Photo: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP / Getty Images
Legendary actor and all-around good guy Tom Hanks has fulfilled a promise made two years ago to a small business owner in Portland, Oregon, by sending him a vintage typewriter from his personal collection. Antony Valoppi, owner of the Type Space shop, recently shared on Instagram that he received the autographed machine, calling it a “much anticipated” gift. He posted photos of the unboxing and a snapshot from 2023 when he first met Hanks during the actor’s book tour.
Valoppi explains that he and the star spent an hour talking about typewriters during that first meeting, with Hanks purchasing an antique machine and pledging to send another from his collection. Months passed without the gift, until Valoppi recently contacted Hanks’ team, who realized the typewriter had not been sent. Days later, a 1955 Rheinmetall with a German keyboard, signed by the actor, arrived at the shop.
Valoppi described the gift as “priceless” and invited people to see it at his store. Hanks, who owns more than 300 typewriters dating back to the early 1900s, has shared his collection before, including lending dozens for a museum exhibit earlier this year. He’s also gifted typewriters in the past, including one to an Australian boy in 2020, alongside a letter encouraging him to use it to write back.
Source: NY POST