MECHANICAL CALCULATORS – ACCOUNTANCY, SEVEN VOLUMES

i. Goldman, Henry (1859-1912). The arithmachinist. A practical self-instructor in mechanical arithmetic. Chicago: Office Men’s Record Co., 1898, small 8vo, portrait frontispiece, cloth-backed boards, modern folding cloth box, (bought from The Antiquarian Scientist, Acton, MA, 1987), [T&W G51], bumped ii. Arnold, Horace Lucian (1837-1915). The complete cost-keeper. New York: Engineering Magazine Press, 1900, 8vo, original cloth boards, spine gilt, (bought from Finer, 1998), [T&W A99], spine faded, upper board starting internally, rubbed iii. Felt, Dorr Eugene (1862-1930). Mechanical arithmetic or the history of the counting machine. Chicago: Whitman Publishing Company, 1917, 8vo, original olive paper wrappers, (bought from Esplin, 1980), [T&W F31], staples rusting, chipping to wrappers, adhesive tape repair to upper cover iv. McCarthy, James H. American digest of business machines. Chicago: James H. McCarthy, 1924, small 8vo, original morocco blocked in green, (bought from Jonathan Hill, 1980), [T&W M73; Randell 1979 p.151], rubbed, abrasion to front endpaper v. Curtis, Charles Ralph. "Machine book-keeping in banks" in The Banker, Vol. XXIII, #80, September 1932 pp.227-233. London: Financial Newspaper Proprietors Ltd. 1932, 4to, original marbled wrappers printed in blue and gold, modern folding cloth box, (bought from Pickering & Chatto, 1995), [T&W C213]vi. Curtis, Charles Ralph. Mechanised accountancy. Being a review of the latest methods of mechanical book-keeping together with a survey of the machines used. London: Charles Griffin & Company, Ltd., 1932, 4to, numerous illustrations, seven folding tables, red cloth, (bought from Stern, 1998), [T&W C214; Origins of Cyberspace 283; Randell 1979 p.123]vii. Appel, Richard W., et al. Electronic business machines, a new tool for management. Boston: 1953 actually 2005, 8vo, authorised facsimile printed by UMI books on demand, grey cloth, [not in Tomash & Williams]

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where 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."

McCarthy’s American digest of business machines is “probably an unparalleled survey of office machinery in the 1920's”; “Particularly extensive coverage is given to Burroughs Adding Machines, the Hollerith and the Powers Tabulating Systems, and the method of operation of the various rival book-keeping systems” (Randell).