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1953 Adler Special Serial # 2020047 1953 Adler Special typewriter, Serial # 2020047 Kevin Stallaert's 1953 Adler Special typewriter. 2022-09-01 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Kevin Stallaert: 1953 Adler Special Serial # 2020047 I accidently stumbled across this Adler Special browsing a local ad site (as do we all, no?). I had posted it on the Typewriter Discord, just for fun, proof that a Special is in fact a portable, since it can have a case and has a carriage lock. The case is some sort of cast metal (I suspect aluminum, I haven't tested it with a magnet). Another Discord member really wanted to own it. I contacted the seller, bought it, and shipped it to the USA. I asked permission to post these pictures, just to document this machine with its case.

Just a thought after seeing this beast with its crate and it being the oldest in the database: The case seems to be specifically made for the Adler Special. Could it be that the Special was specifically designed for field use (with the ease of taking it apart, solid construction, carriage lock and that crate) and that it later trickled down to office use? I'd love to read your thoughts on this.

1953 Adler Special #2020047

Status: Sightings
Hunter: Kevin Stallaert (KStallaert)
Created: 08-23-2022 at 12:45PM
Last Edit: 09-01-2022 at 12:18AM

Description Hunter 15 Photos 1 Like  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

I accidently stumbled across this Adler Special browsing a local ad site (as do we all, no?). I had posted it on the Typewriter Discord, just for fun, proof that a Special is in fact a portable, since it can have a case and has a carriage lock. The case is some sort of cast metal (I suspect aluminum, I haven't tested it with a magnet). Another Discord member really wanted to own it. I contacted the seller, bought it, and shipped it to the USA. I asked permission to post these pictures, just to document this machine with its case.

Just a thought after seeing this beast with its crate and it being the oldest in the database: The case seems to be specifically made for the Adler Special. Could it be that the Special was specifically designed for field use (with the ease of taking it apart, solid construction, carriage lock and that crate) and that it later trickled down to office use? I'd love to read your thoughts on this.

Typeface Specimen:

Links:

Photos:


Left
Left

Back
Back

Right
Right

The paper support isn't the flip up style, but a hinged style that folds to the front. Can be removed with just two screws.
The paper support isn't the flip up style, but a hinged style that folds to the front. Can be removed with just two screws.

Keyboard
Keyboard

Note the nail damage on the E, R and T. Apparently a typist was allowed to have long fingernails.
Note the nail damage on the E, R and T. Apparently a typist was allowed to have long fingernails.

The serial number on the carriage (it can also be found on the main body beneath the carriage, and on the keybar core)
The serial number on the carriage (it can also be found on the main body beneath the carriage, and on the keybar core)

The slugs. Standard RaRo Pica
The slugs. Standard RaRo Pica

Bottom of the typewriter. No quick remove bottom, it's bolted in.
Bottom of the typewriter. No quick remove bottom, it's bolted in.

The case top. It's faded but it says "Machine à écrire", "Schrijfmachine" and the serial number at the bottom.
The case top. It's faded but it says "Machine à écrire", "Schrijfmachine" and the serial number at the bottom.

Backside of the case
Backside of the case

Front of the case
Front of the case

Inside of the lid. Four protrusions lined with felt keep the typewriter snugly in place.
Inside of the lid. Four protrusions lined with felt keep the typewriter snugly in place.

The front felt keeping the typewriter in place (and protectiong it) is getting loose.
The front felt keeping the typewriter in place (and protectiong it) is getting loose.

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

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