Balestra Barber Shop, Collectible Toys, Coin Op, Primitives, and Antiques-Online Only
Lot 26:
Description
This is an early 20th-century Oliver No. 3 Standard Visible Writer typewriter, manufactured by The Oliver Typewriter Co. in Chicago, Illinois. It features the signature down-strike design with typebars arranged in two vertical, arched banks, a configuration frequently referred to by collectors as batwings. This revolutionary design allowed the typist to see the text as it was being produced on the platen, hence the Visible Writer designation. The frame is constructed of cast iron finished in olive-green enamel, with nickel-plated accents on the typebars, knobs, and mechanical components. It utilizes a three-bank keyboard with circular key tops and includes two shift keys labeled CAP and FIG. The machine is equipped with dual ribbon spools and a cylindrical platen with black rubberized rollers. Raised lettering on both sides of the base reads OLIVER. The front base plate is marked The OLIVER STANDARD VISIBLE WRITER No. 3. The rear frame contains the manufacturer’s stamp: MANUFACTURED BY The Oliver Typewriter Co. CHICAGO, U.S.A. Keep machine cleaned and oiled. Approximate Dimensions: 14 inches W x 12 inches D x 10 inches H.
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