Curta
Type 1 Calculator (FIRST MODEL)
This is a very early and very rare first model
Type
1 Curta calculator. The serial number is 5714. That would
date this within the first couple of years of manufacture back in the late 40's. This
unusual calculator is in excellent condition, fully operational, and shows little sign of either use or abuse, just
a few storage dings on the outer case. The Curta calculator was invented by Carl Herzstark while imprisoned in a German concentration camp during World War II. On the bottom of the calculator is says Made in Liechtenstein, by Contina AG Mauren, No 5714. Case dimensions are approximately 4 5/8" tall by 2 1/4" diameter. The inside of the case has both foam pads to protect the device although the upper foam button has deteriorated a bit.
This interesting design calculator was the top of the line and immensely popular before the advent of the handheld electronic calculator essentially made them obsolete in the 70's. The last ones were made up until about 1970 and all told about 150,00 both Type #1 & Type #2 models were made. Today they are highly collectible pieces, and are an important example of calculation technology in the scheme of things.
This example is in excellent condition and operates flawlessly. The body is very nice and shows no wear or tear and there are just a few minor scuffs on the outer metal case. Note the design of the column levers and how they are different from later examples. The provenance I can offer is that this example came from Brazil and a college professor there was given it by a architect / engineer back in the 50's and it has sat in a drawer since then.
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NHM-C-1-1
Excellent ..... $1495.00 SOLD!
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Curta
Type 1 Calculator This Type 1 Curta
calculator is serial number is 51545. The Curta calculator
was invented by Carl Herzstark while imprisoned in a German concentration camp during
World War II. On the bottom of the calculator is says "System Curt Herzstark, Made
in Liechtenstein, by Contina AG Mauren, Type 1 No 51545. Case dimensions
are approximately 4 5/8" tall by 2 1/4" diameter. Inside of case has both foam pads
to protect the device during transport. This interesting design calculator was the top of the line and immensely popular before the advent of the electronic handheld calculator. Their introduction and development made this technology obsolete in the early 70's. It took a few more years for them to be recognized as the collectible pieces they are today in scheme of things.
This example is in good condition and operates flawlessly. The previous owner was a surveyor and the body is marked 6 over 3-4798 with an electric pen in the side as shown in the Pics below. Otherwise the body is very nice and shows no wear or tear.
The metal case does show a lot of scuff marks with the black anodize finish rubbed off the high points. Again the operation is flawless though, and this one could be easily put back into service at rally events or in the field with a surveyor.
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NEMO-C-1
Good ..... $695.00
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Curta
Type 2 Calculator This is a Type 2 Curta calculator . The serial number 536760. It is a later model and has the
two tone color scheme on the body. The main difference between a Type 1 & 2 are the number
of places it has. They were both being offered simultaneously although the
Type 1 was introduced first a few years before the Type 2 came to market. Cosmetically this Curta is as nice as one could hope for. It functions smoothly and flawlessly. The black plastic case with its rubber bumpers is in great condition as well. The original fold out instruction sheet and manual show some use, but are nice as well.
This Curta calculator is one of the most interesting designs of manual calculators ever designed or offered. Before the advent of hand held electronic calculators they were cutting edge technology and the final word in mechanical calculators. It is pretty incredible that they were able to get all that capability to fit into the palm of a users hand. The introduction of the hand held electronic calculator
though ended it reign as the calculator of choice for use, and began it accent into
the realm of one of the most sought after of collectible calculating devices.
These vintage calculators are very collectible now, and are getting harder and harder
to find. These devices were first invented by Carl Herzstark while imprisoned in a German concentration camp during World War II. On the bottom of the calculator is the manufacturer info, and it says Made in Liechtenstein, (Customs Union with Switzerland.) by Contina LTD. Mauren System Curt Herzstark. The black plastic case dimensions are approximately 4 5/8" tall by 2 1/4" diameter. Inside of the black plastic case has both foam pads to protect the device. The type two Curta has a larger capacity than the type1 and has 11 columns that carry out to 15 places. The end of an era!!
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JC-CURTA2-1
Excellent ........$1095.00
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Comptator
Calculator / Adder These two are basically the same with different
makers names. The left one is German and has locaton info on the front.
"The Rapid Computer" Calculator
/ Adder The writing on this one says it was patented in the US
in 1892. It says it hails from Benton Harbor MI. It seems to work just
fine. Very Nice!!
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Left ...... Comptator ..... Excellent
..... $275.00
Right .... The Rapid Computer .....Excellent
..... $295.00
BS-RC-2 BS-RC-3
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The
Rapid" Calculator / Adder This is a very complicated
and precision made adder / calculator. I have only had a few over the last
20 years. I know firsthand as my last one had a small problem carrying over,
and after I got inside, and started taking it apart, I regretted it. I am
sure I voided the warranty on that one. This example is near mint and operates
just fine. Personally though, I would buy an electronic hand held for a 1.00
and leave this one for display.
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BS-Rapid
Good+ ..... $325.00
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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. The Marchant in the Click for Pic is the black one on the right.
The condition is excellent. The label on the back lists off all the different
Patents that were designed to protect it, but Marchant is but one of the names associated
with this design, so they were either selling the rights, or they were in production
for a long enough time for copies to be made. As the technology grew
they moved on to electric models. This earlier model is in very nice condition
and seems to be fully operational.
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BS-march-2
Good+ ..... $125.00
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Walther
Calculator The German Walther company
was best known for manufacturing weapons and pistols. In 1926 they branched
out to include a line of calculators. The condition of this example is very
nice looking but it is jammed up.
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BS-W-Calc
Good ..... $75.00
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Resulta
Adder / Calculator
This is not
electric. It has its original stylus / pointer in the back. You just need a roll
of paper, and you can return to yesteryear of adding up the receipts. My how
times have changed.
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BS-W-Calc
Good+ ..... $45.00
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Resulta
BS-7 Adder / Calculator
This is
not electric. It has its original stylus / pointer in the back. My how times have
changed.
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BS-RCalc
Good+ ..... $35.00
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