Calculators & Calculating Machines: What to Record

Identification

Brand Text Technology & machines

Brand or manufacturer under which the object was sold.

Model Text Technology & machines

Model or product name given by the manufacturer.

Reference number Text Technology & machines

Manufacturer's model, reference or article number.

Serial number Text Technology & machines

Individual serial number of this object, as marked on it.

Year Year Technology & machines

Year of making, issue or publication when known exactly.

Date / period Text Technology & machines

When the object was made, as precise as known, e.g. 1876, c. 1890, 1920s, 2nd century AD.

Country Text Technology & machines

Country of origin or issue, by its usual English name (historic states as named at the time, e.g. Kingdom of Bavaria).

Reference link Link Technology & machines

Web page about this object or its reference entry (catalogue, database, sale).

Calculator type Choice, or your own

Kind of calculator or calculating device.

• Pocket calculator
• Desk calculator
• Scientific / programmable calculator
• Mechanical calculating machine
• Adding machine
• Slide rule

Display Choice, or your own

How results are shown.

• LED
• VFD (vacuum fluorescent)
• LCD
• Nixie tubes
• Printer (paper roll)
• Mechanical (dials / wheels)

Power source Choice, or your own

How the device is powered.

• Mains
• Battery
• Rechargeable battery
• Solar
• Hand-cranked / mechanical

Condition

Function and appearance, described separately.

Working order Choice Technology & machines

Whether the mechanism or device works.

• Working
• Working with faults
• Not tested
• Not working
• Restored to working order

Condition Choice Technology & machines

Overall condition in plain terms; domains with an established grading scale use that scale instead.

• Mint / as new
• Excellent
• Very good
• Good
• Fair
• Poor

Condition notes Text Technology & machines

Faults, wear and damage in detail.

Restoration & repairs Text Technology & machines

Restorations, repairs, replaced parts and cleaning, with who did them and when if known.

Completeness

Completeness Text Technology & machines

Parts, accessories, inserts and instructions present or missing.

Original packaging Choice Technology & machines

Original box, case, manual, certificate or warranty card that came with the object.

• Original box and documents
• Original box only
• Documents only
• None

Acquisition

How and when the object came into the collection.

Acquisition date Date Technology & machines

Date the object came into the collection.

Acquisition method Choice, or your own Technology & machines

How the object came into the collection.

• Purchase
• Auction
• Gift
• Inheritance
• Exchange / trade
• Self-collected / found
• Commission

Acquired from Text Technology & machines

Seller, auction house (with sale and lot number), donor or place where it was found.

Purchase price Amount Technology & machines

Price paid including fees and premiums.

Provenance Text Technology & machines

Earlier owners and the object's history, oldest first, with sources (labels, invoices, sale catalogues).

Value

Estimated and insured value.

Estimated value Amount Technology & machines

Current market value as estimated.

Valuation date Date Technology & machines

Date of the current value estimate.

Valuation basis Choice Technology & machines

What the estimated value is based on.

• Own estimate
• Recent sales / auction results
• Dealer offer
• Catalogue value
• Professional appraisal
• Insurance valuation

Insured value Amount Technology & machines

Sum the object is insured for.

Collection record

Your own inventory data.

Inventory number Text Technology & machines

Your own number or label for the object, e.g. C-0042, as written on its label or album page.

Storage location Text Technology & machines

Where the object is kept, e.g. room, cabinet, drawer, album and page, box.