RELAY/RICOH SLIDE RULE ARCHIVE

RELAY/RICOH ARCHIVE

151

This is the largest STANDARD type manufactured by Relay/Ricoh, both in physical size and in the number of scales. They are nearly 14 inches in length and have 25 scales, 8 log-log scales

LL0-, L, K, A[ B,S,ST,T,C ]D,DI,P,LL0+
LL1-,LL2-,LL3-,DF[ CF,CIF,CI,C ]D,LL3+,LL2+,LL1+

KNOWN RE-BRANDED TYPES: LAFAYETTE: F-428, 99-7055, 99-70559. SANS + STREIFFE: 312. COMPASS: ? JASON: 803. S.I.C.: 1510. ALVIN: 1151. OMEGA: DT-1065. EAGLE: 201.
STAEDTLER-MARS: 944-24. LUTZ: 151P. OLSON: TL-473

    Relay/Ricoh (different evolutions of the same company) was probably the second largest Japanese maker to Hemmi. They made VERY nice rules, easily comparable to Hemmi's. Beginning as early as 1951, (and very likely earlier than that) they began importing their rules for sale into the United States. During the span of importation, which lasted until probably 1972, their rules were distributed by at least 22 different companies and/or brand names in the U.S. alone! Identified and verified brand names are as follows: LAFAYETTE, SANS AND STREIFFE, SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS CO. (S.I.C.), COMPASS, JASON, ALVIN, MICRONTA, OMEGA, EDMUND SCIENTIFIC, EAGLE, LUTZ, OLSON ELECTRONICS, MONARCH, LIETZ, TOBE, CHARVOZ-ROOS, ENGINEER'S, SELSI, FUJI, PICKETT, SKYLINE, and DIETZGEN. They were also sold by STAEDTLER-MARS, and CROWN, probably not here in the US but only overseas. (Other sellers outside the U.S. doubtless remain undiscovered.) Of course, many were also distributed as RELAY brand or RICOH brand, which were again just the "brand" or "trade" names of the company who made the rules. They have also been rumored to have been sold by WALLACE AND WALLACE. (That makes 27 brand names if I count right!) Some rules sold here in the U.S. had no brand names whatsoever, while others were sold with cryptic model numbers but no brand name! At least one giant retailer, J.C. Penney's, carried Relay rules, un re-badged but with the J.C. Penney name on the manual. The LAFAYETTE, S.I.C, and SANS AND STREIFFE brands are the most common in the U.S., and the MICRONTA and COMPASS names seem to be the oldest imported in any large numbers. LAFAYETTE may have imported some rules very early on too, but the very EARLIEST may be LIETZ. (It is a known fact that LAFAYETTE sold re-branded NIKKEI rules also.)
     If you look at the catalog/model number info pages found elsewhere on this site, you will discover that during the years they were in business, R/R (used as an abbreviation for Relay/Ricoh, but really meaning the COMPANIES who made these brand rules) made an almost bewildering variety of scale sets and rule sizes. Not quite equal to Aristo or Faber-Castell, but a large number of types for sure. Many of these types, if not most, were never imported into the U.S. at all. In fact, you'd have to look around quite a bit to find several that were! Also adding to confusion is the fact that apparently R/R used a different model numbering system for rules sold in Japan, especially seen in late rules, completely dissimilar to that used here. In fact, around 1957 rules sold here changed numbers too, but the details about this are as yet unclear. (All this can be found explained in detail elsewhere on this site.)
     We can divide up the types that were imported in any large numbers into THREE BASIC GROUPS: 1. Rules unchanged from their original R/R arrangements, whether re-badged or not, 2. rules which were modified or re-arranged from their original R/R format, and 3. Rules which were completely custom made, with no original R/R predecessor at all. In the first group, and serving as the basis for the second, we have the following rule types which are by far the majority of types seen here: 403, 505, 82, 102, 105, 450, 550, 551, 150, 151, 152, 153, 157, 158. That's 14 basic types, in 4 lengths (4 inch, 5 inch, 8 inch, 10 inch.) A few of these, the 450, 152, 153, and 158, aren't exactly what you would call common, either. To be sure, others did indeed make it here, but those models are the ones you'll see the most.
     Rules in the second group would include the Pickett B-1, nearly all the S.I.C. Co. rules, and potentially the Dietzgen 1737 if it had no predecesor, which at this time I am uncertain of. There are also likely others yet to be discovered in this class.
      Rules faling into the third group, the completely custom made group, are the least in number. The Dietzgen B-1725 and B-1734 are two examples, rules which while using an existing R/R body, have scale sets completely unlike any R/R sets. These were made to match existing Dietzgen scale arrangements. (Faber-Castell did this for Dietzgen too, btw.)
     Below, and in no particular order, you will find textual descriptions of many of the rules given in the above list, and some that were not! Again, for a complete model list, see the 1959 and 1957 catalog pages.

Notes: earliest seen 151 type is 1960, manuals exist copyright 1959. Latest date code seen is 1972. The legendary PICKETT B-1 is an altered 151 (see below). While the scale set of this rule went unchanged,, many details of the rules differ by brand and/or age, for instance some brands feature self documenting scales, some don't. 151's feature many over-range extensions on nearly all scales, and several gauge points, no matter the brand/age. May be the most re-badged slide rule ever. Oddly, I've seen more than a few branded as "Relay", but only ONE as "Ricoh"! Late rules may have had a 2 part plastic case, like F/C or Hemmi used.

150

Probably the most often seen type. Not as large as the 151, but quite comparable to earlier K+E 4081-3 rules in power. 21 scales, 5 log-log scales.

LL0, LL00, A[ B,K,CI,C ]D,S,ST,T
L, LL1, DF[ CF,CIF,CI,C ]D, LL3, LL2

KNOWN RE-BRANDED TYPES: LAFAYETTE: F-341(?),99-7031, 99-70319
SANS + STREIFFE: 311. COMPASS: 1321. JASON: 802.
S.I.C.: (early 1530) ALVIN: 1150. MICRONTA: 150. OLSON: TL-373

Notes: earliest I have seen is 1953, last seen is 1971. Some of these rules have been seen with their trig scales divided in decimal degrees instead of min/sec format. These rules lack the over-range scale extensions found on the 151's. Late rules, like the 151's, have extended end brace screws enabling you to use the rule on a flat surface without damaging the cursor. There seem to be fewer detail changes by brand overall in the 150's as well, unlike the 151's. One of R/R's longest running rule types, if not the longest. Perhaps the most common R/R rule in the US, in its various brands, and a very fine slide rule.
My first Relay/Ricoh was a Lafayette 99-7031, dated 1965. and is "decimal trig." Also, the first SIC 1530's may have been a mod of this rule. See SIC section.

153

Duplex log-log type, 19 scales, 3 log-log scales.

K,A[ B,S,ST,T,C ]D,DI,
L,LL1,DF[ CF,CIF,CI,C ]D,LL3,LL2

KNOWN RE-BRANDED TYPES: none

Notes: Much less common than the 150 type rules. Known date codes are 1959, 60, and 62, with the above scale set.. The one I have is 1962. None of these have been seen in any brand LATER than 1962, BUT variants sold by S.I.C. ( Scientific Instruments Co.) after 1961 add log-log scales LLO above K scale and LLOO below DI, making the rule essentially a 150 with its trig scales on the slide rather than the body. (Both refer to A/B scales.) Thus, a 1530 is not really a 153, but IS a modified 153. See also SIC section.

10"

B-1734

Custom mfg. by RICOH for EUGENE DIETZGEN Co. Uses the 157 body. Had the std. late Dietzgen log-log scale set,22 scales, 6 log-log scales.

LL01,K,A[ B,T,T,ST,S ]D,DI,LL1
LL02,LL03,DF[ CF,CIF,L,CI,C ]D,LL3,LL2

Notes: No R/R predecessor. 157 body ideal for this size/type rule. Proof that Relay/Ricoh would custom make just about anything! Also, see the B-1725. Also, see Dietzgen archive.

10"

154

10"

LL1-, K,A[ B,ST,S,T,C ]D,DI,L, LL1
LL2-,LL3-,DF[ CF,CIF,CI,C ]D,LL3,LL2

22 Scales, 6 log-log scales. Second in power only to the 151.

Notes: Believed to be the basis for the SIC 1530-A slide rule, as scales are same BUT re-arranged. Only known date code is 69. Very comparable to late K+E 4081/4181's in power. Same body as the 150. May have replaced the 153 in production. VERY uncommon in the U.S. Mine in fact came from Canada! May be RICOH only, as none seen with RELAY name.

...for images!

158

10"

Sh2,Sh1,Th,A[ BI,S,T,CI,C ]D,LL3,LL2,LL1
X2,X1,P2,P1[ Q,Y,L,Lx,I ]I,Ltheta1,Ltheta2,LY

156

Db,DF[ CF,CIF,CI,C ]D,A
Xc,Xi,K[ KI,S,T,F1 ]F2,DI

Electronics rule, specialized scales but in a non log-log format. 17 scales.

KNOWN RE-BRANDED TYPES: LAFAYETTE: F-990, 99-7128

10"

Notes: Usually only seen in the US as the Lafayette version. Not common. Sort of a "junior" electronics rule to the big 157 and 158 models.

Large, powerful electronic engineering rule, many specialized scales. 26 scales, 3 log-log scales

Notes: Usually seen in the above SIC version. See SIC section for more info and images.

KNOWN RE-BRANDED TYPES: SIC: 1580

KNOWN RE-BRANDED TYPES: none (sic 1530-A is a mod of this rule)

...for images!

B-1

10"

Modified 151, with altered scale selection. Only made for Pickett. 25 scales, 8 log-log scales. Named "Powerlog" by Pickett.

LL0-, L, K, A[ B,S,ST,T,C ]D,R1,R2,LL0+
LL1-,LL2-,LL3-,DF[ CF,CIF,CI,C ]D,LL3+,LL2+,LL1+

Notes: Custom mfg for Pickett by R/R, using a modified 151 scale set which deletes DI and P (the P scale oddly was not very popular in the U.S.) and adds two square root scales R1 and R2, exactly like those on the K+E Deci-Lon, the Post (Hemmi) 1460 Versalog, and several other Pickett metal rules. It also used a different cursor frame than any other U.S. R/R type, but which HAS been seen on rules sold in Japan. Additionally, it has the older style polished end braces. Dates uncertain, but probably only late, mine is a 1972. The B-1 is one of my favorite rules.

...for images!

159

10"

Seen on EBAY auction, data from online s/r archives....26 scales, 6 log-log scales

LL1-,LL2-,LL3-,A[B,BI,K,CI,C]D,LL3,LL2,LL1
Sh1,Sh2,P2,P1[Q,Sr,Se,Th,C]D,T2,T1,L

Notes: Apparently an electronics/hyperbolic rule. Over range scale extensions on C+D and A+B scales. Extremely rare in the US.