The Curta.org Bulletin Board

[murff]

This Curta was sold recently on eBay... for 1860.00 US$

It's kind of a faked Curta - it's an early Curta Type I - but it's not serial number 1214.


1) this baseplate is a later one (> serial number 7500) - the fitting plate should have round lettering (in a circle)
2) the engravement is not original - the numbers are way to big



3) this kind of lower main casting was used in later Type I Curtas - it contains the holder for the small serial number plate (which is removed here - why do you think?) - the first Curta Type I comes with engraved serial number in the lower main casting


4) finally the canister is not fitting this "rare early Curta Type I"


I informed the seller about these points and asked for an corrected true item description - but he didn't...
_________________
:: m u r f f
:: curta.li

[davhamm]

Never mind, I think what your saying is this can with sticker is a later Model 1 not that early a serial number, looked for the ebay listing even in completed and could not find it.

[murff]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/322253641396?


The main point is the fake serial number... which results in a high price!
_________________
:: m u r f f
:: curta.li

[davhamm]

In the description the seller note's that the serial number is removed from the underside.

So not sure it was a scam. Seems he is not hiding the fact it may not be that early

[murff]

I didn't say that the seller was manipulating this Curta... But the buyer was not informed about the facts because the seller didn't update the information about the (already) made scam...

It is a conscious step to engrave a fake serial number on a new base plate and to remove the inner number plate (It's not a usual mix with newer spare parts)

This Curta is no more than US$ 800.00 in value - in my oppinion
_________________
:: m u r f f
:: curta.li

[Pete]

"All Original" - the fake S/N stamping sure wasn't original. Unless that eBay seller can show he bought it that way - altered, with no other plausible intent than to deceive - from another seller, he faked it himself and that makes him a liar and a cheat IMO.

I concur fully with Murff's assessment. eBay won't give a hoot but we should flag that sale, I'm going to report it myself.

EDIT: Reported, under "trademark" - dishonest misrepresentation.
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Cheers, Pete

[murff]

thanks... would be interesting to hear any reaction
_________________
:: m u r f f
:: curta.li

[murff]

update:

... it seems that this Curta was not sold...
(This listing was ended by the seller because there was an error in the listing)
_________________
:: m u r f f
:: curta.li

[Pete]

Interesting! Now that it's withdrawn I wonder what he'll do with it, it's obviously altered and the real SN abraded...I myself wouldn't buy it except as a "desk" machine, one to use rather than sit in the collection, because you'd never be able to resell it. Value would be in the low hundreds USD in that case.

Tough lesson if he bought it that way, with the person who sold it to him representing it as far more valuable than it was. If so we might see others popping up for sale going forward.
_________________
Cheers, Pete

[davhamm]

Well, I contacted him, maybe we can work a deal.

[davhamm]

Seller got back to me the Curta is Sold