American Visible typewriter - 1891

To print a character on this strange keyboard one slides the nickel-plated handle, on top of the keyboard, left and right so one of its four pointers has selected a character. The lever on the left side of the machine is then pushed down, causing a metal rod to push the chosen character forwards from a strip of molded rubber characters (shown below) against the platen. Two felt inking rollers, kept the rubber strip inked as one moved the handle back and forth.

To see my collection of antique typewriters please go to www.antiquetypewriters.com