I just made it back into the office, and have the History Channel on in the background. They are going to have a Curta on there in a few minutes. I have head you guys talk about them, but have never seen one in person, or know much about them.
I thought you guys might be interested.
I'd be curious what they'd give for it. Rick is pretty dam sharp [about everything]. "Pop" probably knows what it is if Rick doesn't (not likely). Those things are still out there.
Big Hoss and Chumbley likely wouldn't have a clue. I'd put some money on that.
If the thing is in good/decent shape with the case I would expect $1000. But knowing Rick he'll go $200 followed up with his "a gotta make a profit" speech. If the seller knows what they have they would be best to stand firm at $850 - no less.
Of course it all depends on the condition, do they have the case and/or the manual.
For those of you that haven't seen one try the "Curta Calculator Page" for an education.
Have a "Type I" with plastic case inside a leather field case that fit on my belt. It is on the hutch above my desk all the time. Frequently took it into the basic surveying class when students were complaining about solving triangles and calculating traverse closure/coordinates. Always took a four inch thick "Peters" trig functions book in at the same time. Looked up the sign of one azimuth given by the students and verified that with their calculator.
Then pulled up the Curta Simulator I on the lecture screen and did one multiplication for the class.
Then asked "Which way do you want to complete the lesson? I keep this on my desk to remind me when I get mad at my calculator or computer." Usually resulted in a few laughs and getting back to the lesson with their calculators.
They look like this:
kinda like a Russian nesting doll set-up
and they do work
You sure dat ain't no fishin' reel?
That is similar to mine. Yours appears a bit older (style of black case) and has seen more use. Shortly after I started doing field calculations the first Radio Shack scientific calculators arrived.
I used to deal in military collectibles. When selling to a shop you can expect an offer of 10 to 30 percent of retail. The shops that tried to be 'fair' and offer more didn't last long...
I was pretty familiar with a music store that also traded in used equipment, until a big chain came to town and wiped them out. Their standard rates were to offer 1/4 of the lowest new price and sell for 1/2 of new, minus any allowance for wear.