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Adler Favorit 2
Serial # 553794
1939
1935 ad for the model 1 Favorit
The Adler Favorit was introduced in 1935 as a "kofferschreibmaschine": liteally "suitcase typewriter" but probably best translated as "travel typewriter". In 1937, it was replaced by the Favorit 2, featuring improved carriage bearings, paper guide, and line spacing mechanism. It was priced at 155 Reichsmarks, or about $62.25. Although costing the equivalent of $951 in today's money, this was actually a moderately-priced typewriter. It sold very well across Europe, though is seldom found here in the United States. Interestingly, it still employs the thrust-action typebar mechanism licensed from Wellington Parker Kidder in 1896. (See how the typebars work.)
The Favorit 2 was the last new model built in Adler's Frankfurt factory. In 1939 typewriter production was suspended and the factory converted to military production to support the war. On May 8, 1945, the factory was destroyed by Allied bombs. |
Adler Primus
Serial # 1634937
1959
The Adler and Triumph companies merged in 1957. The Primus--which types much better than it looks--is a rebadged version of the Triumph Gabriele. |
Adler J4
Serial # 3997055
Same machine as the J2, with some minor additional features. It is a good machine, but is burdoned with the ugly yellowed keys typical of Adlers from this era, and a somewhat "slushy" touch that I personally find a bit distracting.
Download the manual for this typewriter here.
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Adler J5
Serial # 15729584
Like the Primus, it types much better than it looks. Recently, I found the Adler nameplate lying in the back corner of its case and glued it back on. |
Adler Tippa S
Serial # 10048378
c.1975
Serial number data for Adlers after 1973 is hard to find. Around this time, Triumph-Adler was caught up in a vortex of corporate conglomerations within conglomerations. T-A was bought by Litton (this machine bears the Litton "li" on the back), who already owned Royal and Imperial. Designs began to be licensed among Litton's holdings and brand names and model labels swapped around..
I would guess that this machine numbering over 10 million is from 1975-1980. It's possible that Litton maybe reset the serial numbers to start at 10000000...or not.
As a typer, it's not bad. For an ultra-compact portable, it's quite good indeed. As an Adler, I'd place it between the Primus and J4 for usability; as an ultra-compact, I'd say it's not as good as the Lettera 22, but much better than the Royalite or Skyriter. I did experience some problems with the ribbon's automatic reverse--and there's no switch to manually reverse the feed--but that could be a gunk issue with this specimen and not representative of the line in whole. Like all plastic-bodied clamshell designs I've encountered, it tends to be a bit "clattery" without additional padding. |
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