The pen ruler was the key piece of equipment for stationery binders and was priced accordingly. Each machine cost around $900 dollars, which, in the 19th century, was approximately equivalent to the price of a house. W.O. Hickok and Sons is well-known as a manufacturer of quality bookbinding equipment and the precision of their work ensured that each pen ruler was capable of functioning over a long period of time.
Use
Ruling ledgers
Collection
Historic
Made/Created
Date made
1901
Place
City
Harrisburg
State/Province
Pennsylvania
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Primary Object Term
Machine, Ruling
Nomenclature Sub-Class
Bookbinding Equipment
Nomenclature Class
Printing T&E
Nomenclature Category
Category 06: Tools & Equipment for Communication
Search Terms
Stationery trade, paper ruling, machines, tools and equipment
Dimensions
Height
54 in
Width
71 in
Parts
Blanket
Crank handle can be removed
Case straddling the blanket (holds ink, pens, and cams)
Material
Wood, Metal
Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
W.O. Hickok Manufacturing Company
Interpretative Labels
Label
The pen ruler was the key piece of equipment for stationery binders and was priced accordingly. Each machine cost around $900 dollars, which at that time was approximately equivalent to the price of a house. W.O. Hickok and Sons is well-known as a manufacturer of quality bookbinding equipment and the precision of their work ensured that each pen ruler was capable of functioning over a long period of time.
