Share your favorites on Show & Tell

1908 Burroughs Adding Machine with Beveled Glass

In Office > Calculators > Show & Tell.
LS3232's loves14 of 211958 Super-Frame Bowler by Chicago Coin Machine CompanyPhil Robinson Museum
16
Love it
1
Like it

mcheconimcheconi loves this.
subi450subi450 loves this.
RichmondLoriRichmondLori loves this.
WatchsearcherWatchsearcher loves this.
yougottahavestuffyougottahavestuff loves this.
MrstyndallMrstyndall loves this.
Vynil33rpmVynil33rpm loves this.
VILLAINK13VILLAINK13 loves this.
RadegunderRadegunder loves this.
ChePibeChePibe loves this.
pops52pops52 loves this.
keith09olikeith09oli loves this.
aycockonxionaycockonxion loves this.
VintageTAKER54VintageTAKER54 likes this.
LS3232LS3232 loves this.
BHenryBHenry loves this.
RichardPoltRichardPolt loves this.
See 15 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 14 years ago

    potrero
    (156 items)

    It was the beveled glass on this machine that blew me away when I first spotted it at the Alameda Antiques show. I’ve seen plenty of antique adding machines before – most notably the Comptometer, a very cool device invented by Dorr Eugene Felt. But they’re usually not that eye catching. This Burroughs thing was an amazing beast, with see-through sides so you could see all the inner workings, and a cast-iron frame and porcelain finish that just reeked of quality. Finally, the Burroughs stencil on the inside front of the glass was perfectly intact, after 101 years.

    How much would they want for this amazing beast? $400? Nope… $40. Sold! About a dollar per pound. And a bargain compared to the $450 it cost in 1908, as I learned by researching it later that day on the Early Office Museum website. These Burroughs machines were the supercomputers of their day, selling by the thousands to large companies – too bad we can’t figure out how to work it!

    The machine had a lot of grunge, but cleaned up nicely. The handle (which makes a great sound when you pull it) comes out, allowing you to pull off the top and clean the insides of the glass. Inside I found the date 7-16-08 etched into the metal (not 2008!). The 100 year old green felt beneath the key was a little harder to clean… but worth it. Now if we only had some green eye shade!

    logo
    Calculators
    See all
     Rechargeable HP Calculator Battery Classic CASE HP 35, 45, 55, 65, 67, 80
    Rechargeable HP Calculator Battery...
    $36
     Alkaline Hewlett Packard Calculator Battery CASE HP 35, 45, 55, 65, 67, and 80
    Alkaline Hewlett Packard Calculato...
    $38
    Gummy Wheel Repair Hewlett Packard Calculator HP-65, 67, and HP-97
    Gummy Wheel Repair Hewlett Packard ...
    $5
    PX41C a HP41C calculator kit
    PX41C a HP41C calculator kit...
    $69
    logo
     Rechargeable HP Calculator Battery Classic CASE HP 35, 45, 55, 65, 67, 80
    Rechargeable HP Calculator Battery...
    $36
    See all

    Comments

    1. Antonio Wetzstein, 14 years ago
      I found one of these from 1906 and have been desperately trying to find somewhere to get it cleaned up. I was wondering if you had any tips or somewhere that you could refer me to.
    2. potrero, 14 years ago
      no ideas - I cleaned mine up myself.
    3. Michael, 14 years ago
      I have a Burroughs adding machine serial number 5-1332940 in working order.
      I was wondering if you knew the age and how much it would be worth and if you knew any one that would be interested in buying it.
    4. Michael, 14 years ago
      the small crank handle is beveled. The adding machine also has its own original leather case
    5. BHenry BHenry, 14 years ago
      The real dawn of computers. There isn't a kid worth his salt that wouldn't want to play with those buttons. Ok so there is still some kid in me. :)
    6. pat /jeana voller, 13 years ago
      we own a burrogh STYLE #5 VIN: R25-17899 which makes this unit pre 1903 the unit is completely operational with the total behind front glass the "R" REPRESENTS THAT THIS UNIT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST 300 REFURBISHED UNITS IN 1903 SO ACTUAL BUILT DATE IS UNKNOWN TO ME ARE POSSIBLY INTERESTED IN THIS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE PICTURES AND IF SO ITS POSSIBLE VALUE THANK YOU

      PAT 727-896-2721
    7. Daniel Benavidez, 13 years ago
      I have a Burroughs Style #3 which was given to me, it has the beveled glass. Im trying to get an idea of what its worth can you please help me
    8. Lee Sayer, 13 years ago
      Google has several great sites on the Burroughs Adders and other machines,your machine should have a serial number on a brass plate which the site will tell you what year the machine was manafactored.A good guide for pricing is eBay.
    9. Amireah Signorino , 13 years ago
      Does anyone have directions on how to use this machine?
    10. Carole Spring , 13 years ago
      My husband was employed by Burroughs in Australia & did his mechanical
      test to join the company on this machine in 1950.
    11. Mac, 13 years ago
      Hello, I bought a beautiful Buroughs adding machine on the road side for $10. It was irrisistable when I first laid eyes on it and after asking the price I was pulling out my wallet before I could say I would take it. However, I have searched online and found similar models but I can't find mine.
      If any of you know anything it would be appreciated. Im cleaning it up and putting it on a shelf but to know more of the history would make great conversation. No 7-115881, it has glass sides and front and a metal side that flips up and remains stable to use as a small writing area.

      Thanks so much in advance!

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.