From the UK to California in 24 Hours – How My Vintage Typewriter Changed the Way I Write

By Claire M., Los Angeles, CA

I’m sitting at my desk in Los Angeles with the windows open, sun pouring in, and the steady clack-clack-ding of a beautiful vintage typewriter beneath my fingers. It’s a restored Olivetti Lettera 32, seafoam green, and it’s changed the way I write.

What’s wild is this typewriter came all the way from Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters in the UK—and it arrived at my doorstep in California less than 24 hours after I ordered it.

Yes. Really.

Let me share how this journey started—and why I’m now telling everyone I know: if you’re looking to buy a vintage typewriter in the USA, look no further than these experts across the pond.

The Search for a Better Way to Write

I’m a screenwriter, and like a lot of creatives, I’ve been battling distraction. My laptop became a battlefield of open tabs, Slack messages, email pings, and doom-scrolling. I missed the purity of just writing—just being with my thoughts.

That’s when the idea of using a typewriter came to me. Not as a novelty, but as a tool to disconnect, slow down, and fall back in love with writing.

Why I Chose Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters

I spent hours researching online, scrolling through forums and watching YouTube reviews. Again and again, one name kept coming up: Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters. The more I looked, the more I realized I didn’t want a fixer-upper or something “untested.” I wanted a restored machine—one that was fully functional, cared for, and had a story behind it.

I found them through a recommendation in a Reddit thread, then saw they were featured on the BBC's The Repair Shop. I was impressed: over 5,000 machines restored, a worldwide client base, and a reputation for excellence. Their website was stunning—gorgeous product photos, clear descriptions, and most importantly, transparency about condition, origin, and performance.

I fell in love with a 1960s Olivetti Lettera 32, one of the most iconic portable typewriters of its era. It was seafoam green, beautifully photographed, and described with loving detail—including the fact that it had a newly fitted platen (that’s the rubber roller that presses the paper against the typebars) and had undergone a full restoration.

No guesswork. No worrying. Just trust.

Ordering – Effortless and Reassuring

I finally decided on a restored 1960s Olivetti Lettera 32 in a stunning shade of seafoam green. The ordering process on their website couldn’t have been easier. It was clear, mobile-friendly (I did it all on my phone), and I appreciated how much information they provided about each machine—right down to the font style and key condition.

Once I placed my order, I immediately received a warm confirmation email that felt genuinely personal, not automated. What I really appreciated was how they kept me updated every step of the way—within hours, I had a tracking number and was told it would arrive next day from the UK.

I remember thinking: From the UK to California in one day? Surely not…

Express Next-Day Delivery – UK to California, Seriously

Here’s where things got incredible.

Later that day, I received tracking details from FedEx showing that my typewriter had already been collected and was en route via Express Next Day Delivery. This wasn’t some vague shipping window—this was precise, real-time tracking from the UK, all the way to the West Coast of the USA.

The next morning, before my coffee even brewed, there was a knock at my door.

There it was. Less than 24 hours after placing the order, a beautifully labelled box sat on my doorstep. I stood there for a second in disbelief—How did they do that?!

This kind of service is rare—even within the U.S., much less internationally. But Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters clearly have their logistics down to a science. That alone would’ve been enough for a five-star review.

But then I opened the box.

Packaging – A Love Letter in Cardboard

I’ve never unboxed something so carefully and thoughtfully packed.

First, the outer shipping box was tough, double-walled, and clearly marked as fragile. Inside a thick layer of padding—not an inch was left unprotected. The machine itself was wrapped in soft cloth, secured with twine, and placed lovingly inside its original vintage carry case.

And let me pause here: the carry case? It looked like something from a Wes Anderson film. Compact, stylish, retro in the best way—like it had travelled through time from a 1960s film set. I half expected to find a handwritten screenplay tucked inside.

Also included in the box?

• A note thanking me for my order and how to unlock the carriage. 
  

• Barcode to direct me to the relevant  YouTube they prepared describing in detail how to use the Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter. 

• A complimentary handmade typewriter pad—thick felt to protect my desk and keep the machine stable
  

The entire presentation felt more like receiving a collector’s piece than a functional tool. I actually paused before unwrapping it because it felt so special.

The First Typing Session – Pure Magic

When I finally sat down to type, I was transported.

The newly fitted platen gave each keystroke a soft, satisfying impact—firm but not harsh. The keys themselves were beautifully balanced, with perfect travel and response. I didn’t have to press hard; everything felt just right.

Even the ribbon, pre-installed and perfectly inked, left rich, consistent impressions. Every letter looked crisp on the page. No smudging. No sticking. Just smooth, beautiful typing.

There’s a rhythm to this machine. A flow. I sat and typed for nearly two hours without realizing how much time had passed. The gentle ding at the end of each line felt like encouragement. The lack of a screen meant no distractions, no temptation to edit as I go—just raw creativity pouring out onto paper.

A Decision That Changed How I Write

I’ve never felt more connected to my work than I do now, using this typewriter.

It doesn’t beep. It doesn’t ping. It doesn’t update or crash or tempt me with notifications. It just writes.

Every part of this experience—from the restoration to the next-day international shipping, to the flawless packaging, the complimentary accessories, and the exquisite attention to detail—was beyond my expectations.

If you're in the US and looking to buy a vintage typewriter—whether you’re in California like me, or anywhere across the states—don’t waste time on questionable listings or half-working antiques.

Choose craftsmanship. Choose care.
Choose Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters.

I did—and I’ll never write the same way again.