Following on from my post on the Groma Modell N, another East German typewriter with a similarly industrial colour scheme …
… a typewriter I originally thought was an Erika 9. Luckily, I happened to notice the model number on the underside of the ribbon cover …
… equally noticeable is the serial number stamped on the underside of the frame …
The Erika 11 is less stylish perhaps than the Groma Modell N, but what it lacks in style it more than makes up for in usability.
While trying out both typewriters, I found the beautifully compact Erika to be snappier and more finger friendly. Also, the low-slung carriage return lever on the Groma is easier to miss with your finger than the more upright lever on the Erika.
Not much between the two of them typeface-wise, both are blessed with a very readable Pica …
The space bar is less clunky on the Erika too. Another plus the Erika has is the fact that its type bars fall back softly onto fabric webbing, which is an inspired choice of material I think, since it has stood the test of time very well.
A pair of East German models
As and when I downsize my typewriter collection, this lovely little Erika will be one of the typewriters I keep. I’m afraid I can’t say the same thing about the Groma Modell N.
(Incidentally, Nick T has documented the history of these post-war Erika typewriters on his Xoverit blog site.)
Two West German typewriters to go in my German typewriter series …
Serial number is now revealed as 2023008, making it a beautiful 1955 model 🙂
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Thanks Steve! Brute force did the trick! :))
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As far as I remember it was also immovable for me at first, but more brute strength allowed me to lift it upwards and then out, gripping the front lower edge of the body with one hand and holding down the front of the bottom plate with the other. Wish I could remember where I put the bottom plate so I could check for sure! 😉
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I just bought a beautiful Erika 11 almost in pristine condition 🙂 …I don’t seem to be able to remove it from the bottom plate though…is there som trick? Help would be greatly appreciated.
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I blame my new smartphone camera (and human error) 🙂
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Very nice looking Erika. Your experience seems to reflect what others have said. Groma not being the best typer while Erika typewriters are good.
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Gah! Photo #4 is reversed, and my OCD is horrified 😀
..But the Ericas are stunning..
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