The Museum of HP Calculators The Museum of HP Calculators
This page provides information primarily of interest to HP calculator collectors.
Topics are:
Difficulty Of Obtaining Various Models (And Prices)
Series Names
Code Names
Variations, Special Models and Bugs
Battery Packs & Chargers
Decoding Serial Numbers
Earliest Serial Numbers (so far)
Self Tests
How To Build A Limited Collection
Where To Find Them
How To Buy Them (Remotely)
Where To Get Supplies
The following guide groups calculators into broad categories based on the difficulty of obtaining. (This is mostly a matter of how hard they are to find, but more difficult models tend to cost more especially if purchased from a collector or dealer.) The difficulty ratings are for working models in extra fine to new condition. These are all relative ratings. Even an "easy" model requires some effort.
By popular demand, price ranges recently observed have been added. Take these prices with a grain of salt however as some of them are based on a single sample and all of them are based on less than ten. These prices are for public sales between collectors typically advertised on the Internet. All prices are for calculators described as being in at least "very good" condition and working.
Please note that if a price isn't listed here, then I don't know it. I don't try to track prices of slide rules and other brands of calculators.
These price ranges do not include the bargains you can find in flea markets, government and business liquidation sales or by trolling regional for sale groups. Cheap HPs can be found if you're willing to spend the time. Generally, calculators at the high end of the price ranges were sold via "best offer" advertisements on the net or in online auctions such as eBay.
2001 Update: Prices on eBay continue to escalate while Cheap HPs can still be found (but it is getting more difficult.) Two recent debates over eBay pricing on the HP forum have involved large eBay dealers posting under aliases. The (aliased) dealers claimed that the eBay prices are the only "real" prices because that's what people will pay.
The US stock crash of 1929 is attributed to people paying "the going price" for the stocks of good companies without regard to fundamental value. 1999 was similar but the US stock market has been much more resilient (at least so far.) While the most absurdly priced issues dropped in 2000, the price of the market overall as of mid-2001 is still very high based on historical fundamentals.
Of course, placing a fundamental value on an old calculator is much harder. Have on-line auctions lead to a "new era" of HP calculator collecting or is this just the latest collectable to go through a speculative bubble? If the latter, will the landing be hard or soft? Only time will tell.
Price range decoder:
| Model | Difficulty | Price Range (see above) |
| HP-01 (1) | Extra Difficult! | $350, $1100, $1325, $2000, $3044 |
| HP-01 (incomplete) | Very Difficult | $625, $760, $1848 |
| HP-10 | Very Difficult | $250, $305, $400 |
| HP-10C (2) | Very Difficult | $80, $102-$261, $400 |
| HP-11C | Easy | $46, $77, 90-$117, $152, $157, $212 |
| HP-14B | Easy | |
| HP-15C | Moderate | $50, $96-$199, $247, $306(6) $323(6), $329, 455(6) |
| HP-16C | Moderate | $25(8), $30, $71-$260, $280, $300, $301, $480(6), $842(8) |
| HP-17B | Easy | $26-$38 |
| HP-18C | Moderate | $20, $50, $60 |
| HP-19B | Easy | |
| HP-19C | Difficult | $100-$410 |
| HP-21 | Easy | $16-$110 |
| HP-21S | Easy | |
| HP-22 | A Bit Difficult | $50-$162 |
| HP-22S | Fairly Easy | $50, $75, $125 |
| HP-25 | Easy | $35-$140, $202 |
| HP-25C | Moderate | $75 |
| HP-27 | Difficult | $70-$90, $270, $355 |
| HP-27S | Moderate | $32, $86, $101, $150 |
| HP-28C | Easy | $35-$50, $128 |
| HP-28S | Easy | $45-$66, $114 |
| HP-29C | Moderate | $143-$232, $365, $475 |
| HP-31E (2) | Difficult | $50-$128 |
| HP-32E | Easy | $25-$45, $113, $155 |
| HP-32S | Easy | $30, $40, $75-$115 |
| HP-33E | Easy | $30-$68, $91 |
| HP-33C | Fairly Easy | $50-$186 |
| HP-34C | Easy | $46-$150, $177, $202, $205 |
| HP-35 (most types) | Fairly Easy | $71-$186 |
| HP-35 (all legends on keys) | Moderate | $100 |
| HP-35 (red dot) (7) | Very Difficult | $300, $597, $600, $601, $756 |
| HP-37E | Easy | $40, $60 |
| HP-38C | Moderate | $117 |
| HP-38E | Easy | $41, $99 |
| HP-41C (3) | Easy | $40-$90 |
| HP-41C (option 001/blank) | A Bit Difficult | $101-112, $200 |
| HP-41CV (3) | Easy | $65-$91, $125, $135 |
| HP-41CX (3) | Fairly Easy | $85-$127, $180, $200, $230, $280 |
| HP-42S (3) | Fairly Easy | $95-$202, $260, $400 |
| HP-45 | Fairly Easy | $50, 63-$123, $180, $346(6) |
| HP-46 | Very Difficult | $100, $143, $167, $197-$250, $450 |
| HP-48S | Easy | $35, $57 |
| HP-48SX | Easy | $50-$80 |
| HP-55 | A Bit Difficult | $12, $75-$110, $127, $203, $228 |
| HP-65 | Difficult | $96-$352, $450, $845, $1,045 |
| HP-67 | Easy | $65, $92-$225, $315, $352, $450 |
| HP-70 | Very Difficult | $285, $447 |
| HP-71B | Easy | $35-$110 |
| HP-75C (5) | Fairly Easy | $3-$50, $100 |
| HP-75D (5) | Fairly Easy | $3-$35, $130 |
| HP-80 | A Bit Difficult | $25, $97-$160, $204, $238, $385 |
| HP-81 | Very Difficult | $225 |
| HP-83 | Moderate | $90 |
| HP-85 | Fairly Easy | $53, $100 |
| HP-86 | Fairly Easy | |
| HP-87 | Moderate | $60 |
| HP-91 | A Bit Difficult | $200, $289 |
| HP-92 | Difficult | $275 |
| HP-94 (4) | Extra Difficult | $105, $250, $300, $325, $350, $370 |
| HP-95C | Most Difficult | |
| HP-97 | Fairly Easy | $76-$202, $227 |
| HP-97S | Very Difficult | $200, $275, $300 |
| HP-9100 | Very Difficult | $750, $800, $1225, $1700 |
| HP-9805 | Extra Difficult | $150, $360, $413 |
| HP-9810 | Difficult | $184, $500 |
| HP-9815 | A Bit Difficult | $100, $150, $256 |
| HP-9820 | Difficult | $200, $300 |
| HP-9825 | Moderate | $30, $67, $150 |
| HP-9830 | Difficult | $100, $270, $280 |
Notes:
(1) The HP-01 is not really as rare as most other Extremely Difficult and even some Very Difficult models but everyone knows it's a great collectible so it's very hard to obtain. The "incomplete" entry refers to a sample missing, any of the following: pen stylus, clasp stylus. (Several less-than-excellent samples have sold recently in the $300-$800 range.)
(2) Some low-end models like the HP-10C and HP-31E are hard to find as they tend to get thrown away. The good news that you can sometimes get them for throw-away prices. The $400 HP-10C was described by the seller as "new in the box".
(3) HP-41s were very popular and therefore very common. However, their popularity persists among some users so don't be surprised if some owners refuse to sell at any price. The recently discontinued HP-42S also has fans that will pay very high prices. Some HP-41C accessory prices that have been seen on eBay:
(4) If you really want to impress your collecting friends, collect one each of the HP-94D, HP-94E, and HP-94F.
(5) Around 2000, HP-75C and D prices were depressed by recent large-scale sales by several companies and government agencies. (The $3 price required the purchase of at least 25 units. Quantity 1 pricing usually starts at $20.) The high-priced samples were described as "new in the box".
(6) Described as Mint In Box and complete.
(7) The red dot shows through a hole to the right of the power switch. The dot does not light up.
(8) The $842 price (ebay) and the $25 price (offline sale) for an HP-16C were reported to the museum in the same week in 2002.
Difficulty ratings are based on the experiences of the curator and a few other collectors. Your mileage may vary.
Many beginning collectors are confused by series names that are often used when discussing HP calculators. These names are HP's own code-names for the product lines (though the history of the "classic" name is unsure.)
Many HP calculators had internal code names during their development. The following code names are known:
HP-01—Cricket
HP-10—KISS
HP-14B—Midas
HP-17B—Trader
HP-18C—Champion
HP-19B—Tycoon
HP-19C—Clyde
HP-21—Pumpkin
HP-22—Turnip
HP-22S—Plato
HP-25—Squash
HP-25C—Squish
HP-27—Salad
HP-27S—Mentor
HP-28C—Paladin
HP-28S—Orlando
HP-29C—Bonnie
HP-31E—Ginger
HP-32E—Thyme
HP-32S—Leonardo
HP-32SII—Nardo
HP-33C—Sage C
HP-33E—Sage
HP-34C—Basil
HP-37E—Parsley
HP-38C—Chive C
HP-38E—Chive
HP-38G—Elsie
HP-41C—Coconut
HP-41CV—Silverbird
HP-41CX—Honeynut
41C-001—Blanknut
HP-42S—Davinci
HP-45—Wizard
HP-48G—Alcuin
HP-48GX—Hammer
HP-48S—Shorty
HP-48SX—Charlemagne
HP-49G—Copernicus or V'ger
HP-55—Merlin
HP-65—Superstar
HP-67—Hawkeye
HP-70—Scrooge
HP-71B—Titan
HP-75C—Kangaroo
HP-75D—Merlin
HP-83—Virgo
HP-85—Capricorn
HP-87—Gemini
HP-91—Felix
HP-92—Bobcat
HP-97—Kittyhawk
HP-97S—Ricochet
Xpander—Endeavor
Some code names that didn't make it to production:
Some HP calculators had manufacturing variations. This page lists relatively obvious changes. Some details like the exact plastic and trim colors, and minor ROM revisions are not listed. This page also doesn't list the many singular oddities that collectors have found such as HP-25s that have continuous memory etc. Most of these are probably the result of swaps during repairs.
Some HP calculators made for the European market had the commas and dots reversed as compared to their American counterparts. The 20 series used two different displays with the decimals being either square or triangular. The triangular decimals could be interpreted as either dots or commas and so were sold in both the US and Europe. The 30 series models had a jumper change between European and U.S. comma/point formats. (Many later models can be switched by the user.)
Serial numbers on classic models were printed on stickers applied between the feet or in the battery compartment. 20 series (and HP-10 and 19C) serial numbers were molded/heat stamped into the plastic on the bottom or printed on stickers in the battery compartment. 10C series serial numbers were placed in the same general area but their exact position varies noticeably.
There have been a number of calculators made to celebrate certain anniversaries. The HP-14B and HP-32S were made with gold anniversary logos to celebrate HP's 50th anniversary. Some recent anniversary models are shown in the photo gallery.
The power/patent labels on most Classic calculators are in mostly uppercase with the power consumption stated as 500mW (500 milliwatts). Some are completely uppercase with the power consumption stated as 500MW. Technically that's 500 megawatts but many power consumption labels are 100% caps so this is generally understood to still mean milliwatts.
Early 9810s had a single LED for unit for each digit. Later models used the same five-digit LED elements found in the classic calculators.
The HP-35 underwent many major physical revisions as shown in the HP-35 exhibit.
The early HP-35s had a major ROM bug that caused: 2.02 ln ex to display a result of 2. There was also a bug in the trigonometric functions for certain inputs. Some examples were:
| Function | Buggy | Correct | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARC SIN 0.0002 | 5.729577893 x 10E-3 | 0.01145916 | ||
| ARC COS 0.0002 | 89.99427042 | 89.98854 | ||
| ARC TAN 0.0002 | 5.729577893 x 10E-3 | 0.01145916 | ||
| ARC TAN 1.00020002 | 45 | 45.00573 |
These bugs were quickly fixed and HP recalled early units for an upgrade.
Like the HP-35, early HP-80s were labeled "Hewlett Packard" with no model number. "80" was added to later models. On early versions, the trim strip above the power switch was a piece of metal. Later versions went back to the vacuum-deposited trim used in other classic models. Like the HP-35 and HP-45, early versions had "On" and "Off" painted in white and later versions were molded.
The HP-45 can be found with "On" and "Off" molded or painted on. Like the HP-80, early versions had a metal strip above the power switch to avoid wear on the silver trim.
On later HP-45s the direction of STO - r and STO ÷ r was reversed. The manuals were also updated but some of the earliest model to be shipped with the later semantic came with a separate update page for the early manual.
Operation |
Original meaning |
Later Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| STO - r | r = x - r | r = r - x |
| STO ÷ r | r = x ÷ r | r = r ÷ x |
HP-9825As can be found with either low profile snap keys or more conventional taller keys.
Some HP-25s have several bugs including polar/rectangular conversion errors for angles within +/- 0.000573° of 180° . Also when the last operation caused data in a certain range to be stored in a register and the calculator was at step 00, switching to Program mode would cause a blank display and switching back to Run would display Error.
Earlier HP-67 and HP-97s had bugs affecting SIN-1, COS-1, and TAN-1 functions. For these functions Last X was not saved when X was 0 or -1. A few specific arguments produced errors such as:
| Function | Buggy | Correct | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIN-1 0.000003000 | 1.730332541E-4 | 1.718873385E-4 | ||
| SIN-1 0.000004000 | 2.349126960E-4 | 2.291831181E-4 | ||
| SIN-1 0.000005000 | 2.979380535E-4 | 2.864788976E-4 |
(The arguments must be exact to produce the errors.)
HP-01s in both gold and stainless steel can be found with bronze or black-colored buttons as shown in this comparison photo (27K) which shows a 1978 version on the left and a 1977 version on the right. See the HP-01 page for both versions in stainless steel. Earlier bracelets had links whose edges were polished to a mirror finish whereas later versions were brushed. Later versions added the legends "U.S. & Foreign Components" to the case back and "or plaque galvanique 10" to the bracelet clasp. Later gold versions omitted the gold plating from inside the clasp.
These calculators can be found with or without a security cable attachment bracket. The bracket is metal and pivots out from the back right corner.
On some versions, the keypad was metallic and had a smooth finish with metallic gold or silver trim. On other versions the keypad was plastic and the trim was light grey or light brown. The texture of the plastic keypads ranged from smooth to textured/matte.
The 30 series also had two very different construction techniques.
Early HP-41Cs used the same key shape used in the 20 and 30 series. Later HP-41Cs had lower keys with a gentler slope for the front (alpha) label. The exact colors, feel of the keyboard, and texture of the keypad vary somewhat over the calculator's long run. Later "Halfnut" versions had redesigned and simplified electronics. All HP-41s can be found in Halfnut versions although CVs and CXs are much more common than Cs.
Early HP-41Cs had gold-plated ball-bearings on the side of the battery compartment to allow for a future AC adaptor that was never produced. When HP introduced the rechargeable battery pack with its own charger connector, the ball bearings were omitted from the calculators
Early HP-41Cs had a number of bugs including not checking STO IND and RCL IND for proper range which allowed accessing system registers. The IND modifier also allowed out-of-range augments for flag operations. Early models also calculated SIN incorrectly for small angles and the CLP function would only clear up to 1089 lines.
The HP-41C Option 001 ("Blanknut") can be found with or without a piece of plastic that covers the USER and PRGM keys. Most are HP-41CVs internally but some are HP-41CXs. Some, but not all, Option 001s have halfnut electronics. Some Option 001 Models don't have serial numbers.
Versions can be found with the HP logo/model number in either highly reflective glossy silver or a matte-finished silver. Later models had painted rather than molded key legends.
Late versions of the HP-11C, 15C and 16C were made with HP-12C keys that were either (re)painted or were made using worn molds for other keys. Some HP-16Cs had HP-12C keys that were first repainted to be HP-15C keys and then repainted to be HP-16C keys, or the final mold was used for three different keys. The picture below shows an HP-16C "F" key over an HP-12C "CHS" key. Some HP-12Cs also had keys that were repainted/reused.
This appearance could be the result of repainting or of using the final mold for the CHS key for the final step in double-shot molding the F key. Reusing the mold would create the same appearance since the step of pressing the already-molded symbol into the final mold many times would create wear in the mold (even though it is much harder than plastic). (Re)painting seems to be the dominant theory among collectors (probably due to being first), but the curator believes that reuse of molds is more likely since these keys are clearly double-shot molded and repainting would have required an entirely different process to be applied to already double-shot molded keys. (Painting would also reduce their durability.) However, at this time, no one has been willing to cut one of these keys apart to see how they were created.
On earlier versions the keyboard and keypad were somewhat glossy, but they were mat with somewhat different printing on the later versions. Also, there are several variations on the printing on the back and in the serial number placement.
Early HP-11Cs had a bug in which if you entered a number in the form 0.0xxx, backspaced over all the digits and then pressed ENTER, 1.00 was entered rather than 0.00. HP allowed users of buggy calculators to swap for fixed units.
Early 10C series units had flat metal springs and clear flexible plastic on both sides of the battery compartment. Later units had a much larger coiled spring with the plastic only on left side. The right side had a fixed gold-plated pin.
The HP-12C has undergone numerous small modifications in its long run.
Some versions have the display set deep and others are nearly flush with the top of the calculator. The right contact in the battery compartment may be relatively short and folded or longer and formed in an arc. Singapore versions have a mat serial number area - USA versions are glossy.
Get them while you can! Supplies are dwindling. If you must repair a pack, be careful. You can injure yourself or damage your calculator.
There are several companies that can rebuild battery packs for you or you can make your own from scratch.
Warning! Most models can be damaged if run from the charger without good batteries installed. Only the manuals for the HP 35 and 45 models say that it's OK to run without batteries, but many collectors feel that even those should have batteries installed for maximum protection and long life.
Most modern HPs use AAA, N, or LR44/SR44-type batteries. The later can be confusing because battery numbers vary by company. Some LR44/SR-44 equivalents include:
Compatible cells can be found in both alkaline and silver-oxide. The silver-oxides tend to last much longer on the shelf and in the calculator. (For example: LR44, A76 , EPX76 are alkaline but SR44, 357 and G13 are silver-oxide. Check the package to be sure.) Any photo, electronics or jewelry shop should be able to help you.
Numbers are in the format YYWWC##### where
Example: The museum's HP-94F is serial number 2622J00025 indicating that it is the 25th unit made in Japan in the 22nd week of 1986.
The correspondence of serial numbers to dates is only approximate. In some cases, they may be better indicators of the date of manufacture of the case or label rather than the entire calculator. With some desktop models, it appears that the date code was changed only when there were manufacturing changes. On the other hand, different versions of the HP-35 can be found with the same date code. (The museum has examples of type 3 and 4 with date code 1346 and some of the type 4s have lower sequence numbers than the type 3s!)
An HP employee wrote to say that date codes at HP were originally changed for engineering /design changes only. This system worked well for a test equipment company. However, calculators sold in higher volumes than previous HP products, which caused the serial numbers to run out. Because of this, HP started changing date codes more frequently. Exactly when this change occurred and whether all manufacturing lines used the same procedure is still unknown.
Sometimes prototypes and test models fall into collectors' hands with no serial numbers or serial numbers in another format. On HP 9825Bs, YY appears to be the number of years since 1970.
Since 1996, some serial numbers have been in the form CCYWW##### where
These are the earliest date codes recorded so far for the various models. The date code is the first (left-most) four digits or first 5 characters for some post '96 models. Since this list was based on just a few hundred samples, you may have an earlier date code. If so, please send it to the museum for inclusion here. Please remember that it is the first (left-most) digits that are listed below, not the right-most. The right-most digits are simply a sequence number that is only guaranteed unique for a specific date code. Note that some models make it easy for serial numbers to be swapped so these numbers must be regarded with some suspicion.
HP-01—1706
HP-10—1701
HP-10B—2846
HP-10C—2116
HP-11C—2033
HP-12C—2030
HP-14B—2814
HP-15C—2230
HP-16C—2221
HP-17B—2747
HP-17BII—3004
HP-18C—2631
HP-19B—2801
HP-19BII—3006
HP-19C—1707
HP-20S—2831
HP-21—1503
HP-21S—2917
HP-22—1510
HP-22S—2820
HP-25—1508
HP-25C—1606
HP-27—1602
HP-27S—2743
HP-28C—2611
HP-28S—2741
HP-29C—1703
HP-31E—1813
HP-32E—1826
HP-32S—2809
HP-32SII—3103
HP-33C—1945
HP-33E—1813
HP-34C—1928
HP-35 T1—1143
HP-35 T2—1143
HP-35 T3—1302
HP-35 T4—1346*
HP-37E—1850
HP-38C—1951
HP-38E—1826
HP-38G—3524
HP-41C—1926
HP-41CV—1940**
HP-41CX—2331
HP-42S—2832
HP-45—1301
HP-46—1314
HP-48G—3303*5
HP-48GX—3303*5
HP-48S—3101
HP-48SX—2948*6
HP-55—1447
HP-65—1333
HP-67—1609
HP-70—1429
HP-71B—2401
HP-75C—2238
HP-75D—2412
HP-80—1247
HP-81—1332
HP-85—1948
HP-86A—2120
HP-86B—2449
HP-87—2215
HP-87XM—2243
HP-91—1605
HP-92—1708
HP-94D—2633***
HP-94E—2622
HP-94F—2622
HP-95C—Pilot #1
HP-97—1610
HP-97S—1803
HP-110—2414
HP-9100B—938
HP-9805—1304
HP-9810—1127
HP-9815—1529
HP-9820—1144
HP-9825A—1622
HP-9825B—1014*4
HP-9830—1144
Notes:
| * | See Variations and Special Models above or the HP-35 exhibit for HP-35 types. One Type 4 with a 1143 code exists but this was probably a serial number swap. Another Type 4 has been found with a date code of 1249 but its back has clearly been removed so it may be another swap. |
| ** | This serial number indicates a date more than 18 months before the official CV introduction so it may be a repaired calculator using a back from an HP-41C. ~2040 would be a more conservative estimate for an all-original CV. Earliest Halfnut version found: 2511. |
| *** | The earliest HP-94D recorded starts with 9990 but that's a prototype code. |
| *4 | HP-9825B's used a different numbering system. |
| *5 | Also marked "PROTO". (3321 is the lowest seen non "PROTO" date code.) |
| *6 | For many years, our lowest 48SX was 3001, but then one turned up with 2948. However it has some oddities: case has been opened (or maybe never even closed), and the ROM is in a DIP package with a hand-written label. This could be a development unit. |
For Self Test Information, browse to the calculator of your choice and then go to its features page and look in the "notes" section. (The features page is linked near the bottom of each main calculator page.)
Many collectors want advice on how to build a collection that is interesting/proper/important without simply buying every model ever made. Each person must really make their own choice on what to collect but here are a few ideas for your consideration:
This is for the collector more interested in the packaging and underlying technology of calculators than the exact function set. You would start with the HP 9100 with its core memory, CRT, discrete circuitry and true tank-like construction, followed by one of the HP 9810/20/30 (chips & LEDs), followed by one of the 35/45/65/55/70/80/67, one of the 20 series, one of the 90 series etc...
Simply start from the beginning and work forward to the point of your choice. Many collectors find the earlier models more interesting because some later models are repackaging of earlier functionality. Some collectors avoid LCD models since they are newer and (in theory) have a more limited life.
Some collect only the desktops because they're the "real machines"/"Big Iron"/etc., because so many features appeared there first or because it's a thrill to own a collection of machines that cost thousands of dollars each when they were new. On the other hand, some collect only handhelds because they're more obtainable, take less room to store or were meant for individuals rather than organizations. There are some crossover products, so to be complete both handheld-only and desktop-only collections should include the HP-46, HP-81 and HP-97S. (The HP-94 is purely a handheld even though its software was developed on another computer.) Note too, that most collectors consider the 90 series to be handhelds even though they're rarely used that way.
If you want to collect just the most "significant" models, here are some you should have: HP 9100A (first of all, first programmable, first card reader, first multi-line display, first expandable... etc. etc.), HP 9810 (first chips, first option ROMs, first LEDs and more), HP 9820 (first algebraic - you can skip if you dread "the other system"), HP-35 (first handheld), HP-80 (first business, the beginning of solvers), HP-81 (first use of '.' to address beyond 10 registers), HP-65 (first programmable, first pocket calculator with mass storage, etc.), HP-9825 (first "live keyboard", first true HPL), HP-25C (first continuous memory), HP-27 (business, stat, science in one small package) HP-10 (HP's only adding machine), HP-01 (not just HP's only watch - time and dates as data types), HP-34C (integration/solver), HP-41C (alphanumeric, expansion and I/O now in a handheld), HP-16C (the only one for computer scientists), HP-75C (first portable with BASIC), HP-94 (first backlit LCD, first built-in serial port, first x86 compatible), HP-28C/S (first RPL and first directories on the HP-28S), and HP-48SX expandable RPL, HP-32SII (fractions), HP-95LX (first pocket PC compatible).
Prices can vary by factors of more than 100 from the cheap to ultra expensive end of the scales. One dealer claims to make nearly $30,000 per month reselling items on eBay.
In 1997, the museum picked up extra copies of the relatively rare HP-10C, 31E, 65, 70 and 94D (and several common models) all in excellent or better condition and all for $20 or less. A recent local sale had over a hundred HP-41C modules and options priced at "4 for a dollar". The recently added Friden 132 was picked up for free two weeks after one like it sold for several hundred dollars on eBay. Calculator collecting can still be a low-budget hobby. The trick is to find dealers who haven't seen eBay yet. They're still plentiful but the word is spreading fast so hurry!
In 1999, one collector reported buying (over a 6 month period) several HP 41's, an HP-38C, 37E, 35, 45, a complete boxed HP-97 and, most recently, an HP-91 with manual. All were purchased at thrift stores for under $10. In 1998, he purchased an HP-70 with manual and multiple accessory books for $2.99. Legwork can still pay off.
In 1999 EduCalc's HP-41, HP-71, and HP-75 stock was being cleared out by Interfab. The items were so reasonably priced that many of them were immediately resold on eBay for 5-20 times as much.
In 2001 a collector in Switzerland picked up an HP 9100B from a Swiss military institute. The institute had advertised the machine since 1999 and received many emails expressing interest but no one was willing to arrange the transportation. The collector picked it up. The price: Free. This is a technique that the curator has used frequently. Many government agencies and businesses simply won't deal with shipping and there are more within driving range than many people realize. Many of them don't advertise in obvious places. Sometimes the best way to find them is to call the numbers in the phone book and ask.
During the same week of 2002 an offline sale of an HP-16C was reported at $25, and an Ebay auction finished at $842. (The latter included the box.) Another collector found an HP-67 and an HP-97 for one dollar at a local surplus store. Both had gummy card reader wheels, but were in great shape otherwise.
Another collector reported: "2nd hand/thrift stores work much better than eBay ... I picked up a 11C (in crumbling case, with only a few scratches) for $1.50 about a month ago, and yesterday, I snagged a 16C (mint in case) for $3."
In 2003 a European collector reported off-line purchases of a near perfect and nearly complete HP-67 for $65 and a similar condition HP-25 for $50.
In 2004 a European collector reported off-line purchase of a perfect HP-42S with all accessories for $50.
In 2005 a collector in Idaho found a working HP-35 (with early bugs) in excellent condition at a local thrift store. It had no scratches or engraving and was priced at $1.50.
In 2006 a user in Florida found a working HP-11C at a relative's garage sale for 5 cents.
In 2007 a collector in North Carolina found a working HP-41CX, with box, manuals, and a Stock Forecasting module at a Habitat for Humanity junk store for $1.
It's easiest to buy a calculator locally where you can check it over first. If you are buying at a distance, here are some guidelines.
Yes, that's a lot of questions but in any collectibles field, its the more advanced collectors who ask the most questions and end up with the best samples. Of course, you'll rarely get positive answers to all the questions above.
For older manuals or copies, try the above or try HP on the web or at: (800) 227-8164.
In addition, HP has graciously permitted the museum to make and sell scans of old manuals.
Rechargeable battery packs are becoming difficult to find. There are several companies that can rebuild battery packs for you or you can make your own from scratch.
For thermal paper, try the PM Company. On their website, enter a calculator like HP-97 and Search by Machine.
For other items, please read or post a message in the Museum Classified Ads or in comp.sys.handhelds.
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