This striking and gorgeous Hammond 1 is incased in golden oak with solid ebony keys. It is a masterpiece of design and function. James Hammond was one of the great typewriter pioneers, beginning work on his remarkable machine in the late 1870s. It was patented in 1880 and was first manufactured in 1885. Instead of using typebars, a split type-shuttle with hardened rubber characters (see detail below) rotates each way into position as the keys are pushed. Then a spring-loaded hammer swings from behind the carriage, striking the paper and ribbon against the type-shuttle to print. The constant force of the hammer gives an even impression to each character typed, regardless of how soft or hard the keys are pushed. The Martin Howard Collection