Calculator Sacrilege..

[uhmgawa]

Man. I though I'd received some punishable offences from
EEEBay curators. But this casualty leaves my stories far
behind on the voyager agony scale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280589007986

I can't imagine exactly what type of misfortune a 15c
could meet to render it in that condition.

My real question is HOW the 15c logo can not only be
still present on the device but arguably in better
shape than the entire balance of the exterior. Well
assuming it is the original, which I'm inclined to as
it doesn't appear that fella was the recipient of
abundant love throughout its life.

Edited: 13 Nov 2010, 3:43 p.m.

[Frank Boehm (Germany)]

This is a typical victim of the well-known killer H20. Increased humidity will lead to corrosion of the aluminium parts (front / back). The logo is made out of chrome-plated plastic, so it will not suffer from humidity.

[uhmgawa]

Sorry, I should have been clearer. This was somewhat
tongue-in-cheek.

Quote:

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This is a typical victim of the well-known killer H20.

---

I suspected water may have been a catalyst, but the corrosion
due primarily to some type of salt attack. Not that I'd
dispute it being possible. But I've never seen wear of that
degree due to water/humidity alone.

Quote:

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The logo is made out of chrome-plated plastic..

---

Voyager logos tend to be early cosmetic casualties, and given the
ABS case mechanical wear, the logo condition struck me as a tad
unusual.

[Thomas Chrapkiewicz]

...and it appears that it still functions!!!

[Wanderley Navarro]

I couldn't resist. The uniqueness of its appearence will do an interesting contrast among the 2 NIB and 3 MINT 15Cs that I have in the collection.

Edited: 13 Nov 2010, 6:36 p.m.

[Gerson W. Barbosa]

Parabéns! (Congratulations!)

[Wanderley Navarro]

Obrigado. (Thanks)

[uhmgawa]

Quote:

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I couldn't resist. The uniqueness of its appearence will do an interesting contrast among the 2 NIB and 3 MINT 15Cs that I have in the collection.

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Upon receipt, please share a high resolution digicam or scan
jpeg with the class. This is excellent material for a nerd
poster if I could just puzzle out an appropriate caption.

Edited: 13 Nov 2010, 7:38 p.m.

[Wanderley Navarro]

Will do for sure. One pic alone for your poster and another side by side with a new one.

[Egan Ford]

Given that the case looks unused, I'd also have to guess that it was never stored in its case.

[Paul Dale]

A perfect candidate for a total restoration :-)

- Pauli

[Wanderley Navarro]

Well... not exactly... IMHO

I have a somewhat different view...

Imagine a museum - that I don't have (yet) - full of mint & near mint HP calculators... in front of wich one will people - with no doubt - stop and make some amazed comments?

[Hal Bitton in Boise]

Even in that condition it went for $79. Proof positive of the high regard the 15C commands.

[uhmgawa]

Quote:

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Even in that condition it went for $79. Proof positive of the high regard the 15C commands.

---

In general I believe the price vs. condition curve for a 15c
to be quite nonlinear yet somewhat predictable at the low end.
It seems really beat 15c units auction at an incomprehensible
price relative to their condition, I'd hazard because bidders
think they've found a repairable bargain, however the bidding
escalates carrying them away.

Although no reflection intended to the unit/buyer here as this
wasn't an auction.