Machine Methods of Accounting. A Manual of the Basic Principles of Operation and Use of International Electronic Bookkeeping and Accounting Machines [Comprehensive Compendium of IBM Machine Accounting in the 1930s]

New York: IBM, 1936. First Edition Revised/With Additions. Hardcover. Very Good+. First Edition Revised/With Additions. Hardcover. 24 separately paginated pamphlets plus [8]pp. preliminaries *and* including the 1942 pamphlet 19A 'Automatic Reproduction Punch / Type 513' [not indicated on 24 pamphlet list], all bound together as provided to the customer. This copy issued to the Amicable Life Insurance Company (founded in Waco, TX. 1910). 1936 copyright for all pamphlets except 20A (1940) and 19A (1942) Includes numerous illustrations and diagrams.
This book was one of the "key publications from IBM". [Cortada, Before the Computer, 307]
"Primarily, this book was written to provide a single volume from which employees of International Business Machines Corporation may thoroughly familiarize themselves with the complete list of bookkeeping and accounting machines manufactured by their Company, and with the operation of such machines of furnishing figure-facts automatically" [from preliminaries, p [6]]
The first section, 14 pages, is devoted to the history of IBM, and sections 2 through 8 provide background on principles, the punch card, codes, organization, supervision, training, and controls. The remaining sections illustrate and explain numerous machines and their operation. Originally issued with 23 sections; this version was updated in 1940 and 1942 with two additional sections (19a and 20a) bringing the volume current.
Uncommon generally, scarcce as nice as is found here. Light shelf/edge wear, gilt toned, ownership signature at bastard title page, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Black pebbled cloth boards, gilt lettering and decorative elements, stiff black endpages. 4to. var. pag. Illus. (b/w plates).