Hercules (Erika) CURSIVE Typewriter! Model 240 SL (1980)

HERCULES 240 SL TYPEWRITER—  1980

Original Grass-green finish

CURSIVE typeface/font

[NOTE: We pay all U.S. Tariffs on your purchase.]

A Hercules 240 SL manufactured in Dresden in 1980, in its original grass-green finish and in perfect condition, both mechanically and cosmetically. It is an Erika marketed under another name, made by the same Dresden works in Germany. It carries a CURSIVE typeface and comes with its original case, in very fine condition, and its original cleaning kit.

Hercules was one of several names under which the Dresden typewriter works sold its portables in the West. The works was the former Seidel & Naumann factory, which had introduced the Erika portable in 1910; after 1945 it became a state enterprise and later part of the Robotron combine. Alongside the Erika name itself, its machines were supplied to Western department stores and mail-order houses under names such as Privileg, Präsident and Hercules. This machine has the Elite Cursive typeface with 11 characters to the inch, a script face whose sloping, connected letters give a typed page the look of handwriting.

The grass-green finish is without blemish: there are no marks and the beautiful colour is uniform all over. Every function of the mechanism works as it should. The keyboard is QWERTY but is available also in QWERTZ layout. The machine is accompanied by its original case, in very fine condition, and by its original cleaning kit.

This typewriter has been restored by Acme Type Machine Company to its original factory operating standard. The mechanism has been carefully cleaned, adjusted and calibrated; the original finish and case are unaltered. It bears the permanent Acme Seal, attached discreetly on the mechanism, identifying restoration within our workshop and providing enduring provenance.

SPECIFICATIONS

Maker: VEB Robotron, Dresden (the Erika works)

Model: Hercules 240 SL

Year: 1980

Place of manufacture: Dresden, German Democratic Republic

Keyboard: QWERTY (also available in QWERTZ layout)

Typeface: Elite Cursive, 11 characters to the inch

Finish: Original grass-green

Platen: Reconditioned with a durometer reading of 93

Case: Original, very fine condition

Accessories: Original cleaning kit