that's an exciting mail day. I have an Erika S and I love it. Is that an english keyboard? seems odd, considering what was happening in Germany the year it was made.
Congratulations on the Erika. It looks like a fantastic machine. The density of the ink may be a hard platen more than the action. I have the same problem with some of my machines with hard platens.
I suppose it is possible, but many of my machines have hard platens and ink just fine. Really, I think it is because of the touch. It is not much stiffer than a computer keyboard, really, so you start typing quickly and then look at the page...realizing you were typing so quickly, because it was so easy, that some of the keys did not depress all the way.
Glad I could provide two forms of reading material!
On my 1928 Erika 5, the carriage return lever clears the ribbon spool by about 2mm (the spool is exposed on this version). Often these levers get pushed down, on various typewriters, and I've always had good luck simply pulling them upwards. (Naturally, be gentle.)
There are so many good German machines... you'll see lots of German standards at Herman's.
Speaking of which, I take requests if you want to check out anything in particular from my collection.
If the spools were exposed on this one, it wouldn't be a problem, obviously. I did bend it a bit, and it seemed to help, but I worry about breaking it. That would be my luck. I will have a look through the page! Thanks for the offer!
Nice machine! I have an Erika 5 waiting to be cleaned and lubed. The touch you are describing sounds a lot like my 1937 Triumph. I'll have to compare them. The Triumph also has a somewhat universal QWERTY layout with plenty of extra punctuation marks.
There is something wonderfully timeless and classy about typewriters with shiny black finish and round, flat keys lined with chrome. Great addition to your collection!
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that's an exciting mail day.
ReplyDeleteI have an Erika S and I love it. Is that an english keyboard? seems odd, considering what was happening in Germany the year it was made.
It is QWERTY, does not have the umlaut keys, but has the figure layout of a German machine, along with shift and backspace written in German...weird.
DeleteCongratulations on the Erika. It looks like a fantastic machine.
ReplyDeleteThe density of the ink may be a hard platen more than the action. I have the same problem with some of my machines with hard platens.
I suppose it is possible, but many of my machines have hard platens and ink just fine. Really, I think it is because of the touch. It is not much stiffer than a computer keyboard, really, so you start typing quickly and then look at the page...realizing you were typing so quickly, because it was so easy, that some of the keys did not depress all the way.
DeleteGlad I could provide two forms of reading material!
ReplyDeleteOn my 1928 Erika 5, the carriage return lever clears the ribbon spool by about 2mm (the spool is exposed on this version). Often these levers get pushed down, on various typewriters, and I've always had good luck simply pulling them upwards. (Naturally, be gentle.)
There are so many good German machines... you'll see lots of German standards at Herman's.
Speaking of which, I take requests if you want to check out anything in particular from my collection.
If the spools were exposed on this one, it wouldn't be a problem, obviously. I did bend it a bit, and it seemed to help, but I worry about breaking it. That would be my luck.
DeleteI will have a look through the page! Thanks for the offer!
A very nice acquisition, congratulations, Ken! From the sound of it, the typing feel of that Erika might be similar to the Olivetti Ico or Studio 42.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for Messenger's book to arrive, can't wait to read it.
The ICO and 42 type like this? Those are, by far, the most beautiful Olivetti's I have seen.
DeleteNice machine! I have an Erika 5 waiting to be cleaned and lubed. The touch you are describing sounds a lot like my 1937 Triumph. I'll have to compare them. The Triumph also has a somewhat universal QWERTY layout with plenty of extra punctuation marks.
ReplyDeleteMmmm...Triumph.
DeleteWhere in West Virginia are you going?
ReplyDeleteMorgantown. Unfortunately, it is nowhere near Blacksburg...I checked as soon as I saw this. But...but I wanted to go to the deli/bar!
DeleteThere is something wonderfully timeless and classy about typewriters with shiny black finish and round, flat keys lined with chrome. Great addition to your collection!
ReplyDeleteI love the way the white keys reflect in the black paint. Delicious...
Deletethis is gorgeous machine....love it!!! is that for me?
ReplyDeleteNot this one!
Delete