Comptometer Model J Totalizer
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:24038 | Maker: Felt & Tarrant |
The Super Totalizer was a special version of the Comptometer Model J. An extra adding mechanism was added at the front (making it 3” longer) that could take the result from the normal register and add it to the new register, simultaneously clearing the normal register and readying it for another calculation. The totalizer register could be cleared independently of the normal register. Super Totalizers were not made in large numbers; serial numbers seem to indicate t...hat approximately 3000 were made. Interestingly, the totalizer was given its own serial number, separate from the Model J itself. This Model J is serial number J316833, and the totalizer is serial number S1151.
This Model J Super Totalizer has a few relatively minor but annoying faults. First, the black pigment used for the numbers on the white keys seems to have softened and smeared over the faces of the keys. I did not try to clean this off as I have no idea which cleaning solvents are safe to use on the plastic keycaps. Second, the “5” key in the 8th column (the one on the left) is bent, and when you push it down it stays down. Repeatedly pressing the 9 key in that column will jiggle the 5 key enough that it eventually pops back up. There is a close-up side view in the pictures that shows how the stalk for this key is bent. Otherwise, all the keys work fine. Finally, there are several cracked keycaps; some are visible in the picture of the 5 key’s bent stalk. None of the keycaps have completely broken and come off yet. Overall the mechanism feels sluggish, like it needs a cleaning and lube job. I think it would be worth doing that for a Super Totalizer that is this nice cosmetically.
This calculator is from the collection of Robert K. (“Bob”) Otnes, PhD, one of the founding members of the Oughtred Society and the original editor of the Journal of the Oughtred Society. It is being sold by the Oughtred Society on his behalf.
The Oughtred Society was founded in 1991 by a group of slide rule collectors and is dedicated to the preservation and history of slide rules and other calculating instruments. Membership is open to anyone. Further information about the Oughtred Society can be found at: http://www.oughtred.org/.
PayPal is the only accepted form of payment. Buyers within California will be charged 7.25% sales tax.
Shipping will be by USPS Priority Mail. Shipping charges will be somewhat higher for destinations outside the USA.
This Model J Super Totalizer has a few relatively minor but annoying faults. First, the black pigment used for the numbers on the white keys seems to have softened and smeared over the faces of the keys. I did not try to clean this off as I have no idea which cleaning solvents are safe to use on the plastic keycaps. Second, the “5” key in the 8th column (the one on the left) is bent, and when you push it down it stays down. Repeatedly pressing the 9 key in that column will jiggle the 5 key enough that it eventually pops back up. There is a close-up side view in the pictures that shows how the stalk for this key is bent. Otherwise, all the keys work fine. Finally, there are several cracked keycaps; some are visible in the picture of the 5 key’s bent stalk. None of the keycaps have completely broken and come off yet. Overall the mechanism feels sluggish, like it needs a cleaning and lube job. I think it would be worth doing that for a Super Totalizer that is this nice cosmetically.
This calculator is from the collection of Robert K. (“Bob”) Otnes, PhD, one of the founding members of the Oughtred Society and the original editor of the Journal of the Oughtred Society. It is being sold by the Oughtred Society on his behalf.
The Oughtred Society was founded in 1991 by a group of slide rule collectors and is dedicated to the preservation and history of slide rules and other calculating instruments. Membership is open to anyone. Further information about the Oughtred Society can be found at: http://www.oughtred.org/.
PayPal is the only accepted form of payment. Buyers within California will be charged 7.25% sales tax.
Shipping will be by USPS Priority Mail. Shipping charges will be somewhat higher for destinations outside the USA.
