INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION (IBM). 7 ITEMS

i. Grosch, Herbert Reuben John (b.1918), editor. Proceedings. Scientific computation forum. 1948. New York: IBM, 1950, [T&W I5; Origins of Cyberspace 683]ii. Hurd, Cuthbert C. (1911-1996), editor. Proceedings. Seminar on scientific computation. November, 1949. New York: IBM, 1950, [T&W I7; Origins of Cyberspace 684]iii. Hurd, Cuthbert C. (1911-1996), editor. Proceedings. Seminar on scientific computation. December 1949. New York: IBM, 1950, [T&W I8; Origins of Cyberspace 685]iv. Hurd, Cuthbert C. (1911-1996), editor. Proceedings. Industrial Computation Seminar. September 1950. New York: IBM, 1951, [T&W I9; Origins of Cyberspace 689]v. Hurd, Cuthbert C. (1911-1996), editor. Proceedings. Computation Seminar. August 1951. New York: IBM, 1951, [T&W I10; Origins of Cyberspace 690]; these all in original cloth bindings, all but the first in dust-jackets, 4tovi. Watson, Thomas John, Sr. (1874-956). Men-Minutes-Money. New York: International Business Machines Corporation, 1934, 8vo, original cloth, [T&W W17]vii. Collection of four bromide prints (of IBM Type Electric Accounting Machine, and other machines, diodes etc), each c. 200 x 255mm., [not in T&W; cf. Origins of Cyberspace 422]

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

From 1940 IBM held annual seminars for its customers using its punched card accounting equipment. The 1948 meeting was the first to concentrate on large scale scientific applications. Herb Grosch, who was trained as an astronomer, was a major figure in the early days of the electronic computer, and is now best remembered for Grosch's law, which states that any computer twice as powerful as the one you currently use will cost four times as much. Cuthbert Hurd was a mathematician who joined IBM in 1949, later becoming chief scientific officer and eventually a vice-president. He was closely involved with IBM's early computer developments, from the IBM 701 onward. Thomas J. Watson was the early well-known head of IBM. The work here is a collection of speeches which were intended to inspire the sales force.