Rare Fox Typewriter, United States, ca. 1906. With Spanish Keyboard and Working

This typewriter is a real museum piece, a machine made by Fox Typewriter Company circa 1906. This model is one of the visible typewriters that the company manufactured and also one of the first visible typewriters ever made. Visible typewriters let the user read the text that he or she is typing, thanks to a system called upstrike by means of which the types hit the paper upwards. Fox Typewriter Company (Grand Rapids, Michigan) started manufacturing blind machines (with downstrike system) in 1898 and was liquidated in 1921, after a long litigation for patent infringement because of the launching of the first model with collapsible carriage produced by the firm, the Fox Baby. Though the patent was never withdrawn, the high monetary expenditure seemed to be too much for the firm and eventually it closed its doors.This typewriter is a notable model because of several features. It is a somewhat antique model with a peculiar design, with a delicately curved body quite different from the solid and compact appearance of the models from those times. This look is obviously inspired in Art Déco style, very fashionable in the beginning of the 20th century. The types also draw our attention as they show two different lengths. This particular piece still keeps the name and city of the firm in golden capital letters, printed over the carriage. To its right we can see the beautiful logo of the brand in green, red, white and gold. The typewriter works pefectly and keeps all its original components.This machine is in good condition though the trace of time and the use have surely put their stamp on its outside. Some pieces and parts of the lacquered finish show slight signs of wear, but these details are part of the typewriters history and life. The keyboard is composed of black and red keys with white letters, all of them made of celluloid. This material was typical of Fox typewriters, though the firm also manufactured some models with the classical glass and nickel ring keys. It is a Spanish keyboard: the symbol ½ just over the comma helps the user to type the Ñ letter.We can undoubtedly say that this typewriter is a real survival of the first times of typing. Its rareness and original design make it worthy of a place in the best collection.