Early Curta Type 1 Mechanical Calculator / Adding Machine. S/N 5028
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:24382323 | Maker: Contina AG |
| Featured Refinements: Mechanical Calculator |
Aside from the low serial number, the other features that identify this as an early Curta calculator are the right-hand threads on the can (note the slope of the embossed threads in the first picture), “CURTA” in quotes, “System Curt Herzstark” on the calculator, and the round pins for setting the numbers. The serial number, 5028, indicates that this Curta was made in the second year of production, 1948.
This Curta is quite dirty but works very well. ...There is more friction and noise than a well-oiled Curta would have, but it never balks or binds. It appears to have been left out of the can quite a bit, possibly on a desk, in the cleared condition most of the time. Note how much dirtier the zeros are in the result windows than the other numbers. Both the crank handle and clearing ring are bent (see pictures), but not broken, and still function perfectly. Some of the black finish on the bottom has worn off, making me wonder how that could happen. The rubber pad in the bottom of the can had long since turned to a black, sticky goo (akin to under-baked brownies) when I opened this can, and much of it was clinging to the bottom of the calculator. I cleaned that off, and removed as much of the goo from the bottom of the can as I could get. I replaced the pad with two layers of plastic foam sheet. There is no bumper or pad at all in the lid of the can. I suspect the original was only glued in, and it isn’t there anymore.
This Curta 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 behalf of the estate of Robert K. Otnes.
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. Buyers in other states will be charged their local sales tax.
Shipping will be by USPS Priority Mail. Shipping charges will be somewhat higher for destinations outside the USA. The current pandemic is causing major disruptions in international mail, with normal mail service temporarily suspended to some countries (see https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm). Before bidding, check that mail service is still available to your country.
This Curta is quite dirty but works very well. ...There is more friction and noise than a well-oiled Curta would have, but it never balks or binds. It appears to have been left out of the can quite a bit, possibly on a desk, in the cleared condition most of the time. Note how much dirtier the zeros are in the result windows than the other numbers. Both the crank handle and clearing ring are bent (see pictures), but not broken, and still function perfectly. Some of the black finish on the bottom has worn off, making me wonder how that could happen. The rubber pad in the bottom of the can had long since turned to a black, sticky goo (akin to under-baked brownies) when I opened this can, and much of it was clinging to the bottom of the calculator. I cleaned that off, and removed as much of the goo from the bottom of the can as I could get. I replaced the pad with two layers of plastic foam sheet. There is no bumper or pad at all in the lid of the can. I suspect the original was only glued in, and it isn’t there anymore.
This Curta 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 behalf of the estate of Robert K. Otnes.
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. Buyers in other states will be charged their local sales tax.
Shipping will be by USPS Priority Mail. Shipping charges will be somewhat higher for destinations outside the USA. The current pandemic is causing major disruptions in international mail, with normal mail service temporarily suspended to some countries (see https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm). Before bidding, check that mail service is still available to your country.
