Thanks again to Shawn and Rich Leu in the thread below about slide rules for opening up the subject of Curta mechanical calculators. In the estate I am helping to liquidate, there is an almost mint condition Curta and accessories that is for sale. There was an accountant in Colorado who was "generously" offering the surveyors wife $75 for the Curta. These instruments sell anywhere from $750 to $2000 on Ebay all day. The lady is wanting $1500 for it which is not out of line. Please look this over and if anyone is interested, please let me know. I'm sure that she would consider any and all offers, but might take a while to come off the $1500.
Thanks for looking and any information, suggestions or hints for helping to sell this would be appreciated.
Is it a Type I or Type II, Jeff?
I think it is a Type II - the Type I had 8 entry sliders and the Type II has 11 entry sliders. The one in my picture has 11 sliders visible. I have a phone call into the lady now to see if she can find some documentation on it.
OMG I'm dying over here...
Just got off the phone, it is a Type II
This site seems to have everything one would want to know.
Also I remember when one was on Pawn Stars.
Could not find a link to that video.
Randy
Here is a nice little article from Scientific American, the history involved with its creation puts this item in a little different league of collectors item than purely survey stuff in my opinion.
wow, that is totally cool! I don't think I've ever really looked at what a curta really was. wish I had a spare 1500 laying around burning a hole in my pocket.
Wow, just came off ebay, had no idea they were worth that kinda money.
Got to run down to my office basement, there is one down there somewhere.
Not as nice as that one, but...
About 10 years ago I paid $800 for a type II in excellent condition with the original box and instructions. Mine was made during the last few years of maufacturing and belonged to a guy who used it for Ralley Racing comps back when you did them by hand. I didn't get the nice leather case with mine though. It was tough for me to get a winning bid in on e-bay. Old dial up days, I'd leave what I thought was a winning bid at the very last instant only to find that someone else had out bid me in the last few seconds. They are really clever and fun to play with.
T.W.
SurveyorConnect is now accepting donations of used Curtas. 😉 😛
Wish I Could
Wish I could Wendell - it's kinda tough handling all this stuff that I would like to have myself, but can't justify picking up at any price. Wait until I start putting some of the ancient compasses on, it will sure enough make you want to go into hock to have one. I have a feeling that the Curta price may lower once she sees how much they go for and how many there are on Ebay, but I try not to advise her to take less on her more valuable items that can be easily stored for many more years. There are so many things that she wants to sell, partly because they are too valuable to keep around collecting dust, but also because she knows how much these things meant to her husband. And although she doesn't completely understand why he enjoyed having these things so much, she wants other surveyors to have them that would equally enjoy them.
Thanks so much for allowing us to sell these items on Beerleg and thanks to everyone else for looking, buying and tolerating us during this time. If I am out of line on the price, please let me know. I promise this won't last forever, but I hope that everyone gets something if they want it.
Jeff
Send me an email
richleu at yahoo dot com
Wish I Could
I don't think her 1500 is out of line at all. I guarantee if it was 2007 instead of 2012, I'd be sending her a money order today!
I found an old Curta in very good condition on a shelf at my last job.
I pulled it out of the hard cylindrical case and looked at it then put it away.
That is the only time I have seen one in person.
> I found an old Curta in very good condition on a shelf at my last job.
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> I pulled it out of the hard cylindrical case and looked at it then put it away.
>
> That is the only time I have seen one in person.
I know where one is in great condition at a VDOT survey crew building... Might even be two. I had no idea what it was worth or how to work it 10 years ago, or I would have messed around with it more often. It too was the only one that I've seen in person.
Carl
They have several 30" K+E Paragon transits and several very good condition new style T-2s.
SOLD!
A buyer came forward for the Curta calculator on Friday and I appreciate all who looked and commented. I know the seller is happy with the sale and I hope that the buyer is equally happy and gets much enjoyment out of owning it.
SOLD!
:good:
I have an old curtain myself. They're remarkable machines.
Did your sale come through it being seen on beerleg?
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Where do you load the line, looks sorta like one of my fishing reels.
