---Blickensderfer No. 7, 1897---
--Blickensderfer Electric, 1902

How much can be said of the famous Blickensderfer Typewriter? This wonderfully appealing single element machine was a mechanical marvel. A press on the key spun the type-wheel into place, sending it in an arc down to the platen, brushing past an ink roller on the way. The "Blick" as it's also known, made its commercial debut at the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. Full production began about 1895, with the No. 5 (earlier models were apparently prototypes only) . Most common are models 5 & 7. Models 6,8,9 not uncommon, but not AS common as 5&7. Rarest Blick is the 1902 Electric. Wow. Just like the IBM Selectric... only 60 years EARLIER!
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Blick 7 from Russo Collection
Blick Electric from Milwaukee Public Museum