| European Typewriters / Germany / M, N and O |
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| MARKANA Thomas Fuertig collection This machine, with serial number 9418, is actually a relabeled Commercial, and is thought to be a Model 6 of that line although it is nearly identical to the Model 5. The Commercial is seen on our page "A, B and C." The front labels are 'Julius Engler' and 'Hagen-Westfalen.' See below for more information about this machine, and a number of others appearing elsewhere on this site. |
| MERCEDES Tilman Elster collection Extensive line of machines made in Germany starting around 1907, and which got in on the early move toward visible writing. This is a very early example; many more can be seen by following the link. Link: Mercedes gallery. |
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| MINERVA Thomas Fuertig collection Our sharp-eyed viewers may note the degree of similarity between the Minerva seen here and the Markana seen above, as well as other machines on various pages of this site. Some explanation is required. The same design of machine was produced by several separate companies, located in Nurnberg (Nuremburg) Germany. The ownership of these various companies over time was in one family, but the actual members involved changed over time, with other investors from time to time. This family can be said to have three "root machines," each of which has a number of name variants. |
| The Minerva seen here (serial number 12027) is a Model 4, and is representative of the first of three families. This family was produced beginning in 1909, and is said to have run through the 1920's. Another family branch began in 1914 as the "Commercial." Lastly, in 1921, yet a third company began production of the "Reliable." This complicated history is made worse by the fact that many re-labelings were made on each of the three varieities. On this site, we have referred to the 'root' machines as 'Minerva,' 'Commercial' and 'Reliable' since these are also the names of the companies that made the machines (except for the earliest period of production of the Minerva.) The Kuhrt family was involved with all three companies, and this name appears as part of the manufacturers' names from time to time as the names come and go. This then explains the appearance of so many visually similar machines -- they are visually similar because they are all roughly the same machine inside and outside! Commercial and Reliable machines have the odd-looking type bar segment seen above on the Markana, while Minerva machines have a segment with more normal appearance. This may be associated with interchangeable type-baskets on the Commercial machines. |
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| MONOFIX Thomas Fuertig collection This machine, also seen labeled MENTOR or, rarely THURINGIA, was made in Germany beginning about 1909. Although the shape of the machine might at first glance lead one to think it were a thrust-action machine, it in fact has conventional type-bars hidden under the top shield with the elaborate "MONOFIX" decal. Serial number 5766-A. |
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| NORA Thomas Fuertig collection We present the NORA, serial 5318, for the moment without extended comment as the only reference to it is in Beeching, with a date of 1914. Produced in Germany. The similarity of the machine to the Edward Hess designed Royal Standard / No. 1 through No. 5 is striking, and one is left to wonder for now if this machine were not license-built or else based upon expired patents. |
| ODOMA Thomas Fuertig collection The Odo first appeared in 1921, built in Darmstadt Germany. The name almost immediately changed to Odoma, and this machine, an ODOMA NORMAL (Model 1) is a very early example, having serial number 1574. Production lasted about 16 years, and this machine was also distributed in England briefly by the Blick Typewriter Company as the "Blickensderfer-Odoma." |
| OMEGA Thomas Fuertig collection Once again, sharp-eyed readers will note that this machine bears more than a passing resemblance to the Markana, and Minerva, seen above. It is of the same basic design, but it appears as if a separate branch were split off and produced outside Nurnberg. Two other firms, in Koburg 1911-1914 and then postwar in Augsburg manufactured the design as well. This OMEGA is of the latter variant; made by Mayer GmbH of Augsburg, Germany and with serial number 934. It appears as if this branch of the whole family was much less numerous than the Minerva-Commercial-Reliable set. This "other branch" could be referred to as the Franconia-Omega set. |
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| MENTOR Tilman Elster collection This machine could be referred to as a semi-standard, because of its size and lower profile, although it is capable of heavier work than portables. This is a Mentor No. 3, serial number 2426, which dates to 1913. See the MONOFIX below for more information and a slightly different styling treatment of the same basic machine. |
| MERKUR Tilman Elster collection Incredibly, this machine is serial number 001. It dates to roughly 1905, and is actually a relabeled Stoewer Model 3. Not to be confused with a number of other machines bearing this name, including the Merkur/Phonix made by an unrelated company whose name included the word 'Merkur'. |
| ODOMA Tilman Elster collection Here is a later ODOMA, serial 10661, which dates to 1932. Note the subtle styling change of rounding over the front plate above the type bars, as well as the different style of decal applied. |
| OMEGA Tilman Elster collection For another view of the same make and model, we see Tilman's example with serial number 2785. The size, shape and arrangement of the side openings on these machines is quite interesting visually, and different from most others that had such openings. |
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| MONOFIX Tilman Elster collection Incredible wide-carriage version of this machine, with serial 4707-A. These versions seen here date from 1921-1926. |
| MENTOR Tilman Elster collection Wonderful side styling, with the name MENTOR cast-in is a notable mark of this machine. This example is serial number 536, built 1909. |
| OPTIMA Click here to see a selection of OPTIMA machines. |
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| NEYA Tilman Elster collection "Fabrikat S. Roeder - A. Ney" on the segment. This firm was in Berlin, and built this interesting little three-bank portable from 1925-1931. This example is serial number 31615. |
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| METEOR Tilman Elster collection Interesting little three-bank double-shift portable made in some numbers in Dresden from about 1911 through about 1925. This is a Meteor Model 1, with serial 1113 and which dates to about 1911. |
| METEOR Tilman Elster collection The front frame of this machine says "Sachs. Strickmaschinenfabrik "METEOR" G.M.B.H. Dresden Abt. Schreibmaschinenbau." This example is serial 13121 and was introduced about 1913, produced through 1922. |