ITEM DESCRIPTION

Original vintage SEEQUA Computer Corporation folding sales brochure titled “The Compatible Computer,” advertising the SEEQUA line of IBM compatible and CP/M 80 compatible personal computers. This brochure features the Chameleon, Chameleon Plus, SEEQUA/PC, and SEEQUA/XT, with period photographs, specifications, original pricing, software lists, hardware features, company information, and trademark notes. The back panel lists SEEQUA Computer Corporation at 8305 Telegraph Road, Odenton, Maryland, along with Systems Innovations, Inc. of Lowell, Massachusetts.

SEEQUA was part of the early 1980s wave of companies attempting to compete in the fast-moving IBM PC compatible market. The brochure is especially interesting because it emphasizes compatibility with both IBM PC software and CP/M 80 software, reflecting the transitional moment when many business users still had large CP/M software libraries while the IBM PC and MS-DOS standard were rapidly becoming dominant. The Chameleon line was marketed around this dual-compatibility concept, using both 8088 and Z-80 processor support to bridge older CP/M business software and newer IBM PC-compatible applications.

The brochure promotes the Chameleon at $1995 as a transportable full-feature IBM compatible computer weighing 28 pounds, the Chameleon Plus at $2695 with expanded memory and dual disk storage, the SEEQUA/PC at $1995 as an economical IBM PC compatible desktop system, and the SEEQUA/XT at $3995 with a 10 megabyte internal hard disk drive. Listed software includes MS-DOS, GW Basic, WordStar, SuperCalc3, Perfect Writer, Perfect Calc, Perfect Speller, Condor 1, and C Term. Hardware sections note features such as 8088 and Z-80 processors, IBM PC-style keyboards, 5.25 inch disk drives, expansion slots, serial and parallel ports, monitor output, and graphics support.

The piece is printed in black, gray, and teal on glossy stock and folds down to a narrow rack-brochure format. It remains a desirable piece of early personal-computer advertising, especially for collectors of IBM PC compatible machines, CP/M systems, MS-DOS history, luggable computers, business microcomputers, and short-lived 1980s computer manufacturers.

Condition is good overall with visible age and handling wear. The brochure has fold lines from original use, surface rubbing and scuffing to the glossy paper, light soiling and smudging, small spots, minor edge wear, light corner wear, small wrinkles and creases, and some darker soiling near the lower back panel. Interior panels remain readable and display well, with strong period computer imagery and specifications throughout.

Make sure to see the photos above for complete details.

Folded, measures approximately 8 1/2 inches tall by 3 1/2 inches wide.

KEYWORDS

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1984 SEEQUA COMPUTER CORPORATION CHAMELEON PC XT BROCHURE IBM CP/M 80

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