COMRIE. CALCULATING MACHINES, 4 ITEMS

i. Calculating machines... Being appendix III to L. R. Connor's Statistics in Theory and Practice. London: Pitman, 1938, offprint, original pale blue wrappers, (bought from Graham Weiner, London, 1984), [T&W C139; Randell 1979 p.120]ii. Computing by calculating machines. London: Gee & Co. 1927, offprint from The Accountant's Journal, vol. 45, p.42 (May 1927), slip of H.M. Nautical Almanac Office letterpaper signed by Comrie loosely inserted (consigning the pamphlet to an unknown recipient, dated August 28, 1928), original wrappers, (bought from Weiner, 1984), [T&W C143; Origins of Cyberspace 256; Randell 1979 p.119], slight tear on upper wrapper with loss, wrappers slightly soilediii. Inverse interpolation and scientific applications of the National Accounting Machine. London: Royal Statistical Society, printed for private circulation, 1936, offprint, reprinted from the Supplement to the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, vol. 3, no. 2, May 1936, pp.87-114, original pale blue printed wrappers, (bought from Interlibrum, Vaduz, 1993), [T&W C149; Origins of Cyberspace 270; Randell 1979 p.120]iv. Scientific computing service. London: 1937, printed by the author, original wrappers, [T&W C157; Origins of Cyberspace 273]8vo

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."

Important offprints by the foremost computer and table maker between the two world wars. The third paper describes the National Computing Machine, a machine with several internal registers which Comrie used in computing tables. "...The machine to be described may be called a modern Babbage machine: it does all that Babbage intended his difference to do and more. At a cost of £500-600, it is not beyond the means of institutions where extensive computing is undertaken..."