Scale rule, 2 ft. folding, made by J. Rabone & Sons for Keuffel & Esser Co., N.Y., ca. 1880-1900.

Object/Artifact

-

Hoboken Historical Museum

rule fully open, outside and inside

rule fully open, outside and inside

Name/Title

Scale rule, 2 ft. folding, made by J. Rabone & Sons for Keuffel & Esser Co., N.Y., ca. 1880-1900.

Entry/Object ID

2009.006.0273

Description

Two-foot boxwood joint scale rule [model 1722] made by J. Rabone & Sons, Birmingham, England for Keuffel & Esser Co., New York, no date, circa 1880-1900. Four fold natural wood marked in black with brass mountings, ends, hinges and rule hinge; one side with chamfer bevel on one edge of each length. Folded: 6-1/2" long x 1-1/8" wide x 5/16" thick; open 9/16" wide x 24" long. Item does not have a product number on it. Corresponds to description of product number 1722 found in 30th (1900-1901), 33rd (1909) and 35th (1915) edition catalogues although depiction is slightly different from the object (the rule joint has simple protractor markings at 45, 60 and 90 degrees; these simpler markings vary from the catalog depiction from 1900 onward and if accurate, which can be debatable, suggest that this rule was a pre-1900 item.) Description does not state imported or have any reference to Rabone. See reference image of page 192 from the 35th edition, 1915 edition which is the same copy and depiction as previous. Marked: "J. Rabone & Sons, Makers, Birm." and "Keuffel & Esser Co. New York." Both marks are arched type with two lines and one line respectively of straight text below. Note that K&E was using a circular logo even prior to 1900 as well as the griffin trademark, neither of which are present on this object. Additional blindstamped initials, "JOH", which are presumed to be those of a previous owner. One side (the inside when closed) with the single beveled edge has scales: 1/2" : 1" 3/8" : 3/4" 1/16 " 3/16" 1/8" : 1/4" The 24 inch length ruler is graduated in inches by tenths and twelfths; eighths; sixteenths. K&E had factories in Hoboken (as well as Berlin) during this period. The object here is typical of the many imported items branded by K&E and sold by them, but it is less typical to find the original maker's mark along with the K&E brand.

Acquisition

Accession

2009.006

Source or Donor

Lukacs, Claire

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.

Made/Created

Date made

1880 - 1900

Notes

Date: 1880-1900

Condition

Overall Condition

Good

General Notes

Note

Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2009-11-18