The Curta.org Bulletin Board

[david f]

I've been actively engaging with eBay sellers recently going through the paces and asking questions. I even found some that needed elimination because of problems that were discovered during communication with prospective sellers. I just had narrowed down to two different examples and bought one. The other one was properly tested and functional and I just wanted to pass it along to anyone who is looking for a Curta or specifically a Type I.

Here is the eBay link to the sale page
https://www.ebay.com/itm/326953041790
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David Friedlander

[murff]

Thanks for the tip - I took the liberty of examining the offer more closely:

- It is a very late version of the Curta Type 1 (November 1969)
- The visual condition is "used"
- It has an ugly stain (without knowing if it can be removed)
- It is very likely to be in working order mechanically (there is still uncertainty if you are not on site)

The price range for this offer is US$ 800.00 to US$ 900.00 - so it is an inflated offer.

My recommendation: don't buy it!



And the other seller (https://www.ebay.com/itm/317507143806) has not updated the description, even though the Curta is demonstrably defective... When I asked, he didn't know what I was talking about...
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:: m u r f f
:: curta.li

[david f]

The "stain" you refer to appears to be an improperly (incompletely) removed older label. I think that could be addressed and removed with a little care. I actually decided not to purchase that one because the numbers in the results register did show a little dirt on them. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't as nice as the one I did buy.

That other one you helpfully informed me that was ruined by the counterclockwise turns and broken, had another little turn to the story. Before I asked the Bulletin Board about what I'd seen with his video, I mentioned to him that he should absolutely NOT turn the handle in that direction. Not knowing yet if that ruined it, I asked him to test the computations in the manuals he owns(!) and get back to me if it still computed correctly. He never did write back.

I have to say that I was actually distressed that he'd ruined a Curta that appeared to be nearly pristine and that he appeared to be generally clueless.

There was another story in my searching just for the record. I actually bought a type I a few weeks back and one of the sliders wasn't consistently registering properly. It would give other values in the R.R. at times which I didn't want to deal with. It was a "no return" eBay item, but I convinced the seller to take it back. I had stipulated before buying that repairs were something I wanted to avoid. Since it "wasn't as described" he finally agreed to take it back for a full refund. I got lucky there, but it was a small education nevertheless.

As before, thank you for being so engaged and helpful! I appreciate and enjoy it.
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David Friedlander

[Pete42]

Even if the "stain" can be removed, the machine is a very late Type 1 of which there are comparatively many in very good condition (the machines produced in the late 60's and the early 70's were often used for a very short time, if at all) - better than the one in the auction anyway.

Given the fact that these machines usually sell around 800 EUR in Europe, the price of 1800 $ seems absurd. Last year I bought #7091 for less than that, in nearly mint condition.

[david f]

One caveat perhaps worth mentioning regarding eBay sales involves the position of the handle. I've seen a measurable percentage of the Curtas pictured that show the handle clearly not in the zero stop position.

By itself this isn't conclusive but it is a warning sign that the seller might not understand the proper use and could have jammed the machine. It is an established fact that you don't move anything unless the handle is in the safe zero stop position.

If you're looking, check the images carefully for hints that could reveal improper use or ignorance of safe Curta operation.
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David Friedlander