Marchant XLA Mechanical Calculator / Adding Machine
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:19487 | Maker: Marchant |
The Marchant Calculator Company was founded in 1911 in Oakland, California and initially made mechanical calculators very much like Odhner’s pinwheel calculators. A bit too much like Odhner’s pinwheel calculators as it turned out, and Marchant had to change their design after patent challenges from Odnher. Their next models, the XL and XLA had a completely different mechanish, even though still appearing Odhner-ish. While the XL had the counter mounted on the body... with the setting levers and crank, giving it a sleeker, “industrial art” sort of appearance, the XLA retained the Odhner-ish look, with the counter on the carriage with the result register. When the Great Depression hit, Marchant was making an impressive 40 different models and variations of models. Within a year they were down to two models, and the XLA didn’t make the cut.
This XLA is in great condition, but wow, the carriage feels like it is submerged in molasses! No, make that refrigerated molasses. Sluggish doesn’t begin to describe how reluctant that carriage is to move. It will move, sloooooowly, it just doesn’t want to. It goes without saying that this XLA needs a cleaning and lube job. Other than the sluggish carriage, it seems to work fine.
This calculator is from the collection of Robert K. (“Bob”) Otnes, PhD, one of the founding members of the Oughtred Society and the original editor of the Journal of the Oughtred Society. It is being sold by the Oughtred Society on his behalf.
The Oughtred Society was founded in 1991 by a group of slide rule collectors and is dedicated to the preservation and history of slide rules and other calculating instruments. Membership is open to anyone. Further information about the Oughtred Society can be found at: http://www.oughtred.org/.
PayPal is the only accepted form of payment. Buyers within California will be charged 7.25% sales tax.
Shipping will be by USPS Priority Mail. Shipping charges will be somewhat higher for destinations outside the USA.
This XLA is in great condition, but wow, the carriage feels like it is submerged in molasses! No, make that refrigerated molasses. Sluggish doesn’t begin to describe how reluctant that carriage is to move. It will move, sloooooowly, it just doesn’t want to. It goes without saying that this XLA needs a cleaning and lube job. Other than the sluggish carriage, it seems to work fine.
This calculator is from the collection of Robert K. (“Bob”) Otnes, PhD, one of the founding members of the Oughtred Society and the original editor of the Journal of the Oughtred Society. It is being sold by the Oughtred Society on his behalf.
The Oughtred Society was founded in 1991 by a group of slide rule collectors and is dedicated to the preservation and history of slide rules and other calculating instruments. Membership is open to anyone. Further information about the Oughtred Society can be found at: http://www.oughtred.org/.
PayPal is the only accepted form of payment. Buyers within California will be charged 7.25% sales tax.
Shipping will be by USPS Priority Mail. Shipping charges will be somewhat higher for destinations outside the USA.
