business machines and inspiring the literary crowd.
This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Weekends With My Valentine.
This object was
donated by
Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor.
It is credited Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor.
- Hansen Writing Ball (Commercial) (Denmark)
- brass, ferrous alloy, paper.
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, On deposit from....
- 14.2012.42
- Telephone, Princess
- thermoplastic case, steel base, electronic components .
- Anonymous lender.
- 15.2013.8
- Tellatouch Braille Writer (USA)
- plastic, metal and leather.
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, 306619.11.
- 14.2012.71
Our curators have highlighted 7 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:
![A molded plastic telephone wih red, flat, rectangular face on a black housing. A black square panel on the front left contains circular number keys in turquoise, oval function keys in red and purple, and circular volume keys in pale yellow. Beside it is a pale grey panel with [Copenhagen / Bang & Ofulsen] printed on it in black, with the word [Copenhagen] larger and underlined in black. A red rectangular handset sits horizontally in a black cradle above the key and logo panels. Black spiralled cord connects the handset to the housing.](https://images.collection.cooperhewitt.org/43818_d309dd60a6c9b228_n.jpg "BeoCom Model 2200 Telephone")
- BeoCom Model 2200 Telephone
- plastic, electronic components.
- Gift of Arango Design Foundation.
- 1994-31-122-a/c
- Poster, Olivetti
- lithograph on paper.
- Gift of Milton Glaser.
- 1979-42-6
- Correcting Selectric II, model 895 Typewriter And Typing Elements
- aluminum, steel, molded plastic.
- Gift of Robert M. Greenberg.
- 2017-51-18-a/h
Its dimensions are
H x W x D (a): 10.3 x 33 x 34 cm (4 1/16 in. x 13 in. x 13 3/8 in.) H x W x D (a, b: with case): 11.5 x 34.5 x 35.5 cm (4 1/2 in. x 13 9/16 in. x 14 in.)
It has the following markings
On top "made in Olivetti plant/Barcelona - Spain."
Cite this object as
Valentine Typewriter And Case; Designed by Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917–2007); Italy; molded abs plastic, metal, rubber; H x W x D (a): 10.3 x 33 x 34 cm (4 1/16 in. x 13 in. x 13 3/8 in.) H x W x D (a, b: with case): 11.5 x 34.5 x 35.5 cm (4 1/2 in. x 13 9/16 in. x 14 in.); Gift of Barry Friedman and Patricia Pastor; 1986-99-40-a,b
Collections in Motion: Valentine Typewriter
Senior objects conservator Annie Hall opens up the case for the iconic Valentine typewriter, replaces the ribbon, and types a short message. This is a study object, not the same typewriter housed...
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Making Design and IDEO Selects: Works from the Permanent Collection.
