Antique Hammond 12 Typewriter. USA, 1905

Amazing antique Hammond 12 typewriter with semicircular keyboard, made in the USA in 1905 (probably for the Dutch market) and in good condition. This machine is a real collectors piece for its ancient age, aesthetic and good working order. It works fine and types fluidly and softly, a very rare feature in these typewriters. The Hammond Typewriter Company was the first firm which commercialized an alternative to the Remington Standard 2. Founded in 1880 by James B. Hammond, they launched their first typewriter (similar to the one that we can see in the images) in 1884. The typebars of these typewriters are interchangeable. The original bars of this particular piece have disappeared and have been replaced by others, also from an ancient typewriter. In this occasion the typebars do not match the keyboard: the typewriter has a ZQJBEP configuration, and the typebars, a AWXDR configuration. Nevertheless, this detail is not relevant as this piece is basically intended for exhibitions and collections. Actually, the fact that the typewriter is in working order and types fluidly is surprising. Should a set of typebars with the same configuration as the typewriter be found, they could be easily replaced and the typewriter would become a fully functional item. Aesthetically, the typewriter is in outstanding condition. It is attached to a solid-oak wooden base which can be connected to the cover, made of the same wood. The base bears a riveted brass plate with the embossed brand name and a logo depicting a world map. The typewriter preserves the original semicircular white-enameled brass plate mounted on top of the keyboard, with the engraved typewriters brand and model: HAMMOND Nº 12. The black keys are quite well preserved and the symbols remain legible. There is an original instruction sheet inside the cover, printed in different languages. This antique Hammond 12 typewriter with semicircular keyboard deserves a special place in a great collection of old-time mechanical machines.