Baruch Blaker and his BAT

 

Baruch Blaker with BAT motorcycle c 1902.

I have no more details about this superb postcard other than the caption. You've got to assume that the postcard was produced as a promotional tool for BAT motorcycles. BAT were named after the company's founder, Samuel Batson, and from the start were prominent in competition. Following competition success the company in 1903 adopted the logo, 'Best After Test'. The BAT in this image has a De Dion Bouton engine which should date it as 1901 or 1902.

I can't find much out about Baruch Blaker but he seems to have been quite a character. From what I can find he was a resident of Worthing in West Sussex and was a sporting cyclist from the earliest days. He was an early convert to motor bicycles and was a competition rider in the very first motor sport events. There is a record of him having competed at the first Brighton Speed Trials in 1905. He apparently ran a photography studio in Worthing from 1899 to 1904 and then later ran a shop selling bee keeping apparatus as well as wax and honey.

BAT combo

A magnificent motorcycle from one of the pioneer manufacturers. It's a BAT v-twin from approx 1920.

BATs had several distinctive features, amongst which is the leading link fork and round petrol tank held on with nickeled straps (a design also used by NUT and Martynside).

There seems to be confusion as to whether the correct name is 'Bat' or 'BAT'. The company was founded in 1901 by a gentleman by the name of  Samuel Batson. The first model was introduced in 1902 and following its success (in competition rather than sales) the slogan 'Best After Test' was adopted in 1903. Early adverts feature cricket bats and the flying rodents of same name. The petrol tank transfers gave the name as 'Bat' but in advertising the company name was capitalised.

BAT were never a volume manufacturer and eventually folded in 1926.

Magnificent JAP engined v-twin BAT combination
from c1920.