Jaap's Mechanical Calculators Page

Comptometer Promotional Material

Felt & Tarrant did a large amount of advertising from the start. This included adverts in newspapers and magazines, promotional booklets, leaflets, etcetera. On this page you will find the promotional material that I have in my collection. To see the huge collection of images of newspaper and magazine adverts that I found online, visit the Comptometer Advertisements page.

Booklets
Magazine Adverts
Cardboard items
Leaflets
Letters


Booklets

Newspaper and magazine adverts would often offer a free pamphlet or booklet with further information. Here is my attempt to compile a list of the titles of all the free booklets that Felt & Tarrant produced. Those with an asterisk are ones I own that can be seen a little further down the page. Some of them seem to be aimed at specific industries, rather than the general public.

1893: The Comptometer: The Arithmetic Machine
1893: * Stop to Think: The Comptometer "quicker Than Thought"
1907: Rapid Mechanical Accounting
1909: * Noiseless Duplex Comptometer, New Model C
1911: The Comptometer: Adds, Multiplies, Divides, Subtracts
1912: Method of dividing passenger rates on the comptometer, by J.T. Jeffrey
1913: * Rapid Mechanical Calculation / Comptometer Adding & Calculating Machine Operated by Keys Alone
1913: * Enforced Accuracy: Controlled Key Comptometer (UK only?)
1913: Suggestions on auditing in dry goods and department stores, by A.D. Davies
1913: The Comptometer in the Dairy & Creamery Industry
1914: Leading the Bookkeepers out of Bondage, by Mr. F. Burnham McLeary
1914: Daily Ledger Control
1914: Comptometer Trial Balance Sub-Total Sheets
1914: The Comptometer as Applied to Engineering Calculations
1914: Some everyday uses of the comptometer
1915: Better Methods of Accounting
1921: * A Great Step Forward (UK only)
1921: Better Methods of Handling Figure Work
1930: Simplified Sales Analysis
1933: A New Method of Compiling a Sales Analysis
1934: Comptometer Peg-board Methods, by George D. Lane
1937: A New Simplified Payroll Method
1948: Peg-board Accounting
1948: Felt & Tarrant's Streamlined Payroll Plan

"Stop to Think": The Comptometer "quicker Than Thought"
Felt & Tarrant Mfg Co., Chicago, U.S.A.
1893
32 page stapled booklet
115mm × 152mm (booklet), 116mm × 520mm (customer list)

This tiny promotional booklet introduces the Comptometer, has a price list, describes how addition and multiplication is done (and very briefly division too), their 3-year guarantee, and ends with a list of many companies that have bought several Comptometers and a list of testimonials. It came with a separate long list of repeat customers.
It is interesting that the price list says that the Comptometer is available not just with 8, 10, or 12 columns of keys, but also with 16.

The booklet does not contain any copyright year but it is highly likely from 1893 because it mentions the Columbian Exposition of 1893, the example of their 3-year guarantee is dated March 1893, and the list of repeat customers says that the Comptometer had been on the market for four years. Note however that there is already another booklet supposedly from 1893 (The Comptometer: The Arithmetic Machine). I've also seen the year 1897 used for this booklet, so it may be that various editions were printed.

Stop to Think: The Comptometer 'quicker Than Thought', front cover
Stop to Think: The Comptometer 'quicker Than Thought', first page
Stop to Think: The Comptometer 'quicker Than Thought', page 8/9
Stop to Think: The Comptometer 'quicker Than Thought', last page
Stop to Think: The Comptometer 'quicker Than Thought', back cover

This is a list of "Some of those who after having purchased one Comptometer, purchased more of them".

List of repeat customers of the Comptometer
List of repeat customers of the Comptometer
List of repeat customers of the Comptometer

Rapid Mechanical Calculation / Comptometer Adding & Calculating Machine Operated by Keys Alone    (PDF, 10.0 MB or archive.org)
Felt & Tarrant Mfg Co., London
1913
24 page stapled booklet, with 7 page stapled supplement
137mm × 202mm

This promotional booklet describes in detail what a Comptometer is and how it can aid in business. As with the booklet above, it was probably freely sent to people who responded to an advert requesting more information. It contains a separate supplement which lists the many companies that were already using Comptometers. Note that this is the U.K. edition - it has London rather than Chicago on the title page, and the testimonials and the supplement's list of users are from the U.K. only.
The booklet does not contain any publication year, but as it mentions the model E it probably dates from around 1913. Adverts from 1910 already mention a booklet with this title, so an earlier edition probably exists.

Rapid mechanical calculation
Rapid mechanical calculation
Rapid mechanical calculation
Rapid mechanical calculation

Noiseless Duplex Comptometer    (PDF, 2.69 MB or archive.org)
Felt & Tarrant Mfg Co., Chicago, Illinois
1909
12 page stapled booklet
229mm × 102mm

This promotional booklet describes the new model C Comptometer. It does not contain any publication year, but as the model C was released in 1909, the booklet likely dates from the same year. This was probably a free booklet would be sent to anyone who replied to an advert to request more information.
Unfortunately my copy of this booklet is in very poor condition. It is missing its covers, the front leaf is detached and the corresponding two pages on the rear leaf are missing.

Noiseless Duplex Comptometer

Enforced Accuracy: Controlled Key Comptometer    (PDF, 5.34 MB or archive.org)
Felt & Tarrant Mfg Co., London
1913
12 page stapled booklet
130mm × 274mm

This promotional booklet describes the new model E Comptometer, emphasising the new Controlled Key mechanism that "enforces accuracy". It does not contain any publication year, but as the model E was released in 1913, the booklet likely dates from the same year. As with the booklets above, it was probably a free booklet sent to people (in the U.K.) who responded to an advert requesting more information.

Enforced Accuracy: Controlled Key Comptometer
Enforced Accuracy: Controlled Key Comptometer
Enforced Accuracy: Controlled Key Comptometer

A Great Step Forward    (PDF, 6.70 MB or archive.org)
Herbert E. Robbins Ltd.
16 page stapled booklet
137mm × 214mm
1921

This 16 page booklet was written by Herbert E. Robbins, and sent to many large British firms on the 14th of February 1921. It describes the model H, but oddly it has no pictures of the Comptometer at all and instead has cute drawings by C. Lovat Fraser, a well-known artist who died later that year.

A Great Step Forward
A Great Step Forward

Un Gran Passo In Avanti (A Great Step Forward), Italian advertising booklet     (PDF, 6.36 MB or archive.org)
Giovanni Ferraris
16 page stapled booklet
132mm × 208mm
1921

This 16 page booklet is in Italian, and is a direct translation of the English booklet "A Great Step Forward" above. It even has the exact same page layout and illustrations. It was printed for Giovanni Ferraris, which was the exclusive distributor of the Comptometer in Italy.

Italian Comptometer Booklet
Italian Comptometer Booklet

Magazine Adverts

Here is a series of eight magazine advertisements promoting the first wooden model (1887-1903), which mostly appeared in Harpers Magazine Advertiser, and in McClure's Magazine.
There are also two later magazine advertisements depicting model B or C (1906-1912).
I own physical copies of these adverts, but have decided to not collect any more because I dislike the idea that old magazines are destroyed for their adverts.

Magazine ad for wooden model Comptometer, 1894
Magazine ad for wooden model Comptometer
Magazine ad for wooden model Comptometer
Magazine ad for wooden model Comptometer, 1895
Magazine ad for wooden model Comptometer, 1895
Magazine ad for wooden model Comptometer, 1896
Magazine ad for wooden model Comptometer
Magazine ad for wooden model Comptometer, 1903
Magazine ad for model B or C Comptometer
Magazine ad for model B or C Comptometer, 1909

Cardboard items

COMPTOMETER. Have You heard of The Great Arithmetic Machine?
Felt & Tarrant Mfg Co., Chicago, U.S.A.
1889?
International advertising postcard
131mm × 77mm

This postcard has a Comptometer advert on the message side, while the address side is a standard US postal card with preprinted 2 cent stamp. The advert promotes the Comptometer and like most of the magazine adverts below offers a free pamphlet with further information.
This card was sent to the Lancashire Insurance Company in Manchester, England. It may have been sent in 1889 as it was part of a collection of cards from 1880-89, but I suspect it is actually from a few years later, about 1893 or so. Either way, it shows that Felt & Tarrant were very early on trying to expand their market to outside the USA.

Comptometer Postcard
Comptometer Postcard
Comptometer Postcard

We don't Waste Money...
Felt & Tarrant Mfg Co., Chicago, U.S.A.
25 September 1895
Advertising postcard
70mm × 45mm

This postcard has a Comptometer advert on the message side, while the address side is a standard US postal card with preprinted 1 cent stamp. The advert offers a 60 day free trial of the Comptometer.
This card was sent to The Wachusett Shirt Company in Leominster, Massachusetts and is postmarked 25 September 1895.

Comptometer Postcard
Comptometer Postcard
Comptometer Postcard
Comptometer Postcard

Rapid Service
Felt & Tarrant Mfg Co., New York
1905
Advertising postcard
117mm × 183mm

This is an advertising postcard, probably from around 1905, promoting a 30-day free trial. It was printed for Arthur J. De Berard who was the sales agent for the East coast of the USA.

Rapid Service advertising postcard
Rapid Service advertising postcard
Rapid Service advertising postcard
Rapid Service advertising postcard

Where There's Smoke There's Fire
Felt & Tarrant Mfg Co., New York
1905
Fold-out advertising postcard
111mm × 188mm folded, 487mm × 188mm unfolded

This is an advertising postcard, probably from around 1905, promoting a 30-day free trial. It was printed for Arthur J. De Berard who was the sales agent for the East coast of the USA.

Where There's Smoke There's Fire advertising postcard
Where There's Smoke There's Fire advertising postcard
Where There's Smoke There's Fire advertising postcard
Where There's Smoke There's Fire advertising postcard

"We use the Comptometer exclusively"
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 678
1915-1920
1-sided card
233mm × 101mm

This card promotes the Model F Comptometer with a testimonial from J. H. Snyder, the Vice-President of the Coats & Burchard Company, Public Appraisers and Engineers, who use 34 machines.

We use the Comptometer exclusively card, front
We use the Comptometer exclusively card, back
We use the Comptometer exclusively card, scan

Here's what makes inventory easy
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 668
1915-1920
1-sided card
234mm × 101mm

Card promoting the Model F Comptometer.

Here's what makes inventory easy card, front
Here's what makes inventory easy card, back
Here's what makes inventory easy card, scan

Bookkeeping - as Briggs sees it
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
1915-1920
1-sided card
234mm × 99mm

A card promoting the Model F Comptometer. It has a cartoon drawn by Clare Briggs, a well-known comic strip artist whose work appeared in the Chicago Herald and the New York Tribune. This cartoon features his "Ain't It a Grand and Glorious Feeling?" catchphrase.

Bookkeeping - as Briggs sees it card, front
Bookkeeping - as Briggs sees it card, back
Bookkeeping - as Briggs sees it card, scan

Ask Topping
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 734
1915-1920
1-sided card
234mm × 99mm

This card promotes the Model F Comptometer by pointing out that Topping Valuation Company guarantees the accuracy of their figures and that they use exclusively Comptometers.

Ask Topping, card, front
Ask Topping, card, back
Ask Topping, card, scan front

How to select the right machine for your work
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 740
1915-1920
1-sided card
232mm × 101mm

Another card promoting the Model F Comptometer. This one emphasises the fact that most of the calculations needed in business are additions and multiplications and that the Comptometer excels at that.

How to select the right machine for your work, card, front
How to select the right machine for your work, card, back
How to select the right machine for your work, card, scan front

Model H card
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 789
1920-1927
4-page folded card
122mm × 179mm

This card is in the shape of a Model H comptometer.

Model H card, front
Model H card, inside
Model H card, back
Model H card, front/back
Model H card, inside

Der Zweck aller Rechenarbeit
Comptometer Gesellschaft m.b.H., Berlin
1920-1927
1-sided card
231mm × 99mm

A German card promoting the Model H comptometer.

Der Zweck aller Rechenarbeit card, front
Der Zweck aller Rechenarbeit card, back
Der Zweck aller Rechenarbeit card, scan

Announcing the new Supertotalizer
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 888
1933
1-sided card
232mm × 95mm

A card promoting the Supertotalizer. There are very few adverts for this model because the electric model K was introduced shortly after and promoted much more heavily.

Announcing the new Supertotalizer card, front
Announcing the new Supertotalizer card, back
Announcing the new Supertotalizer card, scan

Dutch card for Model S
Felt & Tarrant Mfg Co., Amsterdam
90mm × 140mm
1933

This Dutch card promotes the Super Totalizer, which it calls the Comptometer model S. Presumably it dates from around 1933 or 1934 since there is no mention of the electric model K. With the reply postcard you could request more information and/or a free demonstration of the ST with no obligation to buy.
This card was addressed to Roos & v.d. Kolk, a large department store in The Hague. This was a chain that had stores in Den Haag, Utrecht and Rotterdam, and they sold everything for in the home, from clothing and prams to furniture, heaters and carpets.
The address of the Dutch Felt & Tarrant offices was then in the Mercurius building, Prins Hendrikkade 20-21 in Amsterdam. See the Dutch manual in the Books section for their previous addresses in Amsterdam.

Comptometer Model S Card
Comptometer Model S Card
Comptometer Model S Card

Swedish card
Bertil Stenbeck A.B., Stockholm
80mm × 150mm
1930?

This Swedish card promotes the Comptometer for use in salary calculations. It has a separate reply card that was stuck to it with a round paper sticker. There is no mention any particular model and it contains no copyright year, so it is hard to tell when it was printed. The Bertil Stenbeck company was apparently founded in 1929 and the picture show a shoebox comptometer, so the card must be from the 1930s. I believe it is more likely to be near the beginning of that decade.

Swedish Comptometer Card
Swedish Comptometer Card
Swedish Comptometer Card
Swedish Comptometer Card
Swedish Comptometer Card
Swedish Comptometer Card, scan
Swedish Comptometer Card, scan
Swedish Comptometer Card, scan
Swedish Comptometer Card, scan

Comptometer School postcard
Felt & Tarrant Ltd.
80mm × 150mm
12 May 1934

This postcard with a postage date of 12 May 1934 shows a photograph of the Comptometer School at Aldwych House in London. It was sent to Comptometer operators to encourage them to recruit others. The text reads:

Dear Miss Cleary,

Owing to the great extension of Comptometer business we are immediately in need of students to be trained as operators. We are, therefore, continuing to pay 10/- bonus to any operator introducing such students. The course now takes 3 months. An illustrated booklet giving full particulars regarding the School will be sent on request.
Thanking you for any assistance you may be able to give us in this connection.
Yours faithfully,
FELT & TARRANT, LTD.
Comptometer School Postcard
Comptometer School Postcard
Comptometer School Postcard
Comptometer School Postcard

Italian Floating Touch card
Carlo Ferraris Soc. Acc.
80mm × 150mm
1950

This Italian card promotes the electric "Floating Touch" Comptometer, also known as Model 992 or 99C.

Italian Floating Touch card
Italian Floating Touch card
Italian Floating Touch card

Many Comptometer Operators are needed
Felt & Tarrant, Ltd.
141mm × 168mm
1956

This card promotes the Comptometer schools, and was included with the 1956 issue of Comptometer Medley.

Many Comptometer Operators are needed
Many Comptometer Operators are needed
Many Comptometer Operators are needed
Many Comptometer Operators are needed

The New Comptometer Commander Postcard
Comptometer Dictation Division, Comptometer Corporation, Algonquin, Illinois
139mm × 88mm
1955

This postcard promotes the Comptometer Commander, a dictation machine that used a wide mylar magnetic belt.

The New Comptometer Commander Postcard
The New Comptometer Commander Postcard
The New Comptometer Commander Postcard
The New Comptometer Commander Postcard

Leaflets

Italian advertising leaflet
Ing. Dino Gatta & C.
Three part folded leaflet
115mm × 175mm folded, 342mm × 175mm unfolded
1900(?)

This leaflet is in Italian, and probably from around 1900 as it promotes the wooden model Comptometer. It was printed for Dino Gatta who at this time was the Italian Felt & Tarrant representative.

Italian Comptometer Leaflet
Italian Comptometer Leaflet
Italian Comptometer Leaflet
Italian Comptometer Leaflet
Italian Comptometer Leaflet

English Girl beats the World's Record at Adding
1918
4 page leaflet
169mm × 224mm

This leaflet describes a calculating competition. It took place during an exhibition of office equipment held in the Royal Agricultural Halls in Islington, London, on Saturday June 8th, 1918. It was open to users of any calculating machine, but seems to have been organised by Felt & Tarrant (or actually the U.K. distributor Herbert E. Robbins) as a publicity stunt in the knowledge that a Comptometer operator would likely win. The addition contest was won by Amy Bower, who correctly added 5 columns of 30 monetary amounts (pounds, shillings, pence) in 3 minutes 51 seconds, supposedly a world record. The multiplication contest was won by Mabel Hall, who correctly multiplied 25 pairs of four-digit numbers in 2 minutes and 38 seconds.
In the photograph of the Felt & Tarrant stand at the exhibition you can also see the stand of Burroughs, their main competitor, nearby.

English Girl beats the World's Record at Adding
English Girl beats the World's Record at Adding
English Girl beats the World's Record at Adding
English Girl beats the World's Record at Adding

Waiting Your Instructions
Herbert E. Robbins Ltd.
1916-1919
4 page leaflet
248mm × 299mm

Herbert E. Robbins Ltd. was the exclusive distributor of the Comptometer in the United Kingdom. This sales leaflet describes British Comptometer training schools. Companies who had bought Comptometers could get their staff trained there for free. It was also possible to hire trained Comptometer Operators temporarily to deal with busy periods. This leaflet mentions enlistment, so it must be from the period 1916-1919 when army conscription was in effect.

Waiting Your Instructions
Waiting Your Instructions
Waiting Your Instructions
Waiting Your Instructions
Waiting Your Instructions

The Proof of the Pudding
Herbert E. Robbins Ltd.
1920
2-sided leaflet
207mm × 330mm

The leaflet focuses on the large number of repeat customers for the Comptometer. It would have had a post-card attached that you could send back to ask for someone to demonstrate the Comptometer.
It accompanied a letter by Herbert Robbins dated 1st June 1920 which can be seen below.

The Proof of the Pudding leaflet
The Proof of the Pudding leaflet
The Proof of the Pudding leaflet

But You Save Considerable L.S.D.
Felt & Tarrant Ltd.
1925?
4-page leaflet
208mm × 322mm

This is a British promotional leaflet. It is not clear when it was printed as it has no copyright year, but it seems to show the model H, and I suspect it is from about 1925. It would have had a post-card attached that you could send back to ask for more information or for someone to demonstrate the Comptometer.

'But You Save Considerable L.S.D.' leaflet, front
'But You Save Considerable L.S.D.' leaflet, page 2
'But You Save Considerable L.S.D.' leaflet, page 3
'But You Save Considerable L.S.D.' leaflet, page 4
'But You Save Considerable L.S.D.' leaflet, attached flap
'But You Save Considerable L.S.D.' leaflet, under attached flap
'But You Save Considerable L.S.D.' leaflet, scan, front
'But You Save Considerable L.S.D.' leaflet, scan, pages 2 and 3
'But You Save Considerable L.S.D.' leaflet, scan, page 4

New Comptometer Decimal model/Sterling model
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
1920
2-sided page
123mm × 204mm

This is probably a page cut from a booklet, as there seem to be rust stains along one edge from staples. It advertises the model H Comptometer, with decimal or sterling keboards.

New Comptometer Decimal model/Sterling model, front
New Comptometer Decimal model/Sterling model, back
New Comptometer Decimal model/Sterling model, front
New Comptometer Decimal model/Sterling model, back

News Item No. 8
Peacock Bros. Pty. Ltd.
1920
4-page folded leaflet
73mm × 135mm

A small leaflet from Peacock Bros. who were the sole distributors of the Comptometer in Australia.

News Item No. 8, front
News Item No. 8, back
News Item No. 8, front
News Item No. 8, back

Wonderful Pictures
Peacock Bros. Pty. Ltd.
1920?
8-page leaflet
140mm × 217mm

This Australian booklet from Peacock Bros. promotes the Comptometer Model H, describes how profits are calculated and the results of a calculation contest. The winner was Miss O'Shea of the Commonwealth Postal Department, who added 56 columns of 30 numbers in 30 minutes.

Wonderful Pictures booklet, front
Wonderful Pictures booklet, pages 2/3
Wonderful Pictures booklet, pages 4/5
Wonderful Pictures booklet, pages 6/8
Wonderful Pictures booklet, back
Wonderful Pictures booklet, front
Wonderful Pictures booklet, pages 2/3
Wonderful Pictures booklet, pages 4/5
Wonderful Pictures booklet, pages 6/8
Wonderful Pictures booklet, back

L'Addizionatrice e Calcolatrice Comptometer
C & R Ferraris, Via Pietro Micca 9, Torino
1920-1925?
One-sided leaflet
226mm × 295mm

Large Italian advert showing a photo of Comptometers being used at Edoardo Bianchi, a car and motorcycle manufacturer in Milan. The comptometers are model H or J, but from the style of the advert it probably dates from the early 1920s.

L'Addizionatrice e Calcolatrice Comptometer, Edoardo Bianchi
L'Addizionatrice e Calcolatrice Comptometer, Edoardo Bianchi

What it does!
FELT & TARRANT LTD., Aldwych House, Aldwych, London, W.C. 2.
1930?
4-page leaflet
216mm × 282mm (leaflet), 140 × 87(card)

Large leaflet about the model H or J Comptometer. It includes a picture of the Comptometer Peg-Board, as well as a picture of one of the 18 Comptometer schools in the UK. It came with a reply postcard.

What it does leaflet, front
What it does leaflet, page 2
What it does leaflet, page 3
What it does leaflet, back
What it does reply card, front
What it does reply card, back
What it does leaflet, scan front
What it does leaflet, scan inside
What it does leaflet, scan back
What it does reply card, scan front
What it does reply card, scan back

Faster Figurework .... at less cost!
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 875
1933
10 page folded leaflet
121mm × 204mm

This leaflet describes the development of the Comptometer since its inception 50 years earlier. It also mentions the 100 Comptometer schools in the USA and contains a brief description of the new peg-board system.

Faster Figurework leaflet, front
Faster Figurework leaflet, inside 1
Faster Figurework leaflet, inside 2
Faster Figurework leaflet, inside 3
Faster Figurework leaflet, inside 4
Faster Figurework leaflet, inside 5
Faster Figurework leaflet, back
Faster Figurework leaflet, scan front/back
Faster Figurework leaflet, scan inside

Indian leaflet
Felt & Tarrant (India) Co., Calcutta
1939
4 page leaflet with attached reply card
217mm × 280mm

This Indian leaflet promotes the electric model K, as well as the standard model J and rather unusually the Super Totalizer. It has the reply card still attached. It is interesting that all the photos and illustrations of the Comptometer show them as having a different arrangement of key column colours. The last two columns have distinct colours and are marked As/P (for Annas and Paise) with the other columns marked Rs (Rupees). They also all seem to be painted in the dark model K colour with lighter decorations.

This leaflet was accompanied by a letter from the Indian branch of the Felt & Tarrant company, dated 10th August 1939. The letter can be seen in the letters section below.

Indian Comptometer promo leaflet, front
Indian Comptometer promo leaflet, centre
Indian Comptometer promo leaflet, back

Getting a start in business Comptometer school leaflet
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
1939
Form 935
8 page leaflet
186mm × 230mm

This leaflet promotes the Comptometer schools in the USA and around the world.

Getting a start in business, front
Getting a start in business, pages 2/3
Getting a start in business, pages 4/5
Getting a start in business, pages 6/7
Getting a start in business, back
Getting a start in business, scan front
Getting a start in business, scan pages 2/3
Getting a start in business, scan pages 4/5
Getting a start in business, scan pages 6/7
Getting a start in business, scan back

Presenting the new Cushioned Touch Comptometer
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 942
1939
6 page folded leaflet
217mm × 280mm

This leaflet promotes the "Cushioned Touch Comptometer". i.e. the Model M.

Presenting the new Cushioned Touch Comptometer, front
Presenting the new Cushioned Touch Comptometer, inside 1
Presenting the new Cushioned Touch Comptometer, inside 2
Presenting the new Cushioned Touch Comptometer, inside 3
Presenting the new Cushioned Touch Comptometer, back
Presenting the new Cushioned Touch Comptometer, scan front
Presenting the new Cushioned Touch Comptometer, scan back

La Comptometer supertotali tocco piuma
Felt & Tarrant; Carlo Ferraris, Torino; Renzo Ferraris, Milano
1945-1950?
4-page leaflet
217mm × 285mm

Large Italian advertising leaflet for the Super Totaliser version of the Comptometer model M. It seems that this machine was sold and used mostly in Italy, and it may be that it was manufactured (or at least assembled) locally.

La Comptometer supertotali tocco piuma
La Comptometer supertotali tocco piuma
La Comptometer supertotali tocco piuma
La Comptometer supertotali tocco piuma
La Comptometer supertotali tocco piuma
La Comptometer supertotali tocco piuma
La Comptometer supertotali tocco piuma

Nuovo modello "M" supertotali
Carlo Ferraris Soc. Acc., Torino
1945-1950?
One-sided leaflet
219mm × 281mm

Large Italian advertising leaflet for the Super Totaliser version of the Comptometer model M.

Nuovo modello M supertotali
Nuovo modello M supertotali

The machine she's been wishing for...
Comptometer Division, Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 3025
1950
4-page leaflet
189mm × 229mm

This leaflet introduces the Comptometer 3D11.

The machine she's been wishing for, front
The machine she's been wishing for, inside
The machine she's been wishing for, back
The machine she's been wishing for, scan front
The machine she's been wishing for, scan inside
The machine she's been wishing for, scan back

Floating Touch
Comptometer Division, Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 3021
1950
4-page leaflet
184mm × 230mm

This leaflet introduces the electric Comptometer model 3D11.

Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet

Floating Touch
Comptometer Division, Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 3021-I
1950
4-page leaflet
184mm × 230mm

This is the Italian version of the "Floating Touch" leaflet above.

Italian Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Italian Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Italian Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Italian Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Italian Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet
Italian Floating Touch Comptometer advertising leaflet

Your invitation to success
Comptometer Division, Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
Form 3027
1950
8-page leaflet
182mm × 217mm

This leaflet promotes the Comptometer schools in the USA and around the world.

Your invitation to success, front
Your invitation to success, pages 2/3
Your invitation to success, pages 4/5
Your invitation to success, pages 6/7
Your invitation to success, back
Your invitation to success, scan front
Your invitation to success, scan pages 2/3
Your invitation to success, scan pages 4/5
Your invitation to success, scan pages 6/7
Your invitation to success, scan back

Comptometer 992 "Tocco Piuma"
Felt & Tarrant, Chicago; Renzo Ferraris, Milano; Carlo Ferraris, Torino
1950-1955
Two-sided leaflet
200mm × 299mm

Large Italian advertising leaflet for the electric Comptometer, model 992.

Comptometer 992 Tocco Piuma
Comptometer 992 Tocco Piuma
Comptometer 992 Tocco Piuma
Comptometer 992 Tocco Piuma

The New High Fidelity Comptometer Dictation and Transcription Machine
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co., Algonquin, Ill.
Form 4000
1955
Two-sided leaflet
217mm × 280mm

In about 1955 Felt & Tarrant diversified by manufacturing a dictation machine. The recording medium was a wide Mylar belt of magnetic tape, called the Erase-O-Matic magnetic belt, which allowed for quick access to any part of the recording just by moving the tape head sideways.

The New Comptometer Dictation Machine
The New Comptometer Dictation Machine
The New Comptometer Dictation Machine
The New Comptometer Dictation Machine

"C. D. M." La nuova macchina Comptometer Dettatrice-trascrittrice elettronica
Carlo Ferraris Soc. Acc., Torino
Form 4000
1955
Two-sided leaflet
208mm × 282mm

This is the Italian version of the advertising leaflet above for the Comptometer dictation machine.

La nuova macchina Comptometer Dettatrice
La nuova macchina Comptometer Dettatrice
La nuova macchina Comptometer Dettatrice
La nuova macchina Comptometer Dettatrice

Comptometer elettrica
Comptometer Corporation - Ditta Renzo Ferraris, Carlo Ferraris
1957
One-sided leaflet
212mm × 294mm

Large Italian advert for the electric Comptometer, model 992. On the reply slip it also shows the Comptometer dictation machine, as well as a listing calculator made by Walther that was sold by the Comptometer Corporation and rebadged as the Comptometer 202 or the Comptograph 202. As this advert uses the name company name Comptometer Corporation, it probably dates from 1957 or later.

Comptometer elettrica
Comptometer elettrica

Letters

1896 Letter
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
14-09-1896
1-sided letter
210mm × 275mm

This is a standard mail shot letter. The very elaborate letterhead was printed by the Wisconsin Bank Note Co., Milwaukee. The letter was accompanied by a pamphlet and a list of 101 testimonials.

Mess. A.M.Holter Hardware Co.,
        Helena Mont.

Gentlemen:-

        If you desire it, we will send a Comptometer on sixty days
trial, providing you will pay express charges both ways in case
you do not purchase it. We make this offer because we find the
Comptometer itself is our best salesman.
        It will not run itself. Like the typewriter it requires a
reasonable amount of practice to enable one to operate it
rapidly, addition requiring more practice than anything else.
Multiplication requires the least. If you will have one person
in your office use it on practical work twenty minutes a day for
a few weeks, he will acquire sufficient skill to make it almost
indispensable to you.
        We especially call your attention to the character of the
101 testimonials, the writers of some of them doubtless being
personally known to you, and the fact that during the short time
it has been in the market, many, after purchasing one Comptom-
eter, have purchased a second one, and in some instances, a
third, fourth, fifth and sixth - see list on pages 14 and 15 of
pamphlet.
        In adding it foots all the columns simultaneously by simply
striking one key for each figure, (except ciphers which are not
struck at all) footing bundles of checks, scattered items and
cross footings just as well as regular columns.
        We know that a Comptometer properly operated would pay for
itself many times over in your office. The only question is,
whether or not you have some one who will take hold of it and
give it enough of the right kind of practice in actual work to
become skilled in operating it, and whether you have or not, can
only be determined by trial. If you are willing to pay the
express, we are willing to supply the machine for the trial.
                       Yours very truly,
                       Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
                       D. E. Felt
1896 Letter
1896 Letter scan

1897 Letter
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
28-01-1897
1-sided letter
210mm × 274mm (letter), 165mm × 91mm (envelope)

This is a hand-written letter from F.W. De Berard to A. H. Stanton in Huntington, Massachusetts. Presumably this was Albert H. Stanton, born 23rd January 1860, who was the town auditor. Note the lack of house or street name on the envelope.
Heywood Bros & Co were a furniture manufacturer in Gardner, Massachusetts.

Jany 28/97
AH Stanton
Huntington
Dear Sir,
   Request for trial was sent direct
to Chicago from Heywood Bros & Co Gardner
Mass & Compt was sent on 25th.
   Can you go there inside of say, a week
or 10 ds, if so, we will turn it over to you.
   We think they should be seen as soon
as that.
Yours truly,
F. W. De Berard

1897 Letter
1897 envelope front
1897 envelope back
1897 Letter scan
1897 envelope scan front
1897 envelope scan back

1898 Letter
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
17-01-1898
1-sided letter
214mm × 140mm (letter), 165mm × 93mm (envelope)

This is another hand-written letter from De Berard to Stanton, apparently paying him a commission. Smith Hogg & Gardner was a dry goods store and D. C. Percival & Co a jewellery store, both in Boston. It was quite difficult to decipher the writing, but it seems to say the following:

Jany 17/98
Dear Stanton,
Enclosed find check $50.00 your com on sales
to Smith Hogg & Gardner and D. C. Percival &c.
It pleases us to be able to advise, that we have recd
$10 from Reagan.
Yours truly,
F. W. De Berard

1898 Letter
1898 envelope front
1898 envelope back
1898 Letter scan
1898 envelope scan front
1898 envelope scan back

1906 Letter
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
14-11-1906
1-sided letter
214mm × 272mm

The letterhead has become more sober, displaying the wooden box comptometer and company name. It no longer mentions the Comptograph, as that had been split off in a separate company run by Robert Tarrant. The letterhead also lists the company managers, and shows the cable/telegraph address and the code books that can be used in telegrams sent to them.

Mr. B. V. Herrman,
          Columbus, Ohio,
Dear Sir:-
          I enclose herewith carbon copy of my letter of even date to
Mr. E. T. Burnett, Pur. Agt. of the N. & W. which will explain itself.
                                   Very respectfully,
                                         John B. Cooper
                                                 Sales Agent.
1906 Letter
1906 Letter, scan

1919 Letter
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
30-04-1919
1-sided letter
212mm × 275mm

The letterhead now shows the model F comptometer, and the Felt & Tarrant factory.

                       April 30, 1919
36041

The city of Springfield.
Streets & Engineering Department.,
Springfield, Mass.

Gentlemen:-

               Enclosed find invoice in duplicate, with guar-
antee printed in red at bottom, covering one l0-column Con-
trolled-Key Duplex Model F comptometer No. 132431, already
delivered.

               Invoice is being rendered in accordance with
your Order No. A-1771, of April 21st.

               In accordance with arrangements we have given
you a credit of $30.00 on the bill, covering allowance on one
old machine No. 15694.

               We enclose oiling instruction sheet and would
suggest that your operator carry out the instructions given,
for upon attention to this matter depends very largely the
Comptometer's continued uninterrupted service. Be sure to oil
the Comptometer with the good-quality, light-body, non-gumming
oil that was supplied with the machine.

               Thanking you very sincerely for this order and
trusting you will not hesitate to call on us at any time we
can be of service, we remain

                                     Very truly yours,
                                        FELT & TARRANT MFG. CO.

                                              Treasurer.
1919 Letter
1919 Letter, scan

Dutch 1919 Letter
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
17-11-1919
1-sided letter
212mm × 276mm

This letter uses the same American letterhead paper, even though it was used by the Dutch branch of Felt & Tarrant.

                       Amsterdam, 17 November 1919
Den Weledelgeboren Heer
M. D I R K Z W A G E R Azn.
Distillateur
S C H I E D A M
Noordvest 23.

Mijnheer,

          Aangezien Zaterdagmiddag ons kantoor gesloten is,
trof U alleen onze mechaniciën op kantoor aan.
          Op het kaartje door U achtergelaten vraagt U lever-
tijd en prijs. De prijs van onze Controlled Key Duplex Comp-
tometer, model F is Fl. 687.50, levering direct uit voorraad.
          Wij zijn bereid U de machine ten Uwent te demonstree-
ren zonder eenige kosten of verbintenis Uwerzijds.
          Uwe geëerde berichten gaarne tegenmoetziende,

                                             Hoogachtend,
                                     FELT & TARRANT MFG. CO.
Dutch 1919 Letter
Dutch 1919 Letter, scan

1920 Letter
Herbert E. Robbins Ltd.
01-06-1920
1-sided letter
202mm × 260mm

This is a letter by Herbert Robbins dated 1st June 1920. The letter is stamped by the Great Central Railway, Manchester, who were presumably the recipients. It was accompanied by a promotional leaflet which you can see above.

                           June 1st., 1920.

Dear Sirs,

   Although you are a customer we think you
will be interested in the enclosed leaflet.
We hope your experience of the Comptometer
is similar to that expressed by the volume
or repeat orders which we are constantly
receiving.

May we remind you that we are at your
service and shall be glad to give any assist-
ance that will enable you to get the best
results from your machines.  As you know,
the more of your figure work you do on the
Comptometer the more money you save.

                       Yours faithfully,
                            HERBERT E. ROBBINS LM.


HER/FTP.
1920 Letter from Henry Robbins
1920 Letter from Henry Robbins, scan

1925 Letter
Herbert E. Robbins Ltd.
06-10-1925
1-sided letter
202mm × 253mm

This is standard mail shot letter by the sales manager of Herbert E. Robbins Ltd., dated 6th October 1925.

The Managing Director            6th October. 1925.
City Combing Co.
Thornton Rd.
Bradford.

Dear Sir,

    A large number of Comptometer Adding and Calculating
machines are now employed in businesses similar to your
own, and they are giving extraordinary results, both as
regards direct savings and increased efficiency.

    The economies effected by most firms amount to many
hundreds, and in some cases, to thousands of pounds per
annum.  No change of system is required,the introduction
of the machine involves no disturbance of any kind; while,
if desired, even the capital outlay can be avoided.

    May one of our representatives call and see you?
He would then be able to tell you what other firms are
doing, and could bring a Comptometer with him, so that
you could test it on your own work in any way you choose.

    If our experience with firms similar to yours is any
indication of the economies you might enjoy - and we feel
sure it is - you will realise that the matter is well worth
the attention of one of your principals. Our representative
will content himself with giving you definite information,
and leave you to form your own opinion.

    We enclose a postcard for your convenience, and hope
that you will use it.

                          Yours faithfully,
                            HERBERT E. ROBBINS, LTD.

WJJ/ER.                               Sales Manager.
1925 Letter from Henry Robbins
1925 Letter from Henry Robbins, scan

1929 Letter
Felt & Tarrant Ltd.
07-03-1929
1-sided letter
213mm × 273mm

In 1929 it was no longer Herbert E. Robbins Ltd., but Felt & Tarrant Ltd. who handled the Comptometer sales in the UK.

Parade Chambers,
East Parade,
SHEFFIELD.
Telephone 26052
                                 7th March, 1929.

The Secretary,
Scunthorpe Co-operative Socy. Ltd.,
Scunthorpe,
LINCS.

Dear Sir,

            I thank you for your telegram received
in Sheffield this morning and have pleasure in giving
you the particulars you require as fol1ows:-

        PRICES. Comptometers range in price from
        40 to 92 guineas according to size and model.
        The models usually installed by Co-operative
        societies cost 40 or 69 guineas - the latter
        price machine is that used by London, Manchester
        and Salford, Brightside (Sheffield) and a large
        number of other societies on Climax Check work.

        FREE TRIAL OFFER. Under this offer we supply a
        machine and an operator absolutely free of charge
        and obligation for a period of one or three days
        so that thorough tests can be made of the machine's
        application. Or, if preferable, we hire machines
        for any period up to thirteen weeks on the under-
        standing that if the machine is purchased during or
        at the termination of this period, that all hire
        invoiced or paid is debited off the purchase price
        or credited. Under this method of trial we train
        clerks free of charge and do everything in our
        power to see that the machine , or machines,
        gives the utmost possible return for its installation.

             I hope these brief notes will be of interest
to you and that you will be prepared to investigate our
proposition for your office and work.
1929 Letter
1929 Letter, scan

1930 Letter
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
28-01-1930
2-sided letter
214mm × 277mm

This is a standard mailshot letter. It was sent to Lamson & Goodnow Company, which is a company that makes cutlery, was founded in 1837, and still exists today. The letter is (auto)signed by John C. Nevins, who is listed in the letterhead as the Vice President and General Sales Manager of Felt and Tarrant. The letterhead is almost the same as in 1919, except that it now depicts the model H or J. On the back of the letter are a set of useful calculation tables and conversion factors.

                                           January 28th, 1930.
Lamson Goodnow Comgany,
Shelbourne Falls, Mass.

Gentlemen:-

            Buyers of Adding - Calculating Machines -- the discerning
ones -- are more interested these days in the physical proof of what such
equipment will do than in verbal discussion of the machines themselves.

            Why shouldn't they be?  When it comes to making a decision,
proven facts are always better than anyone's claim, opinion or "guess so."

            The chief concern of the buyer, therefore, should be to find
out which machine will do the most figure work for the least money --
all elements of cost considered.

            When you find:
                 How many columns a machine will add;
                 How many invoice and payroll extensions it will figure;
                 How many cost divisions it will make in a timed test on
your regular work -- not a flash demonstration on a few selected items,
but a real, practical test of an hour, or a day if necessary -- then
you'1l have a positive standard of value by which to gage any machine.

                  If you are interested in getting the most for your money
in figure work, call in a Comptometer man for an interview on ways and
means of doing it.  No cost or obligation involved.  See your phone book,
under Felt & Tarrant, or write to us direct.

                                 Very truly yours,
JCN:SLAB                              Felt & Tarrant MFG. Co.
1930 Letter to Lamson Goodnow
1930 Letter to Lamson Goodnow
1930 Letter to Lamson Goodnow
1930 Letter to Lamson Goodnow

1930 Letter
Felt & Tarrant Mfg. Co.
03-03-1930
1-sided letter
214mm × 277mm

This is a second letter to Lamson & Goodnow Company, this time informing them about the change in address of the Massachussetts offices. The letter is signed by J. B. Richardson, who is the local Felt & Tarrant agent.

                         March 3, 1930


Lamson & Goodnow Mfg. Co.,
Shelburne Falls, Mass.

Gentlemen:

                  New Location of Comptometer

                 Sales, Service and Employment

                          Offices.

            Because of the steady growth of Comptometer sales
in Springfield district, as well as the increasing demand for
Comptometer clerks and trained operators, we have found it
necessary to move into larger quarters.

            The State Building, Room 615, 1200 Main Street,
is the new location.  We feel that our Comptometer School is
as much a part of your firm as ours, and we cordially invite
you to call and see how your future clerks and operators
are trained.

            We want to take this opportunity to thank our cus-
tomers, friends, and operators for their support, which in
reality has made it possible for us to expand our office
twice within three years.

                        Very truly yours,
JBR:PAF
1930 Letter to Lamson Goodnow
1930 Letter to Lamson Goodnow

1935 Letter
Felt & Tarrant (India) Co., Calcutta
31-08-1935
1-sided letter
213mm × 278mm

This is a letter from the Indian branch of the Felt & Tarrant company to the Accountant General of Jhalawar State, dated 31st August 1935.

                                      31st August 1935.

Accountant General,
Jhalawar State,
Rajputana.


Dear Sir,

         We do hope you will find time to look through the
enclosed. The New Comptometer is extraordinary, a great
advance on any calculating machine previously offered.

         The Indian Government is using 350, and the Indian
states 35 Comptometers, with excellent results.

         The New Comptometer gives you absolute accuracy
in all your figure work, it is practically foolproof.  You
can be sure of your figures.  It pays for itself in a few
months.  It saves Rs 2000/- per annum.  It is at least three
times as quick as old-fashioned ways. It keeps your figure
work up-to-date and gives you your statistics promptly.

You ought to know about the New Comptometer. Will
you fill up and return the enclosed postcard, so that we may
give you full information?

                           Yours faithfully,
                        FELT & TARRANT (INDIA) CO.

                                  MANAGER.

PNG:LL.
1935 Letter
1935 Letter, scan

1939 letter
Felt & Tarrant (India) Co., Calcutta
10-08-1939
1 page letter, printed tables on reverse
209mm × 293mm

This is another letter to the Accountant General of Jhalawar State, dated 10th August 1939, with tables on the back. It seems that 5 years after the previous letter, the Accountant General has finally become interested in Comptometers.
The leaflet that accompanied this letter can be seen above.

Accountant General,
Jalawar State,
Brijnagar - Rajputana.


Dear Sir,

     We thank you for your enquiry of 5th August in connection with
the Controlled-Key Comptometer, and have pleasure in giving the
following particulars about the machine, and also to enclose some
literature thereon.

     Briefly stated, the Comptometer is an Adding and Calculating
machine, designed to do every kind of figure work with absolute
accuracy in the shortest possible time.  Its chief advantages are -

     It multiplies 5 to 7 times faster than with pencil and paper
     It makes all additions in roughly one third the usual time
     It subtracts as fast as it adds
     It divides 4 to 5 times faster than ordinary methods
     It prevents errors
     It eliminates the use of paper to a large extent
     It enables work to be kept up to date
     It permits junior clerks to do work otherwise done by more
        highly paid men
     It gives statistics at a time when they are of maximum benefit.

The Comptometer organisation in India is a branch of the world
wide organisation, and is in charge of experts who have been specially
trained in methods of mechanical accounting.  We maintain Schools of
instruction in Calcutta,Bombay,Cawnpore,Delhi,Madras,Rangoon and Colombo,
and use every effort to see that every machine purchased is put into
effective operation. Therefore, although we supply clearly written books
of instruction with every machine sold, we are always ready to train the
clerks of our customers at our Schools, free of charge, or to supply
trained operators.

      We also maintain a Repair Department with a stock of spare parts,
and all machines will be kept in first class repair at all times.  A
guarantee is given with every machine to keep it in good running order
for 12 months from date of purchase, free of charge.
Indian Comptometer letter, front
Indian Comptometer letter, back

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