The Curta.org Bulletin Board

[david f]

At some point you become aware of the Curta and it sparks enough interest that eventually you seek, find and acquire one! What follows is some level of competence with its use and some level of bonding inspired by the unique and magnificent marvels of its construction.

Circumstances, finances, changing interest and eventually, some Curta owners decide to depart with their Curta (or Curtas as the case may be).

The break may be clean, or seem clean but in some cases, regret seeps into your consciousness. Perhaps it is a return of the interest that was felt back at the beginning.

In my case, it was another collecting bug that required money and the Curta I bought c2003 was sold c2018. Late in 2025 the Curta fever returned.

Considering how to proceed with my renewed quest, the idea of looking up the person I sold it to was pursued and through my eBay feedback, I actually located the guy! I wrote to him, "Stupidly I parted with my Curta and I was wondering if you would consider selling it back to me."
His reply was, "Stupidly I sold it on eBay a few years ago." Regrets squared!

Happily, there are Curtas out there currently being sold. Prices are relatively high but with careful diligence, good examples are obtainable. I have now acquired one and as a form of insurance against my flighty nature, I've ordered a 2nd one. I even got a third one but had to return it because it had an annoying problem.

"Stupidly I sold it" should be a caveat to all Curta collectors. Give due consideration to the act of selling as the time may come where it will become a regret. But in my case, a happy ending for now.
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David Friedlander

[david f]

Update;

3 Curtas in the house. Two type II and one type I.

541581
537735 (palindrome, not that it matters)
69351

Did I spend too much? Certainly! They all are in excellent condition, two had original boxes and one of those had an original copy of the computing examples and an unfilled out warranty card. I'm good with this many and will just enjoy these for a while. Curtamania!

I also found on eBay, a copy of Scientific American from 2004 that has a fine article about Curt Herzstark and his invention. That magazine is now harder to find than a Curta although the text is available if you do a moderately deep dive on the various Curta websites.
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David Friedlander