Soviet typewriter “Listvitsa” PK-435

[Thomas Savage]

Hello everyone!
I recently found something interesting while going through items in my grandpa’s house, and I thought this would be the perfect place to ask about it.
It’s a Soviet typewriter “Listvitsa” PK-435 that appears to be brand-new, never used, still in its original factory packaging with the packing certificate and preservation certificate dated 1988 (ТУ 3-115-81).
I’m curious about two things:

1. Is this model considered rare or special among collectors?
2. Should I keep it sealed in its original packaging, or is it better to open it and enjoy it?

I’m torn between preserving it as a “time capsule” or taking it out to appreciate the machine itself.
Would love to hear any opinions or expertise from this community!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Alan]

What a find @Thomas Savage! I haven't seen a PK-435 so I am not sure how rare it is, but I think yours being mint in box with certificates makes it a gem. If you want to preserve collector interest, keep it sealed. If you’d rather enjoy the tactile joy of typing, you can always open it up, either way, it’s a win.

How about you @phdezra @typistman? Thoughts?

 

[Thomas Savage]

What a find @Thomas Savage! I haven't seen a PK-435 so I am not sure how rare it is, but I think yours being mint in box with certificates makes it a gem. If you want to preserve collector interest, keep it sealed. If you’d rather enjoy the tactile joy of typing, you can always open it up, either way, it’s a win.

How about you @phdezra @typistman? Thoughts?

Thank you for the kind words! I really appreciate it.
Honestly, I would love to open it and play with it because the machine looks amazing. The only downside is that it uses the Russian alphabet (Cyrillic), and even though I’m semi-literate in Russian, there wouldn’t be much real-world use for me—other than a party trick or rewriting Crime and Punishment.


Also, I think I forgot to attach the pictures earlier, so I’m adding them now!

 

[crankyd0od]

The pictures look fantastic! Machines with Cyrillic keyboards are rarer, so they’re valued by collectors. Even if you don’t type Russian often, it’s still fun to experiment with the layout. I would!