James B. Hammond played a pivotal part in the development of the typewriter. After serving in the American Civil War as a correspondent for the New York Tribune, Mr. Hammond understood the importance of a mechanical typing machine and sought to improve on the printed output of the typewriter designs of the day. After some experimentation, Mr. Hammond created a typewriter with an automatic printing mechanism, one which allowed the user to print a character on a piece of paper directly from the force he or she used in striking a key. The Hammond typewriter had the exclusive features of interchangeable type and variable spacing between characters and automatic type impression. The latter, allowed a novice typist to write all characters in a uniform appearance. The first Hammond typewriters were produced in New York City by the Garvin Machine Company in 1886.

Mr. Hammond also sought to improve upon the current typewriter keyboards of the day and soon created the “Ideal” keyboard. The “Ideal” keyboard placed the most regularly used keys in a position on the keyboard that conformed more naturally to the position of the operator’s hands, thereby allowing the typist to manipulate the keyboard with greater speed and dexterity. Unfortunately, his innovative “Ideal” keyboard did not catch on with manufacturers, due in part to the overwhelming proliferation and use of the “Standard” keyboard at the time.

We offer the following Antique Typewriters:

About Our Antique Hammond Typewriters:

We acquire our antique Hammond typewriters from original owners, estate sales and auctions and discriminantly select only those machines that we believe will appeal to our customers. After an initial inspection and comprehensive cleaning we then grade our antique typewriters using the scale below. Those typewriters classified as either Platinum, Gold or Silver are then restored to their near original condition by professional typewriter technicians. Each typewriter is gently cleaned with non-abrassive chemicals and solvents, oiled, mechanically adjusted and restored using original

parts. We strive to retain the original decals and stencils on each typewriter. For each individual typewriter we identify any marks or blemishes where applicable to ensure you are aware of the overall condition of the antique typewriter in question prior to ordering.

How we rate our Antique Typewriters:
	Platinum: These typewriters are in either Near Mint or Restored condition and may show slight cosmetic defects attributable to the age of the typewriter not due to negligence or human intervention.
	Gold: These typewriters are in Very Good condition and may show some cosmetic defects attibutable to age and human intervention, but the functionality and overall cosmetic integrity is very good.
	Silver: These typewriters are in Good condition and may have some cosmetic defects but are in overall good working order.
	Bronze: These typewriters are in Average condition and may have several cosmetic and functional defects and may require restoration or could best serve as a non-functional antique display piece.
	Nickel: These typewriters are in Poor condition and may exhibit several cosmetic and functional defects. Some or many parts may be rusted. These could best serve for restoration parts or for your own vintage project.