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1894 Blickensderfer 5 Serial # 4324 1894 Blickensderfer 5 typewriter, Serial # 4324 Brian Hagermann's 1894 Blickensderfer 5 typewriter. 2025-05-23 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Brian Hagermann: 1894 Blickensderfer 5 Serial # 4324 A year or two after arriving in the US from a German settlement in what was then Hungary (now Romania), tailor Franz J. Niklasz (Frank Niklas) purchased a typewriter. At the time, 1910 or thereabouts, Blickensderfer’s agency in Cleveland was in the famous Arcade building, which also housed sales operations for Hammond and Fay-Sholes, among others.

It was there that Mr. Niklas found a used Blickensderfer 5, serial number 4324. It left the factory in 1894 as a telegraph model and still has its two row typewheel in the case’s little wooden cylinder. I purchased it after having a few great conversations with his grandson, who was in the process of post-retirement downsizing–it’s a privilege to be the next caretaker of this wonderful machine.

Photographed as it came to me. Needed a missing nut to secure an escapement pawl. After some cleaning and lubrication--it types! Type sample contains shocking tragic news from...September 1894, approximately the time this was made. Typed using a slightly revitalized, ancient ink roller.

1894 Blickensderfer 5 #4324

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Brian Hagermann (bhagermann)
Created: 05-21-2025 at 09:41AM
Last Edit: 05-23-2025 at 09:37AM

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Description:

A year or two after arriving in the US from a German settlement in what was then Hungary (now Romania), tailor Franz J. Niklasz (Frank Niklas) purchased a typewriter. At the time, 1910 or thereabouts, Blickensderfer’s agency in Cleveland was in the famous Arcade building, which also housed sales operations for Hammond and Fay-Sholes, among others.

It was there that Mr. Niklas found a used Blickensderfer 5, serial number 4324. It left the factory in 1894 as a telegraph model and still has its two row typewheel in the case’s little wooden cylinder. I purchased it after having a few great conversations with his grandson, who was in the process of post-retirement downsizing–it’s a privilege to be the next caretaker of this wonderful machine.

Photographed as it came to me. Needed a missing nut to secure an escapement pawl. After some cleaning and lubrication--it types! Type sample contains shocking tragic news from...September 1894, approximately the time this was made. Typed using a slightly revitalized, ancient ink roller.

Typeface Specimen:

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Photos:



Ghost decal.
Ghost decal.

Ghost patent decal.
Ghost patent decal.


The spacebar is nickel-plated brass on the early Blicks.
The spacebar is nickel-plated brass on the early Blicks.


The upper knurled thumb screw locks out the shift key for figures on the third row of standard typewheels--essential for the two row telegraph typewheel.
The upper knurled thumb screw locks out the shift key for figures on the third row of standard typewheels--essential for the two row telegraph typewheel.


Early retaining clip.
Early retaining clip.

Black ink on this roller. [Update: It's actually purple.] The amount of pressure applied on the paper by these two paper arms/fingers can be adjusted by knurled thumb screws on either side of the typewriter.
Black ink on this roller. [Update: It's actually purple.] The amount of pressure applied on the paper by these two paper arms/fingers can be adjusted by knurled thumb screws on either side of the typewriter.

Left paper finger tension adjustment.
Left paper finger tension adjustment.

Right paper finger tension adjustment. Sorry about the blurry photo.
Right paper finger tension adjustment. Sorry about the blurry photo.



Some custom scribbles from yesteryear.
Some custom scribbles from yesteryear.

This is slightly different from the other single-page "Directions" sheets that I have seen. It is the most brief as well.
This is slightly different from the other single-page "Directions" sheets that I have seen. It is the most brief as well.

(UNSCREW)
(UNSCREW)

Surprise! Two row telegraph typewheel! No numbers apart from a mirrored "01" on the underside, presumably a mold number.
Surprise! Two row telegraph typewheel! No numbers apart from a mirrored "01" on the underside, presumably a mold number.

This is the early three-row "A Fitting" typewheel that came on the typewriter. It is not numbered, apart from the large mirrored "12" mold number on the base. I'm assuming it left the factory with this typewheel, which is interesting because it contains some non-matching characters on the keys: Z£ J§ X^
This is the early three-row "A Fitting" typewheel that came on the typewriter. It is not numbered, apart from the large mirrored "12" mold number on the base. I'm assuming it left the factory with this typewheel, which is interesting because it contains some non-matching characters on the keys: Z£ J§ X^

Included with the typewriter was a pair of two c1910 Blickensderfer brochures, a 1908 No. 8 pamphlet in poor shape, and a small handout advertising the $15 sole leather case accessory. The brochures illustrate the full Blick lineup at the time, saying that the Blick 5 has been on the market for "more than 15 years" which would mean they are from 1908-1909 at the earliest.
Included with the typewriter was a pair of two c1910 Blickensderfer brochures, a 1908 No. 8 pamphlet in poor shape, and a small handout advertising the $15 sole leather case accessory. The brochures illustrate the full Blick lineup at the time, saying that the Blick 5 has been on the market for "more than 15 years" which would mean they are from 1908-1909 at the earliest.

Blickensderfer's address in Cleveland--I've added a link to the Wikipedia entry about The Arcade to the "Links" section of this page. They were at this location around 1907-1913.
Blickensderfer's address in Cleveland--I've added a link to the Wikipedia entry about The Arcade to the "Links" section of this page. They were at this location around 1907-1913.

A postcard showing the Arcade circa 1910. The Blickensderfer agency would have been at the center of this photo, directly across from the camera on the second floor. (The level with the triple globe lamps on the railing.)
A postcard showing the Arcade circa 1910. The Blickensderfer agency would have been at the center of this photo, directly across from the camera on the second floor. (The level with the triple globe lamps on the railing.)






Hunter: Brian Hagermann (bhagermann)

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