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Home » Erika » 100 » 1978 #5903271
1978 Erika 100 Serial # 5903271 1978 Erika 100 typewriter, Serial # 5903271 Jonas Lauritsen's 1978 Erika 100 typewriter. 2023-07-21 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Jonas Lauritsen: 1978 Erika 100 Serial # 5903271 Found this by chance at a thrift shop, half price off everything. So I got this for under $8, including travelling case and everything.
It is fully functional, except for the fact the ink ribbon is halfway dry (it looks more faded on photos than reality, I promise). If I ever decided to seriously use this machine, I'd rewrap a new ribbon on.

Other than that, it's shiny, no loss of colour or other ugly marks of wear - and I love the fact the case comes with a built-in pocket AND a little pouch with some cleaning tools - the manual call these features out specifically, so I know they're not added by a previous owner.
Turning the platen is very snappy, and overall it feels like this is brand new, apart from the ink.

Main mystery with this machine is actually the top half of the case, that lifts off two hinges; there's this small metal bracket/clip in the front, on the inside, and nothing interacts with this, as far as I can tell. If anyone happens to know its purpose, I'm all ears.

1978 Erika 100 #5903271

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Jonas Lauritsen (legofanatikeren)
Created: 07-21-2023 at 06:26AM
Last Edit: 07-21-2023 at 06:49AM


Description:

Found this by chance at a thrift shop, half price off everything. So I got this for under $8, including travelling case and everything.
It is fully functional, except for the fact the ink ribbon is halfway dry (it looks more faded on photos than reality, I promise). If I ever decided to seriously use this machine, I'd rewrap a new ribbon on.

Other than that, it's shiny, no loss of colour or other ugly marks of wear - and I love the fact the case comes with a built-in pocket AND a little pouch with some cleaning tools - the manual call these features out specifically, so I know they're not added by a previous owner.
Turning the platen is very snappy, and overall it feels like this is brand new, apart from the ink.

Main mystery with this machine is actually the top half of the case, that lifts off two hinges; there's this small metal bracket/clip in the front, on the inside, and nothing interacts with this, as far as I can tell. If anyone happens to know its purpose, I'm all ears.

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

Front view without case, access to the serial number on the left
Front view without case, access to the serial number on the left

Front of the travelling case
Front of the travelling case

back of the travelling case - the hinges unhook when it's tilted open
back of the travelling case - the hinges unhook when it's tilted open

A look at the machine in the case. It's a tight fit but it works out when the carriage lever is cranked down
A look at the machine in the case. It's a tight fit but it works out when the carriage lever is cranked down

The mystery clip inside the front of the top half of the case...
The mystery clip inside the front of the top half of the case...

the bottom half of the case, and the pouch with tools that come with
the bottom half of the case, and the pouch with tools that come with


a closer look at the back, and the labels. Left is a text on the manufacturer, Berlin. middle is a sticker from some earlier owner (it references a Danish company). Right side is the model and place of manufacture.
a closer look at the back, and the labels. Left is a text on the manufacturer, Berlin. middle is a sticker from some earlier owner (it references a Danish company). Right side is the model and place of manufacture.

top view with no cover
top view with no cover

a closer look at the basket and exposed top. That ribbon has seen wetter days
a closer look at the basket and exposed top. That ribbon has seen wetter days

a close up of the keyboard layout, danish keys
a close up of the keyboard layout, danish keys

A closer look at the serial number, located inside the frame of the machine to the left, visible when the carriage is moved to the right
A closer look at the serial number, located inside the frame of the machine to the left, visible when the carriage is moved to the right

Hunter: Jonas Lauritsen (legofanatikeren)

Jonas Lauritsen's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 253

Casual collector of replica flintlock pistols, and in that same vein, picked up a couple of typewriters through the years - as a mechanical engineer, I could not resist.



RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Erika 100 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Erika Serial Number page and the Erika 100 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.