Antique & Vintage
Scientific / Calculation / Office / Technology

K & E / Keuffel & Esser Thacher's / Thatcher Calculating Instrument Calculator / Slide Rule 15 Page Instruction Pamphlet All original, not a reprint. I am not sure if this ever had a cover or not. It is instructions and testimonials, 15 pages all told for an early Thacher / Thatcher calculator. I see no date, nor do I see a model number to indicate if this predates K & E numbering their Thacher the 4100. I think it is correct with 15 pages and was a supplemental, or quick guide, as opposed to a full set of instructions. The condition is as seen. Frayed w/ loose pages.

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THACH-CAL-15

Fair . . . . . . $20.00

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com

c. 1700 Pierre Fardoil Adding Machine & Watch / Time Piece I am half owner of this rare and early Pierre Fardoil Adder / Adding Machine and Fardoil Watch / Time piece, and in an attempt to finalize the sale of this Fardoil adder with my partner I am going to offer a full or partial interest in my 1/2 ownership in this rare 18th c. Fardoil adder for a nominal sum to the right person or entity who can facilitate a sale with my partner.

Here is the history of this piece---please read on.

The Fardoil adder is one of the earliest and rarest 18th century calculation devices known. The 2 pieces pictured are the very same Fardoil Adder / Adding Machine and Fardoil Pocket Watch that reached a sale price of approx. $70,000 at the Auction-Team Breker sale about 10 years ago. Here is a web address to that auction result and the original write-up that can be found online: www.liveauctioneers.com/item/36708195_the-adding-machine-of-pierre-fardoil-c-1700.  The same two pieces are currently listed for sale on my partner's website for $70,000 or so.

This Fardoil adder is one of only two known, and this could be the only known example if it is the very same Fardoil adder that the French Musee des Arts et Metiers (CNAM), the French State Museum, and their representatives claimed was "lost", stolen, or otherwise disappeared from their collection when it was on display in the US during 1939 New York World's Fair.

At the Breker auction some 10 years ago the high bidder for this Fardoil Adder was Professor Korte from the University of Bonn, who was bidding to acquire it for the Arithmeum museum in Bonn, Germany. The high bidder backed out from finalizing the Breker auction sale due in part to the CNAM claim. The underbidder also backed away when it was subsequently offered to him.

The two Fardoil pieces were then returned to the consignors---myself and the other 1/2 owner, who is Peter Frei, an antique dealer based in Massachusetts. He is my ex-friend and current partner in the two pieces. He is currently in possession of both pieces.

Peter Frei and I had been partners in numerous endeavors involving technology-related antiques prior to having a falling out. Our friendship ended one day when Peter, in a fit of rage, over a situation concerning an antique sewing machine which I had paid for that we were 50 / 50 partners on, entered into an agreement with a 3rd party, offering him 50% to sell it---thus making me a 25% junior partner. Peter did that without consulting or discussing that decision with me. When I questioned his decision he got insulted and declared we were no longer friends and said our partnership was over. This was after we had already purchased the Fardoil Adder. There is more to this story that is irrelevant to this sale that does not need to be retold here.

But what should be told is the story of who first found the Fardoil adder---that would be me---and details surrounding that event, and the Breker auction. The Fardoil sellers, who lived in NY, contacted me and I made an appointment to go see it. They told me that the adder had been "found" in New York, and their now deceased family member had been a caretaker / custodian / groundskeeper / employee and "found" it where he worked. The family told me they had had it appraised at Sotheby's or Christies auction house for 5K, and I offered to purchase it from them the same amount in cash.

The family initially said no, but months later called me and said they were ready to sell the Fardoil. As I was back in CA by that time I called and enlisted Peter to go and get it. I offered him to be 50/50 partners on the Fardoil. He agreed and went and got it. We split the cost 50/50. He later bought the Fardoil watch and we split the cost of that as well.

For various reasons Peter handled consigning the Fardoil to Breker's Auction. The Breker auction failed after the French Musee des Arts et Metiers / CNAM cast doubt on the rightful ownership of the Fardoil and the Arithmeum backed out of the sale. After the auction failed to produce a sale we agreed to let Peter market the Fardoil to the under bidder or other parties. It was offered to the under bidder, but that too failed to produce a sale over the price. Later the CNAM made a relatively low offer, not to purchase it, but rather as compensation for us having found it and returning it. That offer was rejected. Peter made several other attempts to sell it but failed to find a buyer.

Then something akin to the storyline in Lord of the Rings began to unfold, and the "my precious" concept began to take hold, much like with Gollum and his precious ring in the Lord of the Rings story. Peter, despite saying he was ready to sell, and that he wanted to sell it, and acknowledging that I am his 50 /50 partner on it, could not bear to let the Fardoil go, and has refused to let it leave his hands.

The disclosure of these details is necessary because provenance / history of ownership of important historical pieces is vital to establishing and enhancing an objects value. In addition I want to insure there are no claims of non-disclosure or other problems down the road from the buyer of my 1/2 or partial interest.

The attempts for Peter and I to settle up on the Fardoil after the failed auction should also be told, again so that potential parties interested in buying into my 1/2 share are fully informed and can better formulate a plan to finalize the sale.

Over the next 10 years Peter offered several proposals to resolve the Fardoil situation between us---all in writing and documented---but then reneged on following through on every single one of them. For the record, let's review some of those past proposals:

Immediately after the auction Peter wrote that if the high bidder or under bidder would not pay the original sale price it had brought at auction he would simply buy us out for 1/2 of the high bid, as we both felt it had not reached its full potential because of the French interference. He never followed through on that proposal, later claiming it was just a negotiation tactic. Problem is he was not negotiating with anyone at the time.

Shortly after Peter ended our relationship he announced we would settle up over the Fardoil by having a private auction between us, with a third party holding the Fardoil until that process was complete. He reneged on that proposal soon after, claiming he did not have enough money.

Peter next demanded we wait and be patient, as the Fardoil was, in his words, "burned" by the French claims, and the failed auction.

In 2019, 5 years after the auction and after numerous requests, by us, to resolve the situation, Peter said to wait one more year to see if he could sell it from his new website. In writing he said that if it did not sell from his website at the end of the 1 year period we would send it to auction again. He proposed that, in writing, and then reneged on that solution with no explanation or excuse.

Peter next suggested we should name a price he could buy us out at, with the stipulation that he would need 6 months to gather the money. A proposal that was neither fair nor equitable, but in the interest of ending this ordeal we proposed selling our half interest to him for $18K---approx. 25% of the original sale price of $70K it had reached at the Breker auction, approx. half of what we would have been due had the auction succeeded---a reasonable offer by us to resolve this.

Peter rejected that offer outright saying he would never pay that amount, with no meaningful counter or discussion. That was over 2 years ago, much longer than the 6 months he said would be needed to raise funds to buy us out, once again reneging on a proposal he himself put forward.

Most recently in Dec of 2024 we suggested listing it for sale on our two websites, at a lower price, to give it more exposure and to further enhance its desirability and value. To do that we needed to discuss a price beforehand that we could both agree to. Peter declined, and instead wrote he alone would decide if he would agree to a lower price AFTER I found a buyer---a stupid and unworkable proposal not worth discussing further, and mentioned here only to illustrate the absurdity.

After all of that we have decided to take on a partner or sell our 1/2 interest in the Fardoil. Our hope is that a qualified and interested 3rd party with a new or different approach might be better able to deal with, or negotiate with, Peter better than I.

I am going to try to make this simple, reasonable, and enticing with a lot of potential upside for the right interested party. Here is my proposal. One option would be to purchase my 1/2 share ownership in it's entirety for some agreed to amount. That can be outright, or over time with the details to be worked out. Since that is probably over-optimistic given the situation, I do have a alternative idea to present.

The second option would be to purchase a portion of my 1/2 share for a small upfront investment. In other words with a reasonable buy-in I will agree to split the proceeds of the final sale of the Fardiol with my new partner for a very small initial investment. This would require a qualified and acceptable individual, or entity, with a plan or concept of a plan, and the ability, to force a sale of the Fardoil.

I am thinking the initial investment would be something on the order of $100 in return for the right to a minimum of 25% of the total sale price---50% of my share of any final sale. The potential return could be enormous. A reasonable expectation could be, using the Breker auction result of 70K, a payout amount somewhere in the $18K range for each of us.

If the Breker sale price had in fact been held down because of the French interference, the payout could be far more if the Fardoil was again sent to auction and brings more than the $70K it brought the first time it sold. Or some uber-wealthy party might pay even more in a private sale.

Or you may be able to get Peter to agree to sell his half-interest to you and gain full ownership.

Another possibility is the French may step up with a larger offer than they first offered. Or the French could enter into this partnership and make a claim of complete ownership in court. The French could end up being declared the sole owner at little further cost.

The possibilities are many, but in any event you are going to have to have the ability to make it happen in order to pry it out of Peter's hands. We can make a gentleman's agreement to reflect this, or I will sign an acceptable agreement drawn up by the new partner or their representative. I am very flexible and very willing to work with the right person or entity to resolve this and to get the Fardoil into more appropriate hands.

This proposal to form a partnership for an interest in our half interest of the Fardoil would be a great deal for the right person or entity who thinks they can negotiate with Peter Frei, or otherwise close the deal, or force a sale. Just think, a documented ownership in a rare, probably one-of-a-kind and unique piece of calculation history for a fraction of its potential value!

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FARDOIL

Price . . . . . . $ TBD

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com

Type I Curta Calculator Serial No. 45462  This Type I Curta serial # is 45462. This Curta Calculator is in excellent condition and operates smoothly and flawlessly. The body is very nice and shows little if any wear or tear. The metal case has a two tone surface as if the top was stripped of its black finish. Not sure why that is.

The Curta calculator was invented by Curt Herzstark while imprisoned in a German concentration camp during World War II. This interesting design calculator was the top of the line hand held manual calculator in its day and was immensely popular before the advent of the handheld electronic calculator which essentially made them obsolete in the 70's.

They were made up until about 1970 and all told about 150,00 both Type 1 & Type 2 models were made. They are highly collectible pieces of calculation history, and an important example of calculation technology in the scheme of things.

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LCM-CURT-45462

Good . . . . . $1000.00

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com

Type II Curta Calculator 549950 This ad is for the Curta with its original shipping box and paperwork in a plastic case. The serial # on this Type II Curta is 549950. This Type II Curta Calculator is in excellent condition and operates smoothly and flawlessly. The body shows little if any wear or tear. The plastic case is very nice with little to no scuffs either. The outer cardboard shipping box has some bug damage where the insects found the white lettering something to go after. They did not make it inside, or get to the included paperwork.

The Curta calculator was invented by Curt Herzstark while imprisoned in a German concentration camp during World War II. This interesting design calculator was the top of the line hand held manual calculator in its day and was immensely popular before the advent of the handheld electronic calculator which essentially made them obsolete in the 70's.

They were made up until about 1970 and all told about 150,00 both Type 1 & Type 2 models were made. They are highly collectible pieces of calculation history, and an important example of calculation technology in the scheme of things.

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LCM-SCURT-549950

Fine. . . . . $2450.00

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com

Electrical

Thomas Edison's Edison System Ampere Meter  This Edison System ampere meter is a rare and important piece of Electrical history. The condition of this large and unusual Edison amp meter is exceptional. The scale reads up to 264 amps, off the scale, indicating this meter must have been used with a huge dynamo or motor.

This Edison meter measures approx. 10" across and 16" tall. The back of the case is cast iron. The etched glass face is flawless. The previous owner made a copy of the paper scale to cover the original scale to help preserve it. The original paper scale is behind the copy on the face in the pics. It is in nice condition.

The wooden case is original finish and in fine condition. The interior workings look like new. The wooden case is stamped in two places with Elec. Eng. Dept. L.S.J.U. which is Stanford University in Palo Alto CA.

A super nice and rare piece of American Electrical History that will display well and be a great addition to the old office, electrical, scientific or related collection! Nice!!

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AMN-ED-METER

Fine . . . . . $3750.00

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com

"Edison Machine Works Builders" 110 Volt 2.3 Amp Electric Dynamo / Generator This c. 1880s Thomas Edison's Dynamo is probably one of the finest original condition examples of this RARE and desirable Edison Dynamo known. There are just minor losses to it's original paint and it is in fine overall condition! All other aspects are in fine original condition including the windings, controls, and switch. There are no casting problems or cracks. A truly superb example!!

Picture this rare piece of electrical history in the lobby of your corporate headquarters, or just inside the doors of the museum devoted to antique electrical devices you are creating. This rare and desirable piece deserves a special place to be admired and cherished for the importance it has in relation to the development and history of electrical power in America. To just call this early and rare Antique Edison Dynamo rare would be an understatement. Opportunity!!

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AMN-ED-DYNO

Fine . . . . . $

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com

Gauging / Measurement
Specific Gravity / Alcohol % / Humidity

6 Books Concerned w/ Sykes Hydrometers - Specific Gravity -Testing / Gauging Alcohol Content  From the collection. As a lot. The collector paid about as much for one of them, you get the other 5 for free.

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HG-SYKES-BKS

Fine . . . . . $275.00 / Lot

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com

R.Fuess Berlin-Steglitz Stech - Hygrometer / Long Barometer Moisture Tester This Long Barometer Moisture Tester is an interesting scientific device by the well known and respected German maker R. Feuss. It is in near mint condition and includes the original instructions - in German. It is housed in a fitted wooden box.

The collector had the instructions translated and written out in long hand. It seems from a light reading that this device / instrument was intended to determine the moisture content or humidity inside things like bales of tobacco. Tobacco is the material mentioned in the instructions, but I assume other materials or crops that were aged and or allowed to dry out before use or processing would be suitable candidates as well.

The long tube has a series of holes in it at the bottom that open and close during the test. I remember buying a lb. of something one time that seemed a bit wet. So much so that it was about un-smokeable as it was. After two nights in a heated dry environment it lost half its weight as it dried out more. Half its weight = half its value. I imagine buying tobacco or other similar commodities by weight was much the same and this device was a way to keep one from over paying for an overly wet and heavy product.

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HG-FEUSS-LBAROM

Fine . . . . . 75.00

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com

D. Balerna Banjo Style Antique Barometer  Very nice condition. Still has mercury in the barometer tubes behind the door in the back but he strings are not hanging correctly. It stands a bit over 3' tall and is approx. 10" wide. The thermometer and humidity gauges seem to work.

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JF-BAROM-BAL

Good + . . . . . $200.00

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com

19th Century Banjo Style Antique Barometer / Thermometer / Humidity Very nice condition. Still has mercury in the barometer tubes behind the door in the back. I see no maker name or marks. Most likely English or Scottish.

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JF-BAROM-NN

Good + . . . . . $150.00

To Order Email: patentedantiques@gmail.com