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1974 Adler J5 Serial # 15125924 1974 Adler J5 typewriter, Serial # 15125924 Fumitaka Hayashi's 1974 Adler J5 typewriter. 2026-08-15 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Fumitaka Hayashi: 1974 Adler J5 Serial # 15125924 An Adler J5.

I bid on this one because I wanted a blue one to go with the brown one, and the bit of the slugs visible in the picture was suspicious. Once it arrived, I discovered that this one is in #85 Pica Cubic. It looks a lot like the other cubic-style typeface I own (An Olympia SM9 in Senatorial), but close inspection shows some differences. For instance, the lowercase a is less 'square', and the seven is curved.

The typewriter is in pretty good condition. The feet were totally hardened and broken off, but I happened to have a replacement set, so those went in. The tab was not working, and it turned out that the tab rack was loose on one side, missing a screw. A trip to Home Depot solved that problem. The case was also mostly intact, but sadly the designers relied on the bending of the plastic shell as the hinge mechanism. 50 years has caused this plastic hinge to start cracking, and it was on its last legs. I have reinforced it with some tape, so the chance of catastrophic failure with the typewriter in the case should be minimal.

So overall, another win from the typeface lottery...

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Acquired from Goodwill online auction. This was sent out from Duluth, Minnesota

1974 Adler J5 #15125924

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)
Created: 08-15-2026 at 11:02AM
Last Edit: 08-15-2026 at 11:16AM

Description Hunter 9 Photos 0 Likes  Find on Ebay #AD  Find on Etsy #AD

Description:

An Adler J5.

I bid on this one because I wanted a blue one to go with the brown one, and the bit of the slugs visible in the picture was suspicious. Once it arrived, I discovered that this one is in #85 Pica Cubic. It looks a lot like the other cubic-style typeface I own (An Olympia SM9 in Senatorial), but close inspection shows some differences. For instance, the lowercase a is less 'square', and the seven is curved.

The typewriter is in pretty good condition. The feet were totally hardened and broken off, but I happened to have a replacement set, so those went in. The tab was not working, and it turned out that the tab rack was loose on one side, missing a screw. A trip to Home Depot solved that problem. The case was also mostly intact, but sadly the designers relied on the bending of the plastic shell as the hinge mechanism. 50 years has caused this plastic hinge to start cracking, and it was on its last legs. I have reinforced it with some tape, so the chance of catastrophic failure with the typewriter in the case should be minimal.

So overall, another win from the typeface lottery...

---

Acquired from Goodwill online auction. This was sent out from Duluth, Minnesota

Typeface Specimen:

Photos:

RaRo #85 Pica Cubic
RaRo #85 Pica Cubic






The feet have been replaced with modern reproductions.
The feet have been replaced with modern reproductions.

The case relies on the feet fitting into molded indentations, and the top pressing down to immobilize the typewriter within the case. The carriage return lever is spring loaded so it can press down. Note the crack in the hinge area - the hinge is just an extension of the molded plastic, and the flexing has caused it to crack. It has been reinforced with some tape.
The case relies on the feet fitting into molded indentations, and the top pressing down to immobilize the typewriter within the case. The carriage return lever is spring loaded so it can press down. Note the crack in the hinge area - the hinge is just an extension of the molded plastic, and the flexing has caused it to crack. It has been reinforced with some tape.

The Adler badge is totally covered by the handle. This seems to be poorly designed...
The Adler badge is totally covered by the handle. This seems to be poorly designed...

Hunter: Fumitaka Hayashi (fhayashi)

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