Texas Instruments SR-52 Handheld Electronic Calculator

This handheld programmable scientific electronic calculator has a black plastic case and forty-five small rectangular plastic keys arranged in nine rows. In addition to ten digit keys, a decimal point key, and a change sign key (all white), the calculator has a total key, four arithmetic function keys, a clear key, a clear entry key, and a "2nd" key (all gold). The remaining keys are brown. Pushing the “2nd” key allows most of the keys to serve a “dual function,” which is given in text above the keys.

The space for programming cards is just above the keyboard. A mark just above this reads: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SR-52. Behind it are an R/D (radians/degrees) and an on/off switch. Behind this is an LED display that shows ten positive or negative digits of the result as well as powers of ten from -99 to +99.

The power supply plugs into the calculator along the back edge. A mark on it reads: MODEL AC 9130A.

A sticker on the back of the calculator reads in part: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS (/) SR-52 (/) Serial No. (/) SR-52 6827133. It also reads in part: ASSEMBLED IN USA. Below the sticker is a compartment that holds three batteries. A sticker for it reads in part: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS BATTERY PACK BP-1. Removing the battery pack reveals two chips. The larger has text that reads: TMC0501NL (/) EP 7650. The small one has the mark: TMC 0595 NL (/) DP7644. A mark on the back of the calculator near the bottom reads: LTA1377.

The calculator also has a black zippered case with a carrying loop and a belt clip.

Also included with the object are four black plastic folders that hold magnetic cards with programs on them, a larger folder of this sort with a cleaning card, and a tablet of preprinted forms for writing programs. In addition there are seven documents relating to the operation of the calculator. These include the spiral-bound Owner's Manual and Operating Guide, both copyrighted in 1975. In addition there are three spiral-bound books with program listings for the calculator. The first, copyrighted in 1975, has title Program Manual BA1 Basic Library. The second, copyrighted in 1976, has title Program Manual EE1 Electrical Engineering Library. The third, also copyrighted in 1976, has title Program Manual F11 Finance Library. All of these books are stamped on the inside with the name of the donor. The name also is stamped on two paperback books from 1976, one with title Program Manual Aviation Library and the other called Programming Workbook.

All of these materials are stored in a cardboard box that shows the calculator on the cover.

Compare 2010.3093.01 and 1987.0487.297.

Ball & Flamm give a 1976 price of $229.

Reference:

Guy Ball and Bruce Flamm, The Complete Collector’s Guide to Pocket Calculators, Tustin, CA: Wilson/Barnett, 1997, p. 154.

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