Protos Typewriter, 1920s

Protos typewriter, manufactured around 1922 by Zimmer & Co. in Frankfurt, Germany.

This machine is based on its predecessor, the Adler, but the brand did not achieve much commercial success, and production lasted only four years, from 1922 to 1925.

The Protos is notable for its unique typebar mechanism, in which the typebars strike the paper horizontally rather than using the typical vertical motion. It is made of black enamelled cast iron and is medium-sized. The keyboard features three rows of keys with a double shift system. On the cover that hides the typebars, you can see the logo in gold lettering along with the manufacturer’s name and place of origin.

The typewriter is well preserved and in full working order.
A rare and hard-to-find model on today’s market.
Collector’s piece.