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Tom Hanks stops by Southeast Portland typewriter shop

The Oscar-winning actor was in the Rose City to promote his new novel, “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.”

Tom Hanks stands next to Antony Valoppi, the owner of Type Space.

The Oscar-winning actor promised to send a signed typewriter from his own collection to Type Space.

Photo courtesy of Antony Valoppi

A small business in Southeast Portland’s Richmond neighborhood had a “You’ve Got Mail” moment last week when a manager for Tom Hanks emailed, saying the Oscar-winning actor wanted to stop by. Antony Valoppi, the owner of Type Space, proceeded to have a “Sleepless in Seattle” night to prepare for the special visit.

Valoppi told The Oregonian/Oregon Live that when Hanks stopped by the next day, the two chatted about their shared passion: typewriters. Hanks was in Portland to promote his new novel, “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.” He jokingly posted about making frantic, eleventh-hour changes to the book via typewriter.

Before he left the shop, Hanks mentioned that he’d been searching for a Smith Corona to add to his collection of approx. 200 typewriters. Valoppi happened to have one that he sold to Hanks for $185.

The Portland business owner said the rumors about Hanks are true: he’s simply a “really great guy.”

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