190x Blickensderfer 8 #146882
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Theresa Kaymak (tjbh13)
Created: 12-09-2018 at 10:14AM
Last Edit: 12-09-2018 at 10:30AM
Description:
This Blickensderfer 8 was purchased in December 2018 on Ebay. It was a great deal from Ebay for $100! The seller's pics were terrible (it was completely covered in dust!) After a quick cleanup, it seems that with a little love this machine may actually be easily repaired to working order. It is missing a couple of screws. The rubber feet under the machine have rotted away. There is some rust, but it doesn't look like any of the moving parts have been affected. It is also missing the "e" key and the ruler /paper plate. The typewheel moves with every key! The carriage rolls, but does not move right to left. The carriage lever has become undone and I believe whatever it attaches to has become undone. My gut tells me it will be a simple fix! Overall, I am very happy and hope to get it up and running! Blicks were famous for their scientific keyboards. This one is a QWERTY, which would have been a special order. Most websites say the first year of productin was 1908, although I have seen at least one that says 1907. According to Wikipedia, "This model was a considerable success and more were sold in 1908 than any other model. This machine was more massive and sturdier looking than the 7 with a two-piece typehead casting and a popular backspace mechanism. The tabulator used large nickel-plated levers placed on top of the machine, making it easy to operate. Production peaked in 1910 and declined until production ended in 1917. About 20,000 Blick 8's were produced, accounting for about 10% of all Blick models sold."
Typeface Specimen:
Links:
- Smithsonian
- Wikipedia
- Manual - Machines of Loving Grace
- Typewriter Museum
- 1908 Ad & Info
- Company history w pics
Photos:
Hunter: Theresa Kaymak (tjbh13)
Theresa Kaymak's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Blickensderfer 8 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Blickensderfer Serial Number page and the Blickensderfer 8 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.