Erika FRAKTUR Typewriter from the "Bund für deutsche Schrift"
FRAKTUR TYPEFACE ERIKA TYPEWRITER (MODEL 127)
(Also known as German Blackletter, “Old English” or "German Gothic" Typeface)
1985, Germany[Note: We cover the costs of any U.S. Tariff charges.]
This rare and extraordinary typewriter represents one of the most complete surviving factory Fraktur typewriters known. Manufactured in 1985 for the "Bund für deutsche Schrift" (Association for the German Script), it combines the exceptionally rare factory Fraktur typeface with its original documentation recording delivery to the association, factory identification tag, spare Fraktur type slugs, and original carrying case—all preserved in exceptional original condition. Unlike earlier Fraktur typewriters, the Erika 127 was manufactured in 1985 and belongs to the final generation of mechanical writing machines, allowing the distinctive beauty of this historic typeface to be enjoyed with a light, fluid typing action that is both practical for extended writing and remarkably easy to master.
Few typefaces are as closely associated with the cultural history of a nation as Fraktur. Developed from late medieval blackletter scripts, it became the principal printed typeface of the German-speaking world for almost four centuries. Although its official use declined during the twentieth century, Fraktur experienced a remarkable revival among typographers, calligraphers, book artists, and collectors who value its extraordinary visual richness and unmistakable historical character. Typed on paper, Fraktur produces a page that recalls fine letterpress printing more readily than conventional typescript, giving even ordinary correspondence a distinctive presence.
The *Bund für deutsche Schrift* was founded to preserve and promote the traditional German scripts—Fraktur for printing and Sütterlin or Kurrent for handwriting—at a time when they had largely disappeared from everyday use. During the 1980s the association commissioned a limited number of Fraktur-equipped Erika typewriters from VEB Robotron so that members could continue producing authentic Fraktur documents using modern mechanical equipment. This example survives with an exceptional level of completeness: the original documentation recording its delivery to the *Bund für deutsche Schrift*, the dated receipt, factory identification tag, spare Fraktur type slugs, and original carrying case all remain with the machine. Such complete surviving sets are exceptionally uncommon.
This typewriter has been fully reconditioned by Acme to its original mechanical standard. The mechanism has been carefully cleaned and calibrated to ensure it performs to factory specifications. It bears the permanent Acme Seal, attached discretely on the mechanism, identifying restoration within our workshop and providing enduring provenance.
This is an exceptionally complete surviving example of one of the last factory-produced Fraktur typewriters, preserving not only the machine itself but also the documentary record of its original purpose. It will be shipped fully-insured and comes with a 5-year mechanical warranty.
Specifications
Maker: VEB Robotron (Erika)
Model: Erika 127
Year: 1985
Country of Manufacture: German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
Keyboard: German QWERTZ
Typeface: Fraktur
Configuration: Portable manual typewriter
Condition: Exceptionally fine original condition
Restoration: Acme Type Machine Company, bearing the permanent Acme Seal
Included: Original carrying case; documentation from the *Bund für deutsche Schrift*; dated receipt; factory identification tag; original spare Fraktur type slugs; new ribbon
Warranty: Two-year mechanical guarantee