WANTED: Friden RBT (or RSC, RSQ, RSR)

[Stefan Lyon]

(Photo courtesy of a Twitter user)

Hello everyone!

I'm a Friden enthusiast, researcher and restorer. I am looking for an "R" series calculator, particularly an "RBT" model. 

The "R" series were the final generation of Friden's rotary calculating machine, and were manufactured and sold between 1966-1968, when Friden's desktop rotaries disappear from advertisements and business periodicals entirely.

The RBT "Back Transfer" was the cheapest of the four "R" series models, selling for $975, compared to the $995, $1,025 and $1,195 of the RSC, RSQ and RSR, respectively.

If you're willing to sell one, or know of the whereabouts of an RBT or other "R" series, I'd be so thankful to hear from you!

I am also generally trying to compiling research and artifacts related to Friden's decision to develop and market the SVE/SVJ and these replacement "R" line calculators. They seem to have a troubled history, distinguished by defective driveshafts, but outside of a few anecdotes, there is little I can find on them. I would absolutely love to get any testimonials on this period in Friden history from anyone familiar!

Thanks,

Stefan

(Clipping from Administrative Management, October 1967)