|
Of A Mechanical Nature |
|
|
Antique & Vintage
Calculators, Adders & Slide Rules
Keuffel
& Esser Thatcher #4012 Slide Rule / Calculator The king of calculators / slide
rules. The famous Thatcher calculator with its near unique sliding drum design has scales totaling over 30' long. The Thatcher
slide rule / calculator was first patented in England in 1881 and was an
immediate hit. K & E bought the
rights to it, and had them produced by Stanley of England in the early days before moving the
production here to the states near the turn of the century.
The serial # on the instrument is 5307. The overall condition of the rule itself is exceptional. The scales are a light mellow tan / yellow, but there is virtually no rust spots , browning, or damage to the scales as is often found on these Slide Rules / instruments. The inner scales on the drum are very nice. The instructions on the base are very nice noting the one scuff on the left side. The original instruction booklet is present and the spine has been taped, but there are no missing pages. The mahogany box is very nice and has its original finish which has a slight crinkle finish from age. All in all one of the nicest examples of this rare and interesting calculating slide rule I have ever had the pleasure to sell.
Pic Pic Pic Pic Pic Pic Pic Pic
sid-4012-1
Excellent ..... $1750.00
K & E / Keuffel
& Esser Thatcher #4012 Slide Rule / Calculator
This is another slightly earlier version of a
Thatcher's calculator. The famous Thatcher calculator with its near unique sliding drum design has scales totaling over 30' long. Thatcher
slide rules were first patented in England in 1881 and were an
immediate sucess. K & E bought the
rights to produce them, and intially Stanley of England produced them in England
before K & E moved production to the states near the turn of the century.
The serial # on the instrument is 4572. The overall condition of the rule itself is exceptional with no chips or damage to the scales to speak of. There are just a few very small brown spots. In general the scales are a light mellow tan / yellow, and there is virtually no rust spots , browning, or damage to them as is often found on these Slide Rules / instruments that have been stored improperly. The inner scales on the drum are very nice as well. The instructions on the base are very nice. The mahogany box is very dark, nice and has its original finish. There are no names carved into the box or base of the calculator itself. There is a cosmetic and tight crack in the top of the box. Another very nice example of this rare and interesting calculating slide rule.
Pic Pic Pic Pic Pic Pic Pic Pic
GK-4012-T1
Excellent ..... $1350.00
Keuffel
& Esser #4100 Stadia Slide Rule / Calculator
Keuffel & Esser was the most prolific maker in America of Slide Rules.
They made different ones for all types of trades and scientific pursuits, and
some of these special use rules are very hard to find and desirable in the
collectible arena. This is their 12" Stadia rule, and it comes
complete
with its case and the instructions are under the center slide. It is in
super condition and the previous owner did not bother putting his name anywhere. .
LM-KE4100
Excellent ..... $125.00 SOLD!
"The Jeffers" Calculator
This is a very unusual and complex Agricultural related calculator. It is
in super near unused condition. It is a wooden box that opens to reval the
calculator inside. It measures approx 5 x7". Inside the front door on the left side are
the instructions and explanation of what you would need this for and how to use
it. Basically it is for computing just the right mixtures of feed and
ingredients for livestock nutrition derived from different ratios of mixtures of
different grains and meals. Sound complicated, just try using it to see
how tedius it is. I think that pretty much explains the
condition, as I would be willing to bet most of the livestock got whatever was
available in the way of leftovers from the corn crop or other grain crops, and that
was pretty much it. There must be 60-70 different printed slides
stored on the left which you would put into the holders on the right, and start
computing the ratios, cost, weight and so forth. I have a feeling this did
not go over real big with the typical country farmer, and back then, when the
farms were pretty much family owned something like this was not really needed or
desired. Perhaps today, and perhaps the Chinese should be using something
like it before they add to much of whatever to the next batch of dog food, or
your food.
I looked it over, and tried it out, and I can confirm it is pretty much non understandable. That is what makes it a great collectible in the field of calculation.
BS-Jeffers
Excellent ..... $595.00
Fowler's Long Scale Calculator
Fowler is a well known English name in circular sliderules / calculators.
They made a variety of different models and size calculators including many
circular versions like this one. Some were
designed for architects, or engineers, and others were made for the textile
trades. Larger ones are referred to as Magnums, and this 2 3/4" model is
referred to as the pocket size. This Long Scale Fowler
calculator is in super like new condition with its outer hard shell marked case.
The original instructions are included as well. There is a plaque inside the
case that gives the location as Manchester England. There is a serial
number under the glass on one side, but there is no specific model designation
other than the long scale that I can see.
BS-FLScale
Excellent ..... $595.00
"The Locke Adder" This unusual
sliding bar adder / calculator was patented in Kensett Iowa in 1901. These
unusual adding machines can be found
marked with a second patent date from 1905 as well, and so I assume we can call
this the first model.
This adder seems kind simplistic in the scheme of things as the design of calculators and adders had been progressing rapidly and was well advanced past this design by 1900, but I guess they had not heard that in outer Iowa and about what was going on in the rest of the world. This probably helps explain its relative scarcity as it probably was not very popular outside of that area and seemed dated to potential buyers elsewhere it was offered to. That old world view probably explains some of the goings on in Iowa today as well.
This example is in excellent condition and show little signs of wear or tear. The main body is pressed steel in a copper flash finish, and the sliding adding bars have nearly all of their original paint. The slides all function as they should. An interesting piece that clearly demonstrates just how far the field of calculation has come and how Iowa fits into the picture.
BS-Lockaddeer
Excellent ..... $650.00
"Simplicitas" Addizonartrice
Despite its name "Simplicitas" this adder is anything but simple and is as
complicated an adding machine as I have ever seen before. And I should
note, I have never seen this one before, and can find no mention of it running
searches on the internet or visiting several sites I know of that cover these
pieces.
As can be seen it has 9 dials mounted on a nicely finished wooden board. It measures approx 22" long overall. It comes in the original fabric / faux leatherette case. Note there is one small ding in the top right corner of the back board. Overall it is very nice though. It has its original bone or ivory pointer as well.
The layout, with a single dial to the left, and then a group of 3, and then a group of 5 with 2 above 3, must mean something, to someone, but is beyond my reasoning capabilities. On top of that, each dial has 3 scales. 1-9 on the outside, then another 2 different scales under the wheel with one going into at least double digits. All of the dials are independent of each other and do not carry from one to the next. We need the instruction manual for this one, or you can spend a few minutes figuring it out.
BS-Ital-Adder
Good+ ..... $1450.00 SOLD!
Marchant Calculator
The Marchant Calculator company was based in Oakland Ca and began operation near
the turn of the century with their non-electric pin wheel design
calculators that are well known and highly collectible. As the technology
grew they moved on to electric models and this must have been one of the more
exotic models with all of the additional keys to the right. It looks to date
from the 30's or so.
Pic
cyn-march-1
Good+ ..... $40.00
Comptometer
Adder / Calculator
The Comptometer Adder / Calculator is one of the most commonly seen and well
know of all calculators. The first model were housed in a wooden case and
are quite hard to find, but these later models in tan / brown metal cases are
quite common and abound. This one is in pretty nice condition, and seems
to function just fine. They make for a nice display and speak to how far
along we have come since these were phased out by more advanced adders and
calculators.
Pic
Pic
cyn-comp-1
Good ..... $50.00
Please See Sales Archives for Examples of Past Sales
We want to help you sell your quality Antiques in this Category.
If you have a collection of similar antiques and want further info please see our FAQ page, the Appraisal / Selling Page and the Selling Your Collection Pages for further info.
Click your Browser back button to return to the last page you were at.
or
