Great news for Tom Hanks today^ with the official announcement of 21327 Typewriter – the latest LEGO Ideas set.
I wasn’t sure about this one when it was first approved and to be honest, I am still unsure about it.
This 2079 piece set features some very faithful typewriter inclusions such as a center typebar that rises each time a letter key is pressed, linked to the carriage which moves across as you type, as well as a platen roller that real paper can be fed into. I got that from the press release. I have no idea what that means.
A special feature of this set is that each one comes with a letter written and signed by Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, chairman of the LEGO Group.
If you are somebody who fits on that Venn diagram overlap of LEGO fans and Typewriter fans then you’ll be able to grab this set for $329.99 when it is released on 16th June 2021 via LEGO VIP early access. Full availability from 1st July.
Check out additional images and the press release below.
^Tom Hanks is a well known collector of typewriters.
Image Gallery
Press Release
THE LEGO GROUP REVEALS ELEGANT NEW TYPEWRITER SET BASED ON WINNING FAN DESIGN
Date: 9th June 2021
The LEGO Group has revealed the new LEGO® Ideas Typewriter set which is set to delight the most seasoned wordsmiths and fans of all things vintage. Designed by LEGO fan, Steve Guinness from Chester, UK, as part of the LEGO® Ideas platform, the LEGO Ideas Typewriter is based on a contemporary typewriter model of a bygone era, including the one used by LEGO Group founder Ole Kirk Christiansen.
Intricately designed to mirror the function and tactility of a classic typewriter, the LEGO Ideas Typewriter features a center typebar that rises each time a letter key is pressed, linked to the carriage which moves across as you type, as well as a platen roller that real paper can be fed into.
In a fitting nod to the lost art of letter writing, the premium quality LEGO Typewriter set also comes with a letter written and signed by Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, chairman of the LEGO Group and a fourth-generation member of the family which still privately owns the business to this day.
The original concept for the typewriter came through LEGO fan Steve Guinness’ submission to the LEGO Ideas platform, a LEGO initiative that takes new ideas that have been imagined and voted for by fans and turns them into reality. Discussing his idea, Steve said: “I wanted to create something totally different from anything that LEGO has ever done before and showcase that you really can make anything out of LEGO. I bought a vintage typewriter for my research and then played around with bricks and the mechanism until I was happy with the design. I hope it will bring nostalgia to adult fans like me, and wonder and curiosity to younger fans who might not have ever seen a real typewriter!”
While the concept of the typewriter dates back to the early 18th Century, Steve’s design, and the LEGO design team’s development of it, captures the styling cues of the modern 20th century typewriters, which still have a cult following today.
Federico Begher, VP of Global Marketing at LEGO Group commented: “It’s not hard to see why the vintage typewriter has such enduring appeal, and Steve’s incredible replica is a thoroughly worthy LEGO Ideas success story.
“For many, the escape from the connected world to the simplicity of the typewriter is a similar experience to the mindful process of building with LEGO bricks. Here, we have a LEGO set that combines these two worlds seamlessly and like its real-life counterparts, is something LEGO fans will be proud to display in their homes.”
The LEGO Typewriter is available to buy from 16th June 2021 via LEGO VIP early access and will be on sale on LEGO.com/ideas from 1st July.
FURTHER PRODUCT INFO: LEGO® TYPEWRITER 21327
- Age – 18+
- Model measures:
- Height: 12cm
- Width: 27 cm
- Length: 26 cm
- 2079 pieces
- Based on an original LEGO Ideas design by Steve Guinness, which achieved over 10,000 votes of support via the LEGO Ideas platform
- Features include a center typebar that rises each time a letter key is pressed, linked to the carriage which moves across as you type, as well as a platen roller that real paper can be fed into.
- Every set comes with a signed letter from Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, chairman of the LEGO Group, translated into 43 different languages
- Price: $199.99/€199.99/329.99 AUD/269.99 CAD
If the key caps are printed, this is a must buy. If they’re stickers, in my hands this will look a mess ;).
Edit : just checked – they’re printed *thumbs up*
I am hoping the letters will be available on Lego’s bricks and pieces site. Following their normal prices for printed round bricks they should be 22 cents each so under $6 for the lot, although extras of a few will be required.
Should have said I am not interested in the set at all – just the letters.
This is an amazing set technically, from the look of things. I share the scepticism about who this is for as it seems quite a niche item – but I saw a lot of non-lego people reacting on twitter today. We are possibly underestimating its appeal to writer-types.
For me this comes into the category of sets I would absolutely love for the build experience, but am happy not to actually own. If I did a lot of mocs it would be great for the parts. Hopefully they will have one on display in the lego store for me to admire, but much as I think it’s brilliant will probably pass.