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# 4012 Thatcher Calculator by
Keuffel & Esser
The Thatcher calculator is one of the best known and most sought after of
all calculating devices that was ever produced or offered. First
introduced in England in the 1880's it was developed and designed by a
fellow named Edwin Thacher, ( Keuffel & Esser did him the disservice of
misspelling his
name on subsequent calculators they offered by adding a
T making for Thatcher appearing on the calculators). First
patented in the US in 1881, production and manufacture was originally
carried out in England but was moved to the US shortly after K & E
bought out the rights to manufacture the rule. There were two
basic models available the 4012 and the 4013
which was basically the
same rule with the addition of a
magnifier which ran on a bar in front of the scales.
The condition of this early example is stunning. The paper scales which are often damaged, or yellowed and peeling or flaking from rust under them are near flawless in this example. The previous owner has circled a few numbers in ink on the internal scales to facilitate a repeated calculation he must have been making, but this is minor and insignificant to the overall importance of this rule. The instructions are complete and legible as well.
Good . . . . . $1275.00 SOLD
The New York Automatic Lightning Calculator /Automatic Arithmeticer by John
Schmidt & Co.AKA
K&E / Keuffel & Esser #1704 / Thatcher Patent Slide Rule / Calculator Serial # 704 This is a very rare calculator / slide rule and before this one turned up was an unheard of and never before seen variation of a Type 1 Keuffel & Esser Thacher Patent Slide Rule / Calculator.
Numerous Google searches turned up no reference to John Schmidt & Co or any reference to The New York Automatic Lightning Calculator this is slide rule is referred to as on the label in the top of the box. Searches for the second name "Automatic Arithmeticer" as the applied labels on the end of the drum refer to it as, produced nothing either. I found no reference to Thacher Patent calculators / slide rules ever being offered by anyone other than K & E.
This is a true oddity, and rarity in
the slide rule collecting field.
Edwin Thatcher first patented his idea for this design slide rule in England in 1881. The design and idea were an immediate success with the scientific and engineering communities there and abroad. K & E bought the rights to produce them, and initially Stanley of England produced them in England before K & E moved production to the states near the turn of the century. From research I did on the internet Thacher Calculators are "typed" into three periods. Type 1 Thacher slide rules were produced from 1881 to 1899 and had certain characteristics that differentiated them from the later to come models. This ones features match those of an early Type 1 instrument. The serial # on this instruments box is 704. Most early Type 1 Thacher calculators were marked with the serial number on a small plaque attached to the front right corner. That plaque would also give the name Keuffel & Esser, and the serial #. That plaque is missing on this instrument, but the nail holes are there.
It appears that this slide rule began life as a Thacher calculator and that it has been modified. There is a large label attached to the box lid that claims there is a patent pending. It also has a Masonic symbol, and a bunch of text attesting to what a wonderful calculating device it is. It has also been modified with the addition of paper labels attached to the ends of the inner drum. Those labels give it different name not on the label in the lid. The label also claims John Schmidt was the manufacturer and that a patent was pending.
There is little to no doubt this was / is a Keuffel & Esser Thacher before it was modified. You can see where the Thacher name was taken off of the instructions on the left side above the word Calculating Instrument. A bit unceremoniously being just scraped off.. On the right front, where the small K & E tag with serial # would be there are just 2 empty holes for the small nails. The other place that Thatcher rules were identified, was on the end of the inner drum, and they have been covered with new different paper labels with new information and names hiding the original K & E And Thatcher info typically found there.
The overall condition of the rule itself is good with no major chips or damage to the scales to speak of. There are small patches of brown spots on the outer scales as is typically found, but it is not bad.. The inner paper scales have some bubbles or minor lifting in them, but overall are nice, and stable. Most of the scales are a light mellow tan / yellow that is normal. The instructions on the base are in very nice condition. The mahogany box is OK noting the crack along the bottom, and one in the back right corner. There are no names carved into the box or base of the calculator itself..
Many questions remain. Who? When? Why? Others / More? and more. A series mysteries waiting to be solved through further research. But bottom line, a nice example of a rare and interesting calculating slide rule that no one else has. Opportunity knocks but once.
Good +. . . . . $2495.00 SOLD!!
Keuffel
& Esser Thatcher #4012 Slide Rule Calculator in
#4013 Box The king of calculators
/ slide rules. The Thatcher was first patented in England in 1881.
K & E bought the rights and at first had them produced by Stanley of England
before moving the production here to the states near the turn of the century.
The serial # on the instrument is 4250. The box which is actually marked
for the upscale model #4013, is slightly larger to accommodate the rod and magnifier
that came with that model. It is nice noting the one tight age crack across
the top The serial # on it is #2967. It seems that at some point
in its life this one was put back into the wrong box. The overall condition
of the rule itself is exceptional. The scales are a light mellow tan,
but there is virtually no rust spots or damage to the scales as is often found
on these instruments. There are a couple of minor chips near the edges, and
I see one small tear in the scale on one peak, but that is about it. The
inner scales on the drum are very nice. The instructions on the base are
very nice as well. The base is nice and unlike the last one of these I
owned the entire student body did not carve their name into the bottom of this
one. All in all one of the nicest examples of the rare and interesting
calculation device I have ever had the pleasure to see.
Good . . . . . $1495.00 SOLD
K
& E / Keuffel & Esser Thatcher #4012 Slide Rule / Calculator
This is a very nice and very early Thatcher's
calculator. Thatcher calculators / slide rules were first patented
in England in 1881 and were an immediate success with the scientific and engineering
communities. The Thacher calculator with its near unique sliding drum
design has scales totaling over 30' long. The name is really Thacher,
but it was mis-spelled Thatcher on almost all versions. Hence the use of two
different spellings. K & E bought the rights to produce them, and initially
Stanley of England produced them in England. K & E moved production to
the states near the turn of the century.
The serial # on this instrument is 1444 making it a relatively early model. The Thatcher was in production from the late 1800's up till about the mid 20th century. I believe there were less 8,000 or so made over the years.
Good . . . . . $1275.00 SOLD
K & E 4012 Thatchers The
overall condition of the rule itself is very nice with no major chips or damage
to the scales. The scales are a light mellow tan / yellow, and there is
virtually no rust spotting , browning, or damage to them. The
inner scales on the drum are very nice as well with no damage or lifting.
The instructions on the base are very nice. The mahogany box has
its original finish. There are no names carved into the box or base of the calculator
itself.
Another very nice example of this rare and interesting calculating slide rule. Highly recommended!!
Good . . . . . $1250.00 SOLD
#4061 T 5" Duplex Slide Rule w/ Trig Scales and Clamshell Cursor
This is a very rare sliderule that K & E only produced for a few short
years back near the turn of the century. It has the second model cursor
K & E produced or experimented with known as the clamshell model.
Keuffel and Esser used this design for a very short period before
offering the columned cursor and then the frameless cursor before they
settled in to the typical design framed cursor that most rules are found
with.
The condition of this example is super. There is no serial # and it has 2 patent dates from 1905 and 1908 on the bottom rail in red. The leather case is missing its flap and the previous owner did write his name on it, but this is not a detraction or problem as the overall condition and rarity of the rule itself are the important aspects here. Super!!!
Good . . . . . $995.00 SOLD
The
#4105 Webb Stadia Rule The
Webb Stadia rule is a great design, and was meant for field use this explaining
the relatively few that have survived. It is approx 1 1/2 dia. and the
inner slide rule is protected by the outer tole painted and decorated hard cover.
Keuffel & Esser's description in their catalog describes this design
as being equal to a straight slide rule that was 4 1/2' long that has
been compacted into a 1 1/2" cylinder that is only 15" long. It is interesting to note that at the time it only
cost .50 more than the hard to find, but much more common #4100 slide rule which
was also used for Stadia or survey related work. It is a wealth of information
when looking for obscure and old items that are not found in later catalogs.
The condition of this early example is stunning. The paper scales which are often damaged, or yellowed and peeling or flaking from rust under them are nice in this example, noting some rubs and wear. The instructions on the tube are complete and legible as well.. This is a rare and unusual opportunity to own one of these desirable calculators.
Good . . . . . $1495.00 SOLD
The
Sperry Patent Pocket Calculator #4017 by Keuffel & Esser
There are many different watch style calculators
available, but the Sperry which was offered by K & E is one of the hardest of
all to find. The cost in 1913 was 15.00, a considerable sum in those days,
and an amount that was sure to dissuade all but the most eager or serious.
The write up and description in the early K & E catalogs for these calculators
is great with a style and text that was sure to impress the prospective buyer
who felt it was time to trade in the old slip-stick, but that $15.00 price tag
must have been a major obstacle as few are available today.
Good . . . . . $795.00 SOLD
Keuffel &
Esser Reymond Leather
Calculator This is a rare rule.
Think about the size of the possible market. How many buyers of leather
hides for the shoe making industry were going to carry one of these around to
figure out how many pairs of shoes were going to come out of a given cowhide.
It is one of those examples of an idea taken to the extreme, but that is what
makes it a good one. They must have been going through a development phase
when this one was produced as it has some interesting features. At the
top in the middle it says it was copyrighted in 1923 and patent pending.
In the bottom right corner there is an applied small metal plaque with a patent
date from 1924. This was an idea that really needed to be protected from
the competition. Back up near the top there is another applied label,
a correction? that gives different info than was originally offered underneath,
I suppose they had something figured wrong or peoples feet were already getting
bigger and wider.
Overall the rule is very nice. The box is nice and shows good age. The felt inside was at some point being eaten by the hungry leather bugs after the factory went out of business after miscalculating the number of shoes that were actually going to be ordered that year, not how many pairs a given hide could produce. Back then they couldn't point their fingers Chinese sneaker industry for their downfall, yet! I would imagine that very few were produced, and that even fewer were saved. There are not going to be a lot of opportunities to own another one of these.
Good . . . . . $495.00 SOLD
Keuffel & Esser 4095
Merchants Slide Rule This style rule has only 4 scales for the
limited figuring required to run math calcs for a business. It is
a frameless cursor era in the case and remains of the box..Good . . . . . $75.00 SOLD
K & E 68-1749 (4096) 20" Desk Top Slide Rule w/ Hard Case
The 68-1749 desk top slide rule was offered for use in
offices or most any desktop, and was equipped with feet to hold it on an
angle in front of the user. Prior to 1962 it was numbered (4096). K &
E also offered this rule without the hard case and cast iron feet. This
variant in the hard case is found much less often than the typical model
and they were made for only a few years after the model change to
68-1749 and when K & E finally got out of the slide rule making business
after the introduction of electronic hand- held's. This particular rule is factory engraved with the name Elton W. Reither. Elton was the area manager for K & E in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean during this time period and this was a presentation slide rule given to him either upon promotion or retirement. This rule was consigned here by his family and has been with them since that time.
The condition is like new. There is no damage to the rule or box. Note the condition of the finish on the mahogany in the views from the back. The paper conversion chart there is flawless as well. The pads on the cast iron feet show no wear either. A super piece of calculation history in super condition.
Good+ . . . . . $325.00 SPECIAL SALE . . . . . . $295.00 SOLD!
K
& E 4095 Merchants Slide Rule This is a
nice looking sliderule. It was designed for use by storekeepers, and
they used the KISS theory putting just 6 scales on the rule. It is an
early model with a double sided frameless cursor that is undamaged.
That in itself is a rarity. The other interesting fact is the original
owners name was TOLL.Good + . . . . . $75.00 SOLD!
K & E Deci-Lon
Slide Rule The
rule and the exterior of the case are in super condition.
Good . . . . . $125.00 SOLD
K
& E 4070-3
Slide Rule This is
a nice looking sliderule. Good + . . . . . $25.00 SOLD!
K
& E #68 - 1210 Log Log Duplex Slide Rule This
K & E rule is from near the end of the production period for slide rules. The
world was going electronic, and K & E changing its model #'s was not going
to help.
The rule is a #1210, the box says it is for a 1220 and the manual for
another rule. I believe it is all correct and that K & E was just
moving product out. The case is fine and marked w/ the previous owners name
inside the flap. The
outer box has issues.
Good+ . . . . . $45.00 / Lot SOLD!
Keuffel & Esser #<4110> 14.5" Slide Rule The rule itself is in super condition. The serial # is 799672. The case body is OK, showing normal wear and age and the flap has been taped on with Priority tape. The framed cursor is flawless. The rule is straight, slides nicely and has no problems. There have only been a couple of these offered over the past couple of years on the internet. and it is a rare rule that was not offered in any of the catalogs that I have, and was given a 5 rating in the cheat sheet that I have. I have given you a shot of the side with the scales so that you can decide what exactly what the unusual scales are and what it was intended for. I have read that these were made for West Point, but really have no information on that.
Good . . . . . $375.00 SOLD
KK & E Deci-Lon Slide Rule 68-1100 in Original Box and Case Serial #088272 The rule and the exterior of the case are in super condition. The owner, Guy Endicott did stamp his name into the exterior of the case, and wrote it again inside the flap. Otherwise the rule and case are minty nice. The box is nice noting that the price and the fact that this was 12 of 17 was written on the lid in marker. The book appears to have never been used, and as can be seen the lifetime guarantee is includes as well. These are tough to find in this condition.
Good . . . . . $275.00 SOLD
K & E <N4088-3> 12" Slide Rule w Column Cursor The rule itself is very nice. There are 2 patent dates on the top rail from June 5th 00, and Dec. 22 08. The original owner a Mr. Robert Morrison has carefully scratched his name into the end plates holding the rule together. It has K & E's second model column cursor and there are no problems, damage or cracked glass in it. The case is in a sorry state, missing its top and being taped top and bottom, but is original, as he same owners name can be found here as well. Rare and worth the expense.
Good . . . . . $295.00 SOLD
Keuffel & Esser Peerless Reckoning or Calculating Machine Keuffel & Esser offered this type of machine from about the turn of the Century until 1922. They referred to it as "The Perfect Calculating Machine" I believe this model operates on the stepped drum mechanism. This is the earlier model, and my K & E catalog from 1913 shows the later model with metal sides and legs. This is a great looking machine and is fully operational. I believe it is the #4007 that went out to10 places and the catalog says it is capable of 20 places. They made smaller models as well, but this was the largest size produced. It is fully operational and the only detraction is the cracked slate board in the left corner for the operator to do rough preliminary calcs on. Looking at this you really can get a sense of just how far we have come in the last 100 years.
Good . . . . . $2450.00 SOLD
K & E Deci-Lon 5 Slide Rule 68-1130 in Original Box and Case Serial #010628 The rule and the exterior of the case are in very nice condition. It appears that at one point there case did get wet or dirty on one of the top flaps and is slightly discolored on the inside. It still looks OK. The box is nice, and has the outer slip cover as well. Also included is the lifetime warranty, I wonder how that works, do they give you a new hand held calculator? when this one breaks. The care and maintenance pamphlet is here also. These are tough to find in this condition, and in their boxes.
Good . . . . . $245.00 SOLD
Keuffel & Esser <4031> 5" Slide Rule w/ Frameless Cursor This 5" K & E rule is in excellent condition, and so is the case. The serial # is 97938. The hard to find frameless cursor is damage free and rarity in itself. A hard to find rule that was not produced for long with this style cursor. You will not find a nicer one!
Good . . . . . $125.00 SOLD
K & E #4160 Chemists Slide Rule The rule and leather case are near flawless and the Keuffel & Esser #4160 Chemists rule is one of the most desirable and sought after of all specialty rules that Keuffel & Esser ever produced. As an added bonuses this rule is coming with the hard to find magnifier that K & E sold as an accessory and the special case with the provision for the magnifier built in that the proud owner also bought to protect his new investment. He even kept the cardboard box, as can be seen, which is a Generic for the humped case to fit the 4160 and a few other rules. The end label on this box gives the other model slide rules that this case could also be used with. All in all a special rule in exceptional condition and ready in all respects to take its place high up on the shelf in the collection.
Good . . . . . $495.00 SOLD
Keuffel & Esser <4081-3> 12" Slide Rule in case w/ Original Box and Manual The outside of the push or slide box shows some wear, but otherwise this is mint. The box says it is a 68-1220 or old 4081-3, and that is what the rule itself says. The instructions on the cover say they are for a 68-2047 while on the inside cover it says it is for the 4081. Guess you had to be a math and logic whiz to get through all of that.
Good . . . . . $85.00 SOLD
Keuffel & Esser #4133 Roylance Electrical Slide Rule This is the sort of rule that is getting to be harder and harder to find, especially in this kind of condition. It is all nice, and the first one I have come across in several years.
Good . . . . . $175.00 SOLD
Keuffel & Esser <N 4096> This unusual 22" desktop slide rule is in super condition. The serial # is 509117 There are no problems other than one small flake from the laminate on the bottom rail. This is a rare and unusual example of the top of the line desktop model rule that came equipped with cast iron feet to hold it at the proper angle. There is also a knob to slide the middle leg along. I do not know where the box went, but it is obvious that this super rule saw little if any use over the years.
Good . . . . . $275.00 SOLD
2 Keuffel & Esser <4081-3> 12" Slide Rules in cases The top one is in a soft leather case and is in nice overall condition. The serial # is 504215. The bottom one is in a hard case and looks OK but has a cursor problem with a portion of 1 rail missing. Its serial # is 231539outside o the push or slide box shows some wear, but otherwise this is mint. The box says it is a 68-1220 or old 4081-3, and that is what the rule itself says. The instructions on the cover say they are for a 68-2047 while on the inside cover it says it is for the 4081. Guess you had to be a math and logic whiz to get through all of that.
Good . . . . . $28.00 SOLD
Keuffel & Esser #4031 5" Slide Rule Even though Wayne Feeley only gave this rule a 3 out of 5 in difficulty to find in his interesting and informative rarity chart for this famous maker of slide rules, it is nonetheless a very interesting and desirable slide rule, not only because of it general scarcity and wonderful condition, but also due to its unusual advertising for the Terry Steam Turbine Co. which is stamped into its face. This rule has a frameless cursor, and the last patent date is from June of 1900, and so dates from pretty close to this date. These early and small rules have all but disappeared from the marketplace are are getting to be near impossible to find today. Go to ebay or to any other site and see how many Deci-Lon's or its equivalent are offered, and then try to find another of this model.
Good . . . . . $115.00 SOLD
K & E <N4088-3> 12" Slide Rule w Column Cursor The rule itself is very nice. There are 2 patent dates on the top rail from June 5th 00, and Dec. 22 08. The original owner a Mr. Robert Morrison has carefully scratched his name into the end plates holding the rule together. It has K & E's second model column cursor and there are no problems, damage or cracked glass in it. The case is in a sorry state, missing its top and being taped top and bottom, but is original, as he same owners name can be found here as well. Rare and worth the expense.
Good . . . . . $125.00 SOLD
K & E <4088-5> 20" Slide Rule This rule itself is very nice. The one apology is that one pane of the frameless cursor on one side has a crack in it. The rule is nice, and with a light cleaning will look even better. There is no missing laminate, and the previous owner did not put his initials or other marks anywhere on it. There is no case.
Good . . . . . $98.00 SOLD
Keuffel & Esser #4053-2 8" Frameless Cursor Slide Rule The rule and cursor and its case are in nice, but used condition and should not disappoint you in any way. It has a frameless cursor which has the Patent info in the end of 8-17-15. The case body is OK, but the flap has been resewn sometime in the past. These 8" rules are much rarer than the sales results from Ebay would indicate, where much newer and many times more common rules bring more than these or some other truly scarce rules that K & E produced. This is an emerging collector category, and when the dust settles, I think I would rather have a box full of these than Deci-Lons. You choose!
Good . . . . . $75.00 SOLD
This is just a sample of the many antiques we have sold. Click link to see other Sales Archive Pages on this Site.
We can help you sell quality Office & Scientific Related Antiques Contact Us.
For further info on consigning / selling your antiques
with us please see our FAQ page,
the
Appraisal / Selling Page and the
Selling
Your Collection Pages.
Our current offering of Antiques for sale are at our sister Website Patented-Antiques.com.
This website is Copyrighted
(1998 -
2009)
Larry & Carole Meeker