{"product_id":"rare-blick-90-typewriter-with-carrying-case-blickensderfer-typewriter","title":"Rare Blick 90 Typewriter with Carrying Case - Blickensderfer typewriter","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"0\"\u003eThe \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"4\"\u003eBlick-90\u003c\/b\u003e (also known as the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"32\"\u003eBlick Ninety\u003c\/b\u003e or \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"0\" data-index-in-node=\"48\"\u003eRoberts 90\u003c\/b\u003e) is an incredibly rare, fascinating piece of typewriter history. It represents the final, twilight era of the famous Blickensderfer Typewriter Company before it faded away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003eHere is the essential breakdown of the Blick-90 for your workshop records:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003e1. The Historical Background\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eThe Blick 90 was introduced right around \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"41\"\u003e1919–1920\u003c\/b\u003e. It was one of the very last models engineered at the Blickensderfer factory in Stamford, Connecticut, following the death of inventor George Blickensderfer in 1917. In 1919, the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"230\"\u003eL.R. Roberts Typewriter Company\u003c\/b\u003e purchased the struggling Blickensderfer assets and briefly manufactured this machine. Because of this transition, you will find this exact mechanical design badged under three different names depending on where it was sold:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eBlick 90 \/ Blick Ninety\u003c\/b\u003e (USA)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eRoberts 90\u003c\/b\u003e (After the corporate takeover)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eGloria\u003c\/b\u003e (The export name variant used for marketing in Europe)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e2. Key Mechanical Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eTypewriter historians note that the Blick 90 moved away from some of the radical innovations of early Blicks (like the famous spinning typewheel seen on the Blick 5 and 7) and leaned closer to a more standardized style, though it kept a few unique tricks:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e90-Character Capacity:\u003c\/b\u003e It utilizes a 30-key layout with a \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"58\"\u003edouble-shift mechanism\u003c\/b\u003e (Fig \u0026amp; Caps) to achieve a full 90-character typing array.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eInterchangeable Type Sections:\u003c\/b\u003e Its single greatest mechanical selling point was that the \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"89\"\u003eentire type-lever section is completely removable and interchangeable\u003c\/b\u003e. A typist could pull out the whole segment block and swap it for an entirely different typeface or a completely different foreign language layout in seconds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe \"Blick-Bar\" Style:\u003c\/b\u003e Unlike the typewheel models, this machine used individual type-bars, sitting in a distinctive curved basket assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003e3. Extreme Rarity \u0026amp; Survivor Status\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eIf you ever come across one of these in the wild, it is a massive historical find.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\"\u003eAccording to data from the \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"27\"\u003eTypewriter Database\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"48\"\u003eslightly more than 20 units are known to survive worldwide\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\"\u003eKnown serial numbers for existing survivors range selectively from \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"67\"\u003e141 to 1143\u003c\/b\u003e, featuring a unique, distinct serial number series separate from traditional Blick portables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003eIt is essentially a holy grail machine for early 20th-century American typewriter collectors!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003e📜 The Extraordinary Backstory of this Rare Blick-90\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3,0\"\u003eThis specific \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"14\"\u003eBlick-90 (Blick Ninety)\u003c\/b\u003e carries a fascinating transatlantic history. Discovered by us in Manchester, UK, in 2023, the typewriter had been cherished by its previous owner for over half a century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3,1\"\u003eThe prior custodian acquired this mechanical treasure directly from the United States in the 1970s while traveling. For decades, it was kept safely as a beloved personal souvenir. It was only recently, after consulting typewriter historians and database registries, that the family realized the true monumental rarity of what they possessed: an exceptionally scarce, early 20th-century American survivor, with \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3,1\" data-index-in-node=\"410\"\u003efewer than 30 units known to exist globally.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3,1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3,1\" data-index-in-node=\"410\"\u003eSerial K-998\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3,1\" data-index-in-node=\"410\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3,1\"\u003eOne of the rare occasions to find a Blick 90 with its original case. We tried to restore and managed to get it clipping and clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3,1\"\u003eMechanical Condition:\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(237, 50, 12); text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSold as Display and as a collectable item\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, although it types but platen is hardened, mechanism moving but not reliable to type. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3,1\"\u003eAll key strike and move, bell dings. colour selection not tested and tab not reliable. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3,1\"\u003eLetter L link has been previously linked using a wire by previous owner. kept as is to avoid damage to links.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3,1\"\u003eCosmetic condition: Marks on the main frame, plus, we fitted new rubber feet as old ones are totally worn. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"3,1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 170, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree shipping worldwide for this item. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Mr \u0026 Mrs Vintage Typewriters ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52341913518311,"sku":null,"price":67978.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2384\/6833\/files\/DSC_8909_131a7d04-a4da-4360-af7e-627911b1105b.jpg?v=1784305932","url":"https:\/\/mrmrsvintagetypewriters.com\/zh-hans-za\/products\/rare-blick-90-typewriter-with-carrying-case-blickensderfer-typewriter","provider":"Mr \u0026 Mrs Vintage Typewriters ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}