A really rare key! This key won't be restored, it would lose all of its history to tell.

Currently it is one of the keys that I habitually use, together to other BUG.

The C2 type nameplate and 68xxx serial number date this VIBROLPLEX No. 4 to 1919. A November 1918 ad offered three versions of the VIBROPLEX No. 4: (1) with blue enameled base at $15.00, (2) with nickeled plated base at $ 17.00, and (3) "mounted on old style base" at $15.00. The one seen here has both the old style (large) base and nickel plating. It also has the cloverleaf frame found on Racers of this era. And C2 plate is interesting; it is the only plate to list the Boulter key patents (there are ten patent numbers on the plate, more than any other plate). This key has one weight , and is otherwise complete and original. The name was changed to "Blue Racer" about 1920 when the key was offered with a cobalt-blue enamel base.

(it looks at the images under)

This 1919 semi-automatic key still preserves the dust of almost one century of history, even the imprints are still visible left by the telegraphist on the shovels of the key.

These imprints can make us understand as was used! I6QON(C)

With the normal daily use of a key for the telegraphy it is normal that the shovels or knobs are covered by small dirts that with the time they are sediment, this happens if the fingers of the hand perfectly are not always cleaning up. This is what has happened to the Blue Racer of the 1919 of my collection. In the zones where the action of the manipulation is obviously practiced they are virtually cleaner, creating so of the imprints for the contact shovels - fingers. These inprontes allow distance of years to draw the order of manipulation of the key, I tidy up that goes up again to almost one century ago!

The Speed- name is first associated with Electro Manufacturing Co. located in Fresno, California. In 1934, Stewart Johnson bought the Speed-X name and relocated the company to San Francisco.

http://www.i1qod.it/prima.htm