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1926 Mercedes 4 Serial # 141348 1926 Mercedes 4 typewriter, Serial # 141348 Kevin Stallaert's 1926 Mercedes 4 typewriter. 2023-12-06 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Kevin Stallaert: 1926 Mercedes 4 Serial # 141348 I came across this machine on the website of a German e-bay seller. I loved the way it looked, and I loved the typeface even more. Unfortunately the typeface was shown in the auction pictures, so I have paid out of my ass to get it. In the Raro catalogue the font is called "Steile Sierschrift" (Steep ornamental font). If Vogue is the ultimate Art Deco typeface, this is the ultimate Art Nouveau typeface.

6-dec-2023: additional note: this is a 9 CPI machine. Somehow I noted that it is a 10 CPI machine on my quality control sheet (so much for that quality...)

Even more unfortunate was the fact that the seller had done a bad packaging job, causing the bottom plate of the typewriter to break, dislodging the tab brake and destroying the fixed dog. I'm very fortunate to know a knife smith who managed to manufacture me a new one. The only thing I haven't been able to fix is the non-working line finder. The mechanism is inside the platen. The only way to fix it is to find another Mercedes Modell 4 platen.

The machine comes apart in three pieces quite easily: to remove the type basket and keys, just pull off the tab key, backspace and color selector. Put the shift lock on on both sides and unscrew the large screws from the side. You can now remove the entire type basket out from the front. To remove the carriage, unscrew the stop on the right side, make sure the lever on the front is in the right position (and shift is disengaged), and you can just slide the entire thing off. The drawband attaches itself to a designated post. Removing the platen is a bit more involved. I've made videos of all of the above, see the posted links.

One thing to keep in mind is that this machine uses 16 mm ribbon. Not something that is easily found.

1926 Mercedes 4 #141348

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Kevin Stallaert (KStallaert)
Created: 12-21-2022 at 11:36AM
Last Edit: 12-06-2023 at 09:56AM

Description Hunter 13 Photos 2 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

I came across this machine on the website of a German e-bay seller. I loved the way it looked, and I loved the typeface even more. Unfortunately the typeface was shown in the auction pictures, so I have paid out of my ass to get it. In the Raro catalogue the font is called "Steile Sierschrift" (Steep ornamental font). If Vogue is the ultimate Art Deco typeface, this is the ultimate Art Nouveau typeface.

6-dec-2023: additional note: this is a 9 CPI machine. Somehow I noted that it is a 10 CPI machine on my quality control sheet (so much for that quality...)

Even more unfortunate was the fact that the seller had done a bad packaging job, causing the bottom plate of the typewriter to break, dislodging the tab brake and destroying the fixed dog. I'm very fortunate to know a knife smith who managed to manufacture me a new one. The only thing I haven't been able to fix is the non-working line finder. The mechanism is inside the platen. The only way to fix it is to find another Mercedes Modell 4 platen.

The machine comes apart in three pieces quite easily: to remove the type basket and keys, just pull off the tab key, backspace and color selector. Put the shift lock on on both sides and unscrew the large screws from the side. You can now remove the entire type basket out from the front. To remove the carriage, unscrew the stop on the right side, make sure the lever on the front is in the right position (and shift is disengaged), and you can just slide the entire thing off. The drawband attaches itself to a designated post. Removing the platen is a bit more involved. I've made videos of all of the above, see the posted links.

One thing to keep in mind is that this machine uses 16 mm ribbon. Not something that is easily found.

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

Photos:

Left side of the Modell 4
Left side of the Modell 4

Front left side
Front left side

A top look on the front
A top look on the front

Front right side of this gorgeous machine
Front right side of this gorgeous machine

Right side of the Modell 4
Right side of the Modell 4

A look from the back
A look from the back

A paper support that's totally not compensating for anything
A paper support that's totally not compensating for anything

Top view
Top view

A top view on those cool and cleaned slugs
A top view on those cool and cleaned slugs

Most of the slugs have a number 5 stamped on them
Most of the slugs have a number 5 stamped on them

And some are Raro 57 slugs (Steile Zierschrift in the catalogue of Raro)
And some are Raro 57 slugs (Steile Zierschrift in the catalogue of Raro)

Serial number and its location
Serial number and its location


Hunter: Kevin Stallaert (KStallaert)

Kevin Stallaert's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 953

I fell into the typewriter rabbit hole due to nostalgia: I used to have a massive Olympia SG1 when I was a kid. It formed my typing habits, which is why I am called a "furious typer" by my coworkers. Came across the r/typewriters page on Reddit which rekindled my love for these wonderful machines. Lets just hope I don't start pushing screens off my desk when I reach the end of a line...

I also have a modest Youtube channel where I document the progress of my typewriter journey: https://www.youtube.com/@Slug_Life


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Mercedes 4 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Mercedes Serial Number page and the Mercedes 4 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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