Rare 1906 Bennet Junior

This is the world’s smallest keyboard typewriter, made by the Bennett Company in 1908. This model, the junior, represents the first model the company produced—and for that reason it is a rarity.

The Bennett is also marked unique because it is a single element typewriter, much like the IBM selectric, and many other older typewriters. It uses a drum around which the print is positioned, which rotates into a selection when you depress a key.

The machine has been serviced and overhauled, it is in fabulous working order, though the parts do show signs of age, weathering, and rust. The mechanics are sound, and though it prints, it is a direct inking machine which uses ink rollers. This method does not deliver sufficient ink coverage all the time, and is the main reason the Bennett Company switched to using ribbons a couple years later.

It was sold primarily as a novelty item, which it will be sold for now. It is a great machine for journaling on the go, but not the most pleasant to type on. Regardless of what you want to use it for, it will be well suited to the task.