Showing posts with label seidel & naumann. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seidel & naumann. Show all posts

28 Sept 2016

Erika News: August 1938

Mitteilungen vom Hause Seidel & Naumann

Messages from the House of Seidel & Naumann

Download the PDF

I recently bought this 12-page publication on ebay.de without knowing exactly what was inside. (Suffice to say, I was well-pleased!) I'd never seen anything quite like it before, so I assumed the intended audience might have been the Ideal and Erika dealers, rather than the general public. This month's issue includes topics such as the new look for Erika typewriters, travelling repair kits, Erika and Ideal typewriters for the blind, and a collection of stories and news items about Erika and Ideal. I present here 8 of the pages with the original German text along with a rough English translation thanks to Google.


Erika im neuen Gewande!

Diese große Abbildung zeigt ERIKA Modell M in ihrem neuen Kleid. Die Abdeckhaube läßt sich leicht abnehmen, indem man sie nach vorn kippt. Sie schützt die Farbbandspulen in vorbildlicher Weise vor Staub!


Gewiß—diese Neuerung ist keine umwälzende technische Errungenschaft, wie wir sie sonst bei ERIKA gewöhnt sind.—Nein, es ist in der Hauptsache nur ein neues Kleid. Aber ERIKA ist, wie der Name sagt, weiblichen Geschlechts und was bedeutet da nicht ein neues Kleid! Es kann alles bedeuten, wenn das neue Kleid gefällt... Und wir hoffen zuversichtlich, daß Sie diese neue Umhüllung ebenso modern wie praktisch, ebenso schön wie fortschrittlich finden. Übrigens noch eins: Die Farbbandbewegung ist verbessert worden und zeigt dieselbe Form wie bei der IDEAL: Das Band wird hinter 2 Hebeln entlang geführt, die die Farbbandbewegung automatisch umschalten!

Erika in the new guise!

This large figure Erika Model M in her new dress. The cover can be removed easily by being tilted forward. It protects the ribbon spools in exemplary fashion from dust!

Certainly—this innovation is not a revolutionary technical achievement, as we're used to at Erika.—No, It's just a new dress on the old merits. But Erika is, as the name suggests, feminine, and what does not as a new dress! It can mean anything if the new dress like... And we hope confidently that you will find this new shell as modern as handy and as beautiful as progressive. Incidentally, one more thing: The ribbon movement has been enhanced and shows the same form as in the Ideal: The ribbon is guided behind 2 levers along that automatically shift the ribbon movement!


Kundendienst

Äußerlich sieht diese Tasche aus wie jede andere Aktentasche auch. Ihr Träger fällt im Straßenverkehr keinem auf und niemand ahnt, daß darin eigentlich eine komplette Werkstatt zum Kunden gebracht wird. Darin liegt aber gerade die neue und erfolgbringende Idee: Auch beim Kunden stets das Originalwerkzeug zur Hand zu haben, das kleine Schäden sicher und zuverlässig abstellt! Da braucht die Maschine nicht mehr abgeholt werden: Ein Griff und es klappt wieder! Ja, die Ideal- und Erika-Leute sind eben fixe Kerle und die Ideal- und Erika-Maschinen sind immer einsatzbereit. Die neue Kunden- dienst-Tasche trägt dazu bei, daß dieses Ideal mehr und mehr verwirklicht wird. Bitte, widmen Sie dieser Frage Ihre ganze Aufmerksamkeit... es wird sich bestimmt lohnen.

Customer Service

Externally this bag looks like any other briefcase. Your carrier drops in traffic and no one suspects that actually a complete workshop is therein brought to customers. Therein lies the very new and profit-making idea: Even when customers always have the original equipment at hand, which is based safe and reliable small damages! Since the machine does not need to be picked up: A handle and it works again! Yes, the Ideal and Erika-people are just fixe guys and the Ideal and Erika machines are always ready for use. The new Customer Service Bag helps that this ideal is more and more realized. Please give this matter your attention... it is determined to be worthwhile.



Ideal Erika für Blinde

Wissen Sie, daß es IDEAL- und ERIKA-Maschinen für Blinde gibt? Das heißt, sie sind nicht nur für Blinde, sondern können auch von Sehenden geschrieben werden. Der Unterschied gegen die normalen Maschinen ist folgender: Auf den Tasten und auf der Papierhalteschiene sind kleine Erhöhungen angebracht, die den Zeichen der Blindenschrift entsprechen. Der blinde Schreiber kann also, soweit er nicht durch die Ausbildung in einer Blindschreibe-Methode dieser Hilfe entbehren kann, jederzeit fühlen, ob er den richtigen Buchstaben anschlägt bzw. den Platz auf dem Papierblatt richtig einteilt.

Es gibt bereits eine Anzahl blinder Stenotypisten bzw. Stenotypistinnen‚ die auf der IDEAL ausgebildet sind. Ebenso bedienen sich Blinde für den Verkehr mit Sehenden der ERIKA. Nach unserer Kenntnis arbeiten die blinden berufsmäßigen Maschinenschreiber und -schreiberinnen durchweg zur Zufriedenheit ihrer Arbeitgeber. Hat der Blinde einmal die Bedienung der IDEAL oder ERIKA gelernt, so arbeitet er, da er durch die Außenwelt nicht abgelenkt wird, mit höchster gedanklicher Konzentration. Wie aber erfolgt die Aufnahme eines Diktats? Es gibt drei Möglichkeiten: I. das unmittelbare Diktat in die Schreibmaschine, 2. durch Besprechung der Wachswalze einer Sprechmaschine (Diktaphon), 3. durch ein Stenogramm in Blindenstenografie. Der Weg über das Stenogramm wird in der Regel vorgezogen werden. Der Blinde schreibt dabei das Diktat mit einer Stenografiermaschine nieder. Durch das Anschlagen der Tasten dieser Maschine prägen sich auf einem Papierstreifen die Punkte der Blindenstenografie ein. Das Stenografieren geht Übrigens sehr flott vor sich. Nach Beendigung des Diktats reißt der Blinde den Papierstreifen ab, legt ihn vor sich, tastet ihn mit den Fingern ab und überträgt nun den Wortlaut des Diktats mit der Schreibmaschine. Gewiß ist der Verkauf von Schreibmaschinen an Blinde kein „Geschöft", aber die Kenntnis der vorhandenen Hilfsmittel wird Ihnen vielleicht hier und da eine Tür öffnen, die Ihnen sonst verschlossen wäre.

Ideal Erika for the Blind

Do you know that there are Ideal and Erika machines for the blind? That is, they are not only for the blind, but can also be written by the sighted. The difference from the normal machine is as follows: on the keys and on the paper holding rail small increases are mounted corresponding to the signs of Braille. Blind writers can therefore, insofar as it can not dispense with the training in a blind write method of this help, at any time feel, if it strikes the right letter or divides the space on the paper sheet properly.

There are already a number of blind stenographers or typists, which are formed on the Ideal. Likewise, the blind use of the marketing of seeing the Erika. To our knowledge, work the blind professional typists consistently to the satisfaction of their employers. Did the blind man once learned to operate the Ideal Erika, so he works because he is not distracted by the outside world, with the greatest mental concentration. But the recording is a dictation? There are three options: 1. the direct dictation into the typewriter, 2. by discussing the wax cylinder of a speaking machine (Dictaphone), 3. by a shorthand in blind-shorthand. The road on the transcript will be preferred generally. The blind overwriting the dictation down with a shorthand machine. By striking the keys of this machine shape on a piece of paper, the points of the blind-shorthand one. The shorthand is the way very quickly in front of him. After finishing the dictation of the blind tears the paper strip off, puts it on, scans it with your fingers and then transmits the text of the dictation on the typewriter. Certainly the sale of typewriters for the blind no "business", but the knowledge of the existing tools will open you might here and there a door that would otherwise be closed to you.


Der neue IDEAL-ERIKA-Laden in Budapest

Nicht allein die hochmoderne und wirkungsvolle Fassade ist beachtenswert‚ sondern vor allem auch die Ausgestaltung des Fensters selbst. Der Mut zu dieser klaren, sachlichen Gestaltung wird durch eine außergewöhnliche Beachtung belohnt.

Rückkehr der Deutschen Spitzbergen-Expedition

Nach Rückkehr der „Deutschen Spitzbergen-Expedition 1937" möchten wir Ihnen mitteilen, daß Ihre Erika-Schreibmaschine auf dieser Expedition verwendet worden ist. Nach Mitteilung des Expeditionsleiters hat die Maschine sich ausgezeichnet bewährt. Auf einer solchen Polar-Expedition kann eine Schreibmaschine naturgemäß nicht immer vorsichtig behandelt werden und steht auch unter schwierigen klimatischen Bedingungen. Ihre Erika-Maschine hat dabei nie versagt und trotz der hohen Anforderungen einwandfrei bis zum Schluß gearbeitet. 10. ll. 1938

„Erika am Krankenbett"

Ein junges Mädel hatte am 1. Januar d. J. mit einem Schreibmaschinenkursus begonnen, um am 1. April eine gutbezahlte Stellung als Anfängerin anzunehmen. Auf dem Wege zur Schule glitt sie aus und verletzte sich den Fuß. Eine längere Bettruhe ist ihr sicher. Aber wo bleibt da die Ausbildung und die ersehnte Stellung und der Verdienst...? Ratlos, unglücklich und seelisch krank, auf ihre schöne Zukunft nun vorerst verzichten zu müssen, hat sie durch Zufall das Glück, einem S&N-Vertreter zu begegnen, der ebenfalls einen Krankenbesuch machte.

S&N-Vertreter sind nun einmal nicht nur wilde Verkäufer‚ sondern Berater!... darum lächelte er auch nur bei der traurigen Miene des Mädels. Er sagte nur kurz: „Kennen Sie Erika, die wird Ihnen sicher helfen!" Die kleine Erika, die berühmte Kleinschreibmaschine, hat schon manchem geholfen und wird auch Ihnen Freude, Sonnenschein und Heilung bringen. Sie kostet nämlich gar nichts! —

"...???..."

„Wie bitte, was sollten Sie denn anfangs verdienen?”
„RM 75.- monatlich, . . . RM 75.—."

„Ja, liebes Fräulein, aber 3 mal 75.- sind RM 225.- und die kleine Erika kostet nur RM 186.-, d. h. wenn Sie Kaufabsicht haben. Sie können sich die kleine Erika auch mieten und die Miete wird auf den Kaufpreis an- gerechnet.

Nun, liebes Fräulein! Lange Rede, kurzer Sinn! Es gibt hier nur eine Hilfe... Erika! Morgen geht's los!

Eine Tischplatte wird auf die Seitenteile des Bettes aufgeklemmt, die Erika darauf, das schöne Griffsystem, das zum Erlernen des Blindschreibens dient, kommt hinter die Maschine, die Tasten werden verdeckt und schon kann der Kursus beginnen."

„Ja, aber ich habe doch keine RM 186.-- . . ."

„Bis April haben Sie auch nicht mehr zu zahlen, als was Ihr Kursus kostet, einmal RM 7.20 und zweimal RM 8.85 und dann sind Sie vorbereitet und können Ihre Stellung annehmen und sind vielleicht besser vorbereitet, wie andere Kursusteilnehmer, weil Sie ia hier mehr Zeit und Gelegenheit zum Üben haben und aus Dankbarkeit werden Sie dann Ihre treue kleine Helferin ERIKA nicht mehr aus den Fingern geben. Also, verehrtes Fräulein — wie ist doch Ihr werter Name?" —

„Meyer.”

„Fräulein Meyer, morgen kommt Ihr steter Begleiter, Ihre hilfreiche Freundin zu Ihnen. Sie will helfen, und Sie werden ihr ihre Hilfe nicht versagen.”

„— Nein, gewiß nicht!"

Der Endeffekt in diesem Falle ist nun der, daß der Vertreter am nächsten Tage die Erika aufbaut, in 3 Tagen wiederkommt, inzwischen hat dann die kleine Kundin schon einige Übung im Schreiben und Gelegenheit genommen, mit ihrem Vater zu sprechen, der es einsieht, daß hier wieder einmal Erika helfen kann und unterzeichnet gern den Kaufvertrag.

Hier an eisbedeckten Finsevand

die uhrglasförmige Eiskappe des Hardangeriökul im Hintergrund, ist es ein wahres Vergnügen, Über seine Eindrücke und Erlebnisse auf einer Norwegenreise zu berichten. Noch dazu, wenn die Junisonne von einem strahlend blauen Himmel her niederbrennt und—das Schreiben durch eine ERIKA so leicht gemacht wird.

Die ERIKA findet man eben Überall!

Wir gratulieren!

Dies ist ein typisches Beispiel eines zielbewußten Händlers, der weiß, daß es sein Erfolg ist, wenn er sich für seine Marken groß einsetzt. Diese großen, weit sichtbaren Tafeln sind nicht etwa in einer kleinen Stadt zu finden, sondern in Paris...



The new IDEAL ERIKA shop in Budapest

Not only the ultra-modern and efficient façade is noteworthy, but also the design of the window itself. The courage to this clear, objective design is rewarded by an extraordinary attention.

Return Deutsche Spitsbergen Expedition

After return of the "Deutsche Spitsbergen Expedition 1937" we would like to inform you that your Erika typewriter has been used on this expedition. As reported by the expedition leader, the machine has proved excellent. On such a polar expedition a typewriter can not naturally always be handled with care and is also under difficult climatic conditions. Their Erika machine has it never fails and worked despite the high demands properly to the end. 10. II. 1938

"Erika bedside"

A young girl had begun on l January d. J. with a typewriter course to adopt a well-paid position as a beginner on l April. On the way to school she slipped and injured his foot. Prolonged bedrest is her treatment. But where is the training and the desired position and the merit...? Helpless, unhappy and mentally ill, to now for the time being to give up their beautiful future, it has by chance the lucky one meets S&N representatives, who also made a home visit.

S & N representatives are now once uncontaminated sellers, but consultants! ... Why he smiled even when sad air of girls. He only said briefly: "Do you know Erika, which will certainly help you!" The little Erika, the famous small typewriter, has helped many and will bring you joy, sunshine and healing can cost you namely nothing!

"... ??? ..."

"Hide what you should earn since the beginning?"
"RM 75.- monthly... RM 75.-."

"Yes, dear lady, but 3 times 75.- are RM 225.- and little Erika costs only RM 186.-, d. H. If you have intention to purchase. You can rent the small Erika also and the rent will be set off against the purchase price.

Well, dear lady! Long story short! There are only a help ... Heather! Tomorrow it will start!

A table top is clamped to the sides of the bed, the Erika on the beautiful handle system which is intended to learn touch typing, coming up behind the machine, the keys are hidden and you can start the course."

"Yes, but I have yet no RM 186.—..."

"By April you have not to pay more than what your course will cost, even RM 7.20 and twice RM 8.85 and then you are prepared and can accept your position and are perhaps better prepared, like other course participants, because you generally more time here have and opportunity to practice and out of gratitude you will no longer give your faithful little helper ERIKA from the fingers. So, dear lady—as it is your name worth?"—

"Meyer."

"Miss Meyer, tomorrow is your constant companion, your helpful friend to you. She wants to help, and you will not fail her their assistance."

"—No, certainly not!"

The bottom line in this case is, that the representative of the next day the Erika builds, comes back in 3 days, now it is the small customer has already taken some practice in writing and the opportunity to speak with her father, who sees that here again Erika can help, and signed the purchase contract.

Here on ice-covered Finsevand

the hourglass icecap of Hardangeriökul in the background, it is a real pleasure, about his impressions and experiences on a trip to Norway to report. Especially when the June sun beats down from a bright blue sky and fro-writing by Erika is made so easy.

The ERIKA be found just everywhere!

We congratulate!

This is a typical example of purposeful dealer who knows that it is his success when he uses big for its brands. These large, highly visible panels are not to be found for example in a small town, but in Paris...

If you're interested, you can download the whole publication as a PDF here.

11 Apr 2014

Post-war Erikas (part 2, 1965-1991)



Erika portables made after WWII have always been a bit confusing to figure out. Hopefully this 2-part series helps clear things up as I compare model-by-model and introduce a long-needed full list of serial numbers online. Using the data in Die Entwicklung der ehemaligen DDR-Schreibmaschinen-Produktion, I have compiled a comprehensive serial number list that spans the entire history of Erika typewriters and fills in a number of gaps and fixes inaccuracies in the old list from tw-db. The new complete listing is found on the Typewriter Database.


1928-1991 Erika timeline

click to enlarge


All of the pictures in this post have been found on the internet and come from the collections of Tilman Elster, Rob Messenger, myself, and other typospherians, as well as current and ended online auctions, and are presented purely as examples essential to this post. No infringement intended.

All typewriters with serial numbers indicated have been dated using the list at the bottom of the post. Regarding the numbers; there are a number of different sources that all slightly contradict each other. The source I am using is the newest and most complete one available.

This post will be edited when new information becomes available, especially with model examples. If you have an example with a serial number and photo, or anything else useful, please let me know!


Mechanical differences

The Erika models shown in part 1 have a few different mechanical designs, as well as having different shells. The 8, 9, and 11 are a completely separate line of typewriter from the 10 and 12. All of the models shown here, on the other hand, appear to be very similar, mechanically. Because I only own one, I can't say for sure. When I eventually find a few more then I'll add my observations to this post. But at this time I think it is safe to say that all the models produced from 1965 onward are mechanically very similar, aside from slight changes like a rapid-spacer and slightly different card/paper prongs/holders.


Branding


The branding of East German typewriters has always been a little bit muddled, but the typewriters by far most affected by different rebrandings are Erikas. A few people have asked me how they should classify their typewriters in the Typewriter Database, and I have come up with the following plan.

This is for all Robotron machines not branded "Erika". If the typewriter says Robotron anywhere on it, or dates to 1980 or later according to the serial numbers, always place it in the Robotron gallery with the model name stating the full name, like "Präsident Deluxe". If it dates to 1979 and says Robotron anywhere on it, do the same thing. Part of the way through 1979 production was taken over by Robotron from Zentronik.

On the other hand, if it says VEB Dresden, Naumann, or Zentronik, then enter the gallery name as "Erika", "Optima", "Aztec" or whatever brand it may be. If it has a model name/number on it anywhere, use that as the model, or else find out what the corresponding Erika model number is. If there is no brand name for the rebranding you have, just ask Ted to add it for you. I bet he won't have a problem doing so.

Hopefully this will help keep all the Erikas and kin in order in the database.


Model 30/40: 1965-1976

During the second and third major eras of Erika production, the model numbers were a little simpler than we saw in part 1. Typically, the lower model number lacks a tabulator while the higher number has one. I wouldn't go as far to say that the Model 30 is a stripped down version of the Model 40 because they appear to only differ in having a tabulator.

4046101 - 1966

4702808 - 1971



4981719 - 1973

5126513 - 1974


The Model 30/40 also had a few name variants. CBM was sold in the United States. The Präsident version of Model 30 is the first of a line of many Präsidents you will see. The name was also frequently used on computer printers made by Zentronik and Robotron.

CBM 30 - 4193330 - 1967

Präsident

Irene Super

Caroline

Hanseatic super de luxe

Bijou

Jack Tramiel really has gotten around, because a Commodore version was produced.

Commodore - 4201770 - 1967


Some examples of the Model 40. This improves on the 30 by having a tabulator.

4118632 - 1966


The Model 40 can be known as an Optima, for export to English-speaking countries, as well as a Präsident Deluxe. All examples of Erikas rebranded as Präsident that I have found are located in former West Germany so I believe it to have been an export name. A CBM version with Hebrew keyboard was sold in the US.

Optima

CBM 40 (Hebrew)

Präsident De Luxe

Präsident De Luxe - 4815218 - 1972

Models 32/42, 41, and 70: 1966-1979

The Model 32/42 was one of the longest-lived Erikas and many examples can be found. As with the Model 30/40, the 32 lacks the tabulator which the 42 has. The 32 appears to be been less common than the 42. Earlier 32/42s came in a hard case while the later ones came in a soft (but still rather sturdy) case  with red lining.

32 - 4373193 - 1969
32 - 1973

32

Here are examples of the Model 42. I will use this time to explain a theory about the name "Daro" appearing on Erika typewriters. It originated in 1973, as I have seen Erikas from that year with and without the Daro nameplate, and it stopped being used in 1979. In 1969, all typewriter manufacturers in the DDR were united under the name Zentronik. In 1979, the name was changed to the more familiar Robotron. I think that Daro is linked to the Zentronik enterprise because although it did not begin immediately in 1969, it ended the same year as Zentronik ended.

42 - 4675060 - 1971

42 - 4475841 - 1970

This Erika was made in the middle of 1973, right after the new case was introduced, but still with the old Erika logo in plastic.

42 - 4887154 - 1973
42 - 4957707 - 1973

42 - 5216684 - 1975

42 - 6122376 - 1979

Boots and Vendex (for the Netherlands) rebrandings:

Boots 42
Vendex V1000


The Model 41 was a wide-carriage version of the Model 42 and has a tabulator.

41 - 4425237 - 1969


41 -1978

41

41 -5929565 - 1978

This Erika 41 is one of the few that were imported into the US. Oddly, the Daro logo is lacking, even though it was built between 1973 and 1979. Perhaps Daro was left off when exporting to the US.

41 -5392219 - 1976

A Präsident version of the 41 was produced. I have not seen either the 32 or the 42 rebranded, though I do not know if this never happened.

Präsident Profi

The Erika 70 was a special model made for typing on passports. More information can be found here on Georg Sommeregger's blog.





Model 33/43: 1968-1974

The Model 33/43 is interesting because it was the only Erika portable with an integrated base and a snap-on lid. It has a similar appearance to the Model 32 introduced 2 years earlier. The 33 is much more common than the 43 and lacks a tabulator.

4876485 - 1973

4916973 - 1973

Here is a Präsident variant of the Model 33.

Präsident Super De Luxe

The 43 was a 33 with a tabulator. This is the only example I've seen of a Model 43.


Model 43 was also made as an Irene Super, an export brand for sale in West Germany by Quelle. An Optima version was sold in Germany.

Irene Super

Optima



Model 50/60, 48: 1974-1991

The Model 50/60 is special because it is the first Erika to have been designed after the formation of Zentronik. It was produced for a longer time (18 years) than any other Erika aside from the old Model 5 (22 years). It also happens to be one of my favorite designs, based on æsthetics, produced by post-1965 Erika. Both 50 and 60 always have a rapid-spacer (indicated by the red dot on the spacebar). Earlier 50/60s came in a red-lined case, while the later ones had a black-lined case. Model 50 lacks a tabulator and is less common than Model 60.

6350288 - 1980

Model 50/60 had quite a few name variants and also was available in a few different colors. As usual, the Hanseatic was an export name for West Germany and Optima was exported to an English-speaking country.

Hanseatic Super De Luxe

Präsident Deluxe SL

Model 60 had a tabulator and the linear progression of color schemes appears to be tan, white and grey-blue, and then finally just white.

5158100 - 1974

5545646 - 1976


6309431 - 1980

6634389 - 1981

7328299 - 1984

8199216 - 1990

Model 60 also existed as Präsidents and a Japy for French export.

Präsident Super Deluxe

Japy P951
Source typewriter photo : Le Brocanteur du dimanche


Model 48 is essentially an E44 (seen below) with a wide carriage and a card holder. Although it was released in 1974 with the 50/60, it shares more similarities with the 34/44. The only examples I have ever seen were in Spain.

48

48

Then there is the mystery of this Hercules 300 SL. It was sold in Germany, and is almost identical to the 48. The only difference is it has a rapid-spacer. This makes it externally look like a 60 with a wide carriage, although it has a card holder which is lacking on the 60. I'm aware of model numbers that exist but I have no information on or examples of, so I'm assuming there's a model number out there for this.

Hercules 300 SL - 6303156 - 1980


Model 34/44: 1975-1991?

The Model 34/44 is basically the same as the 50/60, but lacking a rapid spacer. It's a lot less common than the 50/60 in Erika branded versions, but can be found more frequently under other names. The 34 has no tabulator, while the 44 has one.

The Präsident variation is found in Germany.

Präsident

Präsident

Präsident De Luxe

Präsident Deluxe TAB

Tohsei - 6808178 - 1982


The Optima, Craftamatic, and Hanimex versions are found in Australia.

Optima - 7407836 - 1985
Craftamatic Mark I - 6841815 - 1982

Hanimex Elite 34


Models 100/105 and 127: 1977-1991

Model 100/105 is another long-lived Erika commonly seen in and out of Germany. It appears to be the first design to not have been rebranded as a Präsident for West Germany. Model 100 lacks a tabulator. They were sold in white, green, yellow, and tan. They don't have a rapid spacer. Later models, beginning around 1979, have a slightly different carriage body with an indent/groove along the whole width.


100

100

100 - 7951112 - 1989


Model 105 has a tabulator. It is somewhat more common than the 100 and came in the same three colors. The earliest versions have the Daro nameplate, but most lack it, showing that production of this model was likely fairly slow at first and increased during the 1980s.

105

105

105 - 6638929 - 1981

105 - 6707836 - 1981

105 - 7982004 - 1989

The Optima variant is found in Australia.

Optima 105 - 6787594 - 1982

The only other model 105 variant I have ever seen is this odd Imperial 34. No connection with the Imperial of England, I assume, but other strange things have been seen… (you'll find out at the end of the post)

Imperial 34

The 127 was a wide-carriage version of the 105 and came in the same three colors again.

127

127 - 1987

A few variations on the 127 can be seen including a Junior and an Erika Champion.

Junior

Erika Champion - 6976146 - 1983


Models 115/120 and 125: 1979-1981

Model 115/120 is one of the least common Robotron Erikas, only produced for 3 years. The 115 has a standard-width carriage, a tabulator, and rapid spacer. The 115/120 was also not rebranded as a Präsident, to my knowledge.

115 - 6408958 - 1980

115


The 120 is the same as the 115 except it has a wide carriage.

120 - 6403411 - 1980

I have only seen Model 125 as a Robotron Comfort 125. This was made for only one year (1981) and seems to have been one of the most deluxe Robotrons made. It's basically the same as the 120, though, just with a slightly nicer case and a red tab key to match the red dot on the rapid-spacer.

Robotron Comfort - 6534476 - 1981


Models 150/153/155 and 170/173: 1981-1991

The Model 150/155 was the last new model designed by Robotron, in 1981. For the remaining 11 years, no new models were introduced. Both the 150/155 and 170/173 do not have a rapid spacer. The 150/155 was made in white and green. The 150 has no tabulator. It is interesting to note that some 150s (and 170s as well) have a white on black nameplate rather than the typical black on silver one used by all other Robotron Erikas.

While all the previous models of Erikas (in the German language, at least) have the ordinary German keyboard that lacks the number zero and has the " , . -   ? ! ' " pattern of keys at the right bottom corner. The vast majority of Models 150/155 and 170/173 (but not every single one), on the other hand, place the underscore in that location and lack an apostrophe altogether.

150 - 7933735 - 1989

150

150

Again, an Optima version was sold in Australia.

Optima 150 - 8003301 - 1989

Unlike the two previous model styles, the 150 was produced as a Präsident, as well as an Elite with charcoal grey ribbon cover and carriage.

Präsident 1500 Deluxe

Präsident 1500 Deluxe
Elite SM 500
Optima 150 - 8003373 - 1989

Model 153 is a 150 with a touch regulator.

153


Model 155 is a 150 with a tabulator, and is less common than the 150.

155 - 7489081 - 1986

155 - 8219669 - 1990

The 155 was rebranded as a Privileg and a Manor. Privileg was a brand used by Quelle, the mail-order company in West Germany.

Privileg 342 T

Manor 1500 deluxe

I have no examples of the 170. It is the same as the 155, but with a wire card holder and line end lock. The 173 is a 170 with a wide carriage and sometimes has the interesting white on black nameplate.

173

173

Model 173 existed as a Hercules, a Präsident, and a Privileg.

Präsident 1700 Profi

Hercules 330 S

A few different versions of the Privileg 345 BT exist. I don't know much about this rebranding, other than they were intended to be sold in the DDR.

Privileg 345 BT

Privileg 345 BT


Anomalies

There exist the following models that I have not seen any examples or information about, but exist in the serial number listing: 158, 128. (If you have any information, please let me know) I am aware of models 34/44, 103/108, and 145—they were special versions with either Oriental keyboard or carriages that went from left to right instead of right to left.

The Sigma SM 1000 is interesting because it appears to be mechanically identical to Model 150, although the ribbon cover is different. I have only seen this different cover on green Sigma-branded versions of the 150. The Sigma SM 3000 is a model 173.

Sigma SM 1000 - 6985811 - 1983
Sigma SM 3000

The AEG Olympia Regina De Luxe is a wide carriage 1980s Robotron in a shell that matches that used by Japanese Olympias of the time. 

AEG Olympia Regina De Luxe
AEG Olympia Regina De Luxe

Olympia Regina De Luxe - 6777532 - 1982

Olympia Regina De Luxe - 6590760 - 1981


Olympia Regina

This version of the Privileg 345 BT uses the same shell of some of the Olympia Regina De Luxes.

Privilege 345 BT

I have seen this boxy body style branded as an Erika once. Strangely, it is labelled Model 105. It was sold in Poland.

105


Typefaces

Die Entwicklung der ehemaligen DDR-Schreibmaschinen-Produktion reports that 7 typefaces were available on 1965-1991 Erikas: Pica, Perl, Kleinblock, Großpica, Imperial-Pica, Imperial-Elite, and Kristall, as well as an 8th, Venezia, starting in 1979. Kristall is the popular sans-serif typeface that looks like a combination of Hermes Epoca and techno.

Kristall


Serial numbers
from Die Entwicklung der ehemaligen DDR-Schreibmaschinen-Produktion

Models 30/40, 32/42, 41, 33/43, 50/60, 34/44, 100/105, 150/153, 155/158, 170/173, 127/128, 103/108, and 125
4000001 1965 Model 30/40 production begins 6/1965
4040756 1966 Models 32/42 and 41 production begins 8/1966
4135705 1967 Model 33/43 production begins 1/1967
4245403 1968
4345569 1969 All East German typewriter manufacturers consolidated as Zentronik (Robotron) 4/1969
4467200 1970
4595067 1971
4709444 1972
4839102 1973
4989374 1974 Model 50/60 production begins 1/1974
5175664 1975 Model 34/44 produced from 6/1975 to 6/1976
5375600 1976
5577400 1977 Model 100/105 production begins 8/1977
5780400 1978
5984600 1979 Zentronik becomes Robotron 4/1979. Model 127 production begins 7/1979. Model 103/108 (Oriental keyboard) production begins 1979
6298600 1980 Models 150/153, 155/158, and 170/173 production begins 10/1980
6512300 1981 Model 125 production begins 1/1981. Model 127 resumed 4/1981
6711495 1982
6924876 1983
7129492 1984
7329010 1985
7476301 1986
7622893 1987
7773262 1988
7929107 1989
8080389 1990
8224302 1991 Production ends August 1991


Summary

All the typewriters on this page are segment-shifted and represent the second major stage of Erika production in the DDR, most of which was under the control of Zentronik and Robotron. During this time, the only portable typewriters made in East Germany were made by Erika and eventually Robotron.

By the end of production in August 1991, Robotron was one of the last manufacturers of high-quality manual portable typewriters. No new models had been introduced since 1981, though, so I doubt anything new would have come from the factory had Germany not reunified.


Resources


Die Entwicklung der ehemaligen DDR-Schreibmaschinen-Produktion (Frensel, 1999)

Thanks especially to Georg Sommeregger, Ted Munk, and Piotr Trumpiel for their excellent help.

Also of interest


Last updated 21 February 2014