The Fitch Typewriter of 1888 is one of the handful of machines using downstrike type-bars in the backstroke configuration. Only 4 designers employed this system: Waverley, Brooks, North and Fitch.
When typing the type bars swing down towards the typist and strike the top of the platen. The purpose of this design was to give visible typing which was achieved but at a cost, as the paper could no longer escape backwards when typing as the type bars were in the way.
The Fitch was invented by Eugene Fitch of Des Moines, Iowa, and originally manufactured in Brooklyn, New York, but with little success. Another try was made in London, England, and so there are two slightly different versions of the Fitch.
British version is more decorative, which you can look in my collection.
In the world There are around 20 examples of Fitch both versions.
The Keyboard of the Fitch is an original one, the arrangements being as follows
X B M R N G T L P
! 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
J W O A E I U K Q
, " : ; . , - $ ?
V S D H Y C F Z
( I / - 's % & )
The difficulty in the machine is the inking arrangement in order to re-ink the roller, a few drops of the special ink are spread on a piece of glass or stiff paper, and the roller rubbed over it. Should the roller be made too wet, the ink is apt to splash all over the paper.
Seial Numbers Which known
Fitch (America) 153, 168, 323, 338, 378, 395, 404, 420, 424, 520
Fitch (British with American frame) 2058
Fitch (British) 3094, 3237, 3244- my collection, 3287, 3293, 3338, 3502, 3545, 3670
If you have the one please send me serial number.