Accession No

3767

Brief Description

arithmometer, by A. Burkhardt, German, circa 1890

Origin

Germany

Maker

Burkhardt, A.

Class

mathematics

Earliest Date

1890

Latest Date

1890

Inscription Date

Material

wood (mahogany, ebony); metal (brass); plastic; transparent material (horn?)

Dimensions

length 592mm; breadth 190mm; height 97mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Christie's, London, England; lot 63, 30/03/1993.

Inscription

‘A. Burkhardt
Glashütte i S.
No. 28’ (arithmometer)

Description Notes

Arithmometer in fitted mahogany case. Brass calculator front with 8 slider-keys each numbered 0 - 9. 16 circular holes through which to view the sums. Further 9 holes with numbers showing. Key to alter from multiplication to division. Winding handle at right-hand end. Two knurled plastic knobs for zeroing. Upper section hinges upwards to reveal mechanism and to allow adjustment for calculation involving decimals (?). Panelled hinged lid with transparent top to separated compartment on left side. ‘Rechenmachine.’ branded onto lid of box.

Condition fair; complete.

References

Mikey McGovern; 'Mechanical calculation'; Explore Whipple Collections online article; Whipple Museum of the History of Science; University of Cambridge: https://www.whipplemuseum.cam.ac.uk/explore-whipple-collections/calculating-devices/mechanical-calculation

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