Merritt Manufacturing Co., Springfield, Massachusetts, 1888 – serial no. 9231

Photograph of the Merritt typewriter.

The intriguing Merritt typewriter operates by sliding the black knob, which is connected to a rack of individual printer’s type, back and forth to select a character. Then the knob is pushed down causing a lever to push the selected character up through a guide hole to the underside of the platen. Inking is achieved with two felt rollers that rolled back and forth over the rack of  type. One lifts the carriage to see what was typed.

This typewriter gives excellent alignment and with direct printing to paper, the type quality is crisp and clear.

This typewriter originally sold for $15.00.