the Merritt Typewriters in this collection came in spring of 2021 from the New York City area

The Merritt typewriter was very successful for an index typewriter with over 10,000 being made. It was patented in 1890 with production starting around 1888. The serial number on these machines is stamped into the wooden base. Early versions of the machine as shown in this collection did not have the name cast into the base of the machine, later on in production around serial number 800 the name was added to the base and the base was nickel plated. To use the machine the user would slide the type rail to the desired character and push down on the handle. this would cause the type slug to raise up to the platen and push against the paper to print. there was a guide to help the alignment of the slug on its journey, the type slugs were pieces of print type that were in common use around the country at the time for printing presses, where letters would need to be set one at a time. The piece of print type merely had an added slot machined into it. Type slugs are not uncommon to go missing as they are just set into place in the type rail. As the machine printed on the bottom side of the platen like an up strike typewriter the carriage was hinged to allow the operator to raise the carriage so the type printed could be seen. Inking was achieved buy use of 2 ink rollers, held in place by an assembly right next to the print point. The ink roller assembly is often missing on Merritts as it just sets into place like the type does. You can read about the Reproduction of the rollers and bodies on this website as well. under the reproduction parts tab.