The Hammonia was the first European typewriter to be produced in any numbers; however, this machine is scarce today. This example with English writing was exported to their agent for Canada R.J. McDowall. The long brass blade has the characters cut out along the bottom edge (see photo detail below). To type one lifts the blade and moves it back and forth to select a character, then one pushes the black wooden handle straight down somewhat like a cheese slicer! The Martin Howard Collection