1891 Hall 1 (New York) #803
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Martin Howard (MartinHoward)
Created: 11-07-2020 at 12:06PM
Last Edit: 11-07-2020 at 01:00PM
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Description:
Thomas Hall, a Brooklyn engineer, invented this first index typewriter. A typewriter with no keyboard that requires one to use a selector (the black handle) to choose the characters when typing. It is housed in a handsome mahogany case with a beautiful brass handle and latch (see below).
The Hall originally sold for $40, an economical alternative to the $100 keyboard machines; a good horse-drawn carriage could be bought for $70. At a time when few people knew how to type efficiently with both hands, it would have seemed reasonable to the operator of the Hall to pick out the characters using one hand.
This is an early example with all of its parts nickel plated.
To learn more about the Hall please visit my website www.antiquetypewriters.com
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Martin Howard (MartinHoward)
Martin Howard's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 255
I am a collector of 19th century typewriters and have built a collection that shows the remarkable ingenuity and beauty of the world's first typewriters. I have always been interested in the beginnings of a machine when there is an eruption of approaches to making it. Early typewriters are an exceptional example of this incubation period.
My collection can be seen at antiquetypewriters.com
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Hall 1 (New York) on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Hall Serial Number page and the Hall 1 (New York) By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
