We've all see the cutaway Curtas sold on eBay for inflated prices, and most of them are regular Curta calculators that someone has taken a hacksaw to. But when we received this note from Guy Howard, we realized immediately something was different. Well, as soon as we saw the pictures!
Read Guy's amazing story below.-- Ed.
I am an old Typewriter repairman. I worked for a time in a Typewriter shop in Kansas City that had at some time sold (or attempted) Curta's. The Demo was in a Junk Parts area or the shop & I found it. The owner said we (the repair men) could have it. We fought over it but the supervisor wound up with it. A year later (after the bankruptcy of the store) I called the guy that had the Curta and traded him a Victor 10 key adding machine for it.
I thought the Curta was really cool. Obviously well made and for all I
knew I had the only one on the planet. I liked it. It sat on the
closet shelf in my house for a little over 30 years. I took it down
once in awhile and showed it to a visiting friend. I always intended to
get it to a museum some day but never got around to it. I always
thought that it was something that all people should have an opportunity
to appreciate. (I am not noble but that is what I wanted)
Recently while looking for an antique typewriter on the net I ran across
a Curta and for the first time learned the story. I was impressed and
also satisfied that all the information was for all time available to
the public.
Now it is time for my machine to move from my closet shelf to someplace where it will be loved and appreciated. I don't want to give it away and I don't want to rob anyone. This Curta Demo is in excellent condition, very rare and very collectible.
Guy still has this set in his collection, but is interested in hearing from collectors. Please contact Guy at guy
burdfletcher.com.