Special Edition 1990 FIFA World Cup "Italia 90" Olivetti Typewriter (Azure Blue)

Finished in the iconic shade of Azzurro—the legendary blue of the Italian National Football Team (Gli Azzurri)—this special edition Olivetti typewriter carries a rich piece of sports and design history.

Manufactured as part of the official press centre equipment sponsored by Olivetti for the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, this rare model was crafted specifically for journalists and sports writers reporting on the tournament. This machine is both a piece of world football history and a fully operational writing instrument.

Mechanical Condition & Workshop Restoration

• 100% Fully Functional: Professionally dismantled, deep-cleaned, segment-flushed, and mechanically recalibrated in our UK workshop.

• Smooth Typing Action: Responsive key return and smooth carriage movement, ready for daily writing, creative drafting, or display.

• Platen is like new, Not new, but not used or typed on much. 

• Fresh Black/Red Ribbon Installed: Fitted with a brand-new 1/2-inch black typewriter ribbon on original Olivetti plastic spools, 

  Cosmetic Condition

  • Body & Frame: Excellent overall vintage condition with light, authentic signs of age and minor superficial surface marks consistent with genuine 1990 press use.

  • Keycaps: Original keytops are clean, crisp, and fully legible with minimal vintage wear.

  • Carrying Case: Includes its original protective shoulder carrying case or bag.  

  Keyboard Layout & Technical Specifications

  • Brand & Model: Olivetti "Italia 90" World Cup Special Edition

  • Year of Manufacture: Circa 1990 (Italy)

  • Colour: Official FIFA Italia '90 Azure Blue (Azzurro)

  • Keyboard Layout: Authentic Italian QZERTY Layout

  • Typeface / Font: Classic PICA Typeface (10 characters per inch / 10 CPI)

  • Ribbon Compatibility: Standard 1/2-inch fabric ribbon (Group 4 / Olivetti spool fitment)

  A Collector’s Prize for Football & Typewriter Enthusiasts

  Whether added to a private football memorabilia collection, displayed in a sports library, or used for daily creative writing, the Italia 90 Olivetti represents a rare intersection of Italian industrial design, media history, and World Cup heritage.

  🌍 Global Shipping, Timelines & Tariff Information

  • 🇺🇸 United States & 🇬🇧 United Kingdom Shipping (100% Free & All-Inclusive): Standard local & international shipping to the US and UK is completely free and included in the listed price. Furthermore, all US import tariffs and customs duties are fully prepaid by our workshop. There are absolutely zero hidden checkout fees, surprise border holds, or cash-on-delivery demands at your door.

  • 🌐 International Shipping (Europe, Australia, Canada & Rest of World): We dispatch all website orders in less than 24 hours. We offer flexible, fully tracked premium shipping options calculated at checkout:

    • Standard International Delivery: Safely delivered via premium air courier directly to your doorstep in 3 to 7 working days (with prompt EU dispatch and highly competitive rates to Australia and remote destinations).

    • Express International Delivery Upgrade: Arrives at your door in just 1 to 3 working days for a small additional fee.

  • Proprietary Global Packaging Protocol: To ensure a 1930s classic survives international air travel perfectly, we mechanically lock down the carriage, insulate the outer frame in multi-layered shock-absorbing cushioning, and suspend the entire unit within a heavy-duty, double-walled outer shipping carton.

  🤝 The "Ready-to-Write" Package & Lifetime Support

  • Unbox & Start Writing: Your Imperial Good Companion arrives pre-installed with a fresh ink ribbon and our primary step-by-step startup instructions designed by our workshop team. Simply unbox, release the carriage lock, and begin typing immediately.

  • Video Learning Academy: Your package includes a direct link to our dedicated YouTube video tutorial, teaching you exactly how to type on, care for, adjust the margins, and change ink ribbons on your specific Imperial Model 1 typewriter.

  • Lifetime Technical Partnership: Your relationship with our workshop does not end at delivery. Every typewriter we sell comes with lifetime technical support. You receive direct email and video-call troubleshooting access to Walid and Joujou, the celebrated restoration experts from the BBC's The Repair Shop and major Netflix productions.

  📖 Questions about Olivetti typewriters or ribbon replacement? Explore our master guide: Typewriter FAQ: The Ultimate 100 Questions