Salter No.10
1908 - 1913
George Salter & Company
West Bromwich, England, UK
The Salter Standard No.10 typewriter was nearly identical to the No.7 model except for a few differences which I would call minor tweaks. The No.10 was introduced in 1908 just one year after the No.7 was placed on the market.
The team of John Henry Birch (1855 - 191?) and James Samuel Foley (1857 - 191?) that developed the earlier Salter models also helped develop the ribbon and carriage mechanisms of these later ones. The cosmetic changes to the No.7 & No.10 compared to their predecessor, the No.6, are obvious. The Grecian-like pillars on the sides of the typebars were eliminated and the frame was less angular. A true paper table was added, a wood spacebar replaced the aluminum one and the glasstop keys were replaced with porcelain.
These No.7s & No.10s function similarly to the No.6. The primary mechanical advancements were:
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The carriage's ball bearings were replaced with roller bearings
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The platen's rigid bearings were replaced with rocker bearings
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Margin release keys were added to both sides of the machine
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Wider spools were implemented to accomodate two color ribbons
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The ribbon feed mechanism was updated
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Additional shift key were added to the keyboard
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Tension controls were added
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All of these changes purportedly resulted in a lighter touch, a smoother running carriage and a quieter typewriter. In truth, all Salters were well built machine that were easy to use.
After the success of the No.6 model and prior to commencing production of the No.7, the factory in West Bromwich, England was expanded to accommodate for anticipated higher volume.
Among the minor differences between the No.7 & No.10 models were the additions of a more ergonomic line space lever and an arched metal strip behind the ribbon selector to protect the enamel.
So who's the rather steadfast and intense looking fellow in the photo? Well, that's Albert Jelley (1868 - 1943), the original owner of the Salter No.10 serial numbered 19,671, that is pictured here. Albert was a Master Builder by trade. The photo was taken outside his business on Garratt Lane in Earlsfield, London. His Salter was kept safe all these years by his family. It even migrated with them to Australia in 1966 where it's been since. Albert's descendants were gracious enough to pass it along to me.
The No.10 would be the last of the downstroke, three-bank models that George Salter & Company would produce. Their successor would be the Salter Visible. The Skandia was a Salter No.10 rebranded for the Scandinavian markets.
