In the world’s largest toy company’s ongoing bid to churn out more models that make you go “I can’t believe its LEGO!”, they have just announced the LEGO Ideas Typewriter (21327) set!
It features a 1:1 scale brick built typewriter that was modelled after an Erika-10 portable typographer that sat on Ole Kirk Kristensen’s desk back in the 1930s.
The set clocks in at 2079 pieces which is quite a bump in element count from the original LEGO Ideas project submission (the fan design consisted of 1254 pieces).
When fully built it has a length of 27cm and a depth of 26cm which means it will take up approximately a 32×32 baseplate footprint so factor in that space. It is a pretty sturdy build as we were given a preview of the model during the Recognised LEGO Fan Media days.
There are a handful of new colour variants for existing elements and the typewriter “ribbon” is a new cloth element that is introduced in this set.
The recommended retail price for this brick built office piano is SGD$299.90 / USD$199.99 / €199.99 / 329.99 AUD / 269.99 CAD and will be available on the 16th of June for VIP members and July 1st for the public.
From what I gathered from the RLFM days, this would be an amazing build experience considering all the different techniques employed to achieve not only the look of the model but mimicking the actual functions like striking the keys to have the typebar hit the ribbon.
The price point is a little on the high side for me especially if since you could get an actual Erika-10 typewriter off eBay for about the same price. But of course, that’s missing the point of the build experience which is something that also part of what we pay when we purchase the set.
THE LEGO GROUP REVEALS ELEGANT NEW TYPEWRITER
SET BASED ON WINNING FAN DESIGN
Date: 9th June 2021
The LEGO Group has revealed the new LEGO® Ideas Typewriter set which is set to delight the most seasoned wordsmiths and fans of all things vintage. Designed by LEGO fan, Steve Guinness from Chester, UK, as part of the LEGO® Ideas platform, the LEGO Ideas Typewriter is based on a contemporary typewriter model of a bygone era, including the one used by LEGO Group founder Ole Kirk Christiansen.
Intricately designed to mirror the function and tactility of a classic typewriter, the LEGO Ideas Typewriter features a center typebar that rises each time a letter key is pressed, linked to the carriage which moves across as you type, as well as a platen roller that real paper can be fed into.
In a fitting nod to the lost art of letter writing, the premium quality LEGO Typewriter set also comes with a letter written and signed by Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, chairman of the LEGO Group and a fourth-generation member of the family which still privately owns the business to this day.
The original concept for the typewriter came through LEGO fan Steve Guinness’ submission to the LEGO Ideas platform, a LEGO initiative that takes new ideas that have been imagined and voted for by fans and turns them into reality. Discussing his idea, Steve said: “I wanted to create something totally different from anything that LEGO has ever done before and showcase that you really can make anything out of LEGO. I bought a vintage typewriter for my research and then played around with bricks and the mechanism until I was happy with the design. I hope it will bring nostalgia to adult fans like me, and wonder and curiosity to younger fans who might not have ever seen a real typewriter!”
While the concept of the typewriter dates back to the early 18th Century, Steve’s design, and the LEGO design team’s development of it, captures the styling cues of the modern 20th century typewriters, which still have a cult following today.
Federico Begher, VP of Global Marketing at LEGO Group commented: “It’s not hard to see why the vintage typewriter has such enduring appeal, and Steve’s incredible replica is a thoroughly worthy LEGO Ideas success story.
“For many, the escape from the connected world to the simplicity of the typewriter is a similar experience to the mindful process of building with LEGO bricks. Here, we have a LEGO set that combines these two worlds seamlessly and like its real-life counterparts, is something LEGO fans will be proud to display in their homes.”
The LEGO Typewriter is available to buy from 16th June 2021 via LEGO VIP early access and will be on sale on LEGO.com/ideas from 1st July.
FURTHER PRODUCT INFO: LEGO® TYPEWRITER 21327
· Age – 18+
· Model measures:
o Height: 12cm
o Width: 27 cm
o Length: 26 cm
· 2079 pieces
· Based on an original LEGO Ideas design by Steve Guinness, which achieved over 10,000 votes of support via the LEGO Ideas platform
· Features include a center typebar that rises each time a letter key is pressed, linked to the carriage which moves across as you type, as well as a platen roller that real paper can be fed into.
· Every set comes with a signed letter from Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, chairman of the LEGO Group, translated into 43 different languages
· Price: $199.99/€199.99/329.99 AUD/ 269.99 CAD
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