1885 Hammond 1 #779
Status: Sightings
Hunter: Ted Munk (munk)
Created: 01-06-2016 at 01:54PM
Last Edit: 09-20-2017 at 06:28PM
Description:
Typewriter photos and description from the collection of Peter Weil:
Hammond # 1 Ideal with Serial # 779. With a lot of work from Bob Aubert and I (Peter Weil), it was restored about ten years ago. It dates from ca early 1885. It is all original, although, at some point in its history, someone (not the factory, replaced the solid sheet metal paper bail tube with a nickel-plated sheet that was perforated toads visibility. It is not the much later steel-mesh, screen-like one found on the # 2. The half-moon cut out was a factory option that required special ordering. It was probably intended to aid in moving the machine along a desk or table surface. Machines with the cut out have no patent plate on them. Moreover, the serial number is burned into the back of the wood case near the mainspring winding hole. The hole is quite deep. At the time, Hammond sold a winding tool. The tool is below. It is not at all clear if the tool was the only way to adjust the spring tension, but no key is mentioned in the materials before the 1890’s.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Ted Munk (munk)
Ted Munk's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Curator
Points: 2786
I am a scoundrel without a cause, and my swank outshines the sun.
I am a casual Typewriter Hunter residing in the sweltering deserts of Arizona with a wife, three cats and about 50 typewriters. My main hunting ground is thrift stores, and I rarely pay more than $10 for a machine. My collection consists mainly of portables with cases, and they stay in the cases unless I am actively using it (usually more than one at a time). I do, however keep a handful of interesting Selectrics, including a Composer and a couple of large Nakajima Electronics to use as daisywheel printers for my vintage laptop collection.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Hammond 1 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Hammond Serial Number page and the Hammond 1 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.