P.S. Looking closer at the pictures of other machines marked as Model 10 that sported the "new" ribbon cover & logo it seems to me that these must have been a transition Model 10 machines. The manual supplied with them had a picture of the Model 10 with "old" ribbon cover. They had the same chromed metal around the ribbon colour indicator and the same set of keys as Model 10 - however even this wasn't always the case. Here is Mr. Messenger's post:
http://oztypewriter.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/erika-model-10-portable-typewriter.html
we can see the "new" ribbon cover, "new" logo, "old" set of keys, "old" paper support, no metal around the colour indicator - and still labelled as model 10.
The "old" set of keys included tabulator and typebar unjammer lever - these are not present on my Model 12. Model 12 has no paper guide and no left carriage release lever as well.
P.P.S. After gathering all these differences between the machines together (and a good night sleep) I came to conlusion that initially there was just Model 10 offered for a certain period of time and after restyling the ribbon cover and logo both machines came on the market with Model 10 (shall it be called Mark II?) as a "deLuxe" and Model 12 as a "standard" (and probably cheaper) alternative.
Very nice typewriters. Thanks for the detailed review. Erika is one brand missing from my collection.
ReplyDeleteWell - give at least one of them a chance :)
DeleteAppears that Erika and Robotron are about to get some light shed on 'em soonish. Keep an eye on "x over it". (:
ReplyDeleteWe've been working together on it, especially about the 10 and 12 models. Surely you don't think this could be a coincidence? ;)
DeleteGreat work! Erika is one of my favorite brands. Must be a joy to compare them like this.
ReplyDeleteThank you! They really are nice machines.
DeleteTrying to work out model sequences and evolutions can be dizzying and I really like your spot-the-difference exposition.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comparison and education!
ReplyDeleteLate to find your blog. Dad bought a beautiful 10 for me; wrote college papers on it. Been resting in case since then. Still perfect. Know what they cost then?
ReplyDelete