8x9x16 TATE'S PATENT ARITHMOMETER by C. & E. LAYTON
S09-011. English, late 1880s, signed 'TATE'S PATENT ARITHMOMETER, C. & E. LAYTON, LONDON." This type of calculating machine was originally designed and introduced in 1820 by Chevalier Chas X Thomas de Colmar. It was the first multiplication machine to be made commercially for general sale. In 1883, S. Tate was the first in England to manufacture Thomas de Colmar-type arithmometers. His patents were taken over by C. & E. Layton, who incorporated further patented improvements. Tate's machines are generally considered to be the heaviest duty and best made of all of the late 19th century arithmometers. They were primarily manufactured for use by the insurance industry. The 15 1/2" x 3 5/8" top plate is made of 1/8" thick brass plate and the 22" x 2 1/2" slide is made of 5/16" thick brass plate. It is mounted in a 23 3/4" x 7 5/8" x 6 3/8" very thick hand dovetailed mahogany case, with brass corner banding for additional reinforcement. The machine is in very good overall condition, with most of its original lacquer finish on the face. It is fully functional, with a capacity of 8 x 9 x 16 figures, and still works quite smoothly The beautiful mahogany case is also in very good overall condition. Tate's Patent Arithmometers are quite uncommon in collections today as not a large number of these fine machines were ever made, and very few have survived in working condition. The last recorded auction sale was in 1991 at the Breker Auction in Germany. See pages 102-104 in E.M. Horsburg's "Handbook of the Napier Tercentenary Celebration or Modern Instruments and Methods of Calculation" for an extensive discussion of Layton's patented improvements to Tate's original arithmometer.
