Show Image
(https://i.postimg.cc/0NLRNR5D/Erika-20.jpg)
This probably wont mean much to anyone, but I I'll share it regardless. This is a Erika model 20. Ive seen very few of these machines, there aren't many of them out there, so I thought It might be of interest to someone.
I can't say I've ever even heard of that one, going to have to look more into it!
do you guys use thisin modern day pen pal situations?
I don't yet, but I'd like to at some point. So far mine is for journaling, notes, and just personal enjoyment, but I'd love to get to the point of sending letters to friends and family. Letter writing I believe is a bit of an art, and it's one I want to get good at.
Show Image
(https://i.postimg.cc/0NLRNR5D/Erika-20.jpg)
This probably wont mean much to anyone, but I I'll share it regardless. This is a Erika model 20. Ive seen very few of these machines, there aren't many of them out there, so I thought It might be of interest to someone.
Ahh, the old QWERTZ layout I grew up on :)
This was a $25 Salvation Army find about five years ago. It was missing its signature silver case; after a few years of searching, I was forced to buy an SM7 case and modify it to fit. I also removed the vinyl wrapping on the ends and refinished the underlying plywood in garnet shellac, to a pretty good effect:
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/HpAWcVS.jpg)
Oh that looks lovely, I might have to do that with my case as well! The case still works, but it's clear that it's done it's job of protecting the typewriter inside, and the vinyl is peeling away on the top/bottom. Been torn between trying to restore it vs. harvesting the hardware and building a new one out of some nice wood.
A Olympia SM4 was the snappiest & lightest typer I ever had. I prefer the more "hydraulic" feel of Erikas, my favourite being the Model M, but they aren't the fastest to type on in comparison.
Olympias are fairly common in the US, Erikas unfortunately not from what Ive seen. The Erika 10 (seen in my 1st picture) is a great all-round machine, with its only downside being the heavier carriage shift.
The Model M is the best & highest quality typewriter Ive ever used, including my SG1.
It looks absolutely lovely. You (and others here) seem to have a lot of experience with a variety of models I'm curious if you have any recommendations on a more portable typewriter than my SM4 with a different feel? I want to try more of what's out there so I've been looking at a few of the Remington Noiseless models, but really want something that's easier to take around with me (I use a bike solely for transportation, the SM4 is just a bit...much).
just bought this beauty :) i wanted a blue Selectric 2 for a long while and one poped up near me, the guy who sold it to me told me that it was a machine IBM used to lend when repairing a costumer Selectric, only issue is that it has not been used in 25 years and is full of decomposed foam. do anyone in here have any idea of a good substitute for IBM #1 and #23 greases they ask for in the maintenance manual?
Looks gorgeous! Absolutely love that soft blue color. Not sure on how to work on it, but you may want to check out facebook! There's some super helpful groups on there such as the Antique Typewriter Maintenance Group, and I imagine there's probably a few Selectric-specific groups as well due to their popularity and uniqueness.