Antique Measuring Tools at The Best Things

Measuring Tools

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Measuring Tools

ME90826 Stanley, London This is a superb cased set of drafting tools, the best cased set that we have every offered. The case is the largest size that I have seen, 14 1/2" wide by 7" high and 7/12" wide, with three layers and a pop out drawer of watercolors. It is completely veneered in with a highly figured wood that may be stained olivewood or European walnut. It is stunning. The escutcheon is engraved with a presentation in 1872 to our consignor's ancester from the Blaenavon Iron and Steel Company, of Blaenavon Wales. In 1916 this was the largest steel maker in all of Europe. So why is it so cheap. It has been kept in Arizona and there are some minor cracks in the veneer from shrinkage. In addition, the dividers on the lower levels have all come unglued and are rattling around loose in the box. All of this can be restored, and you will have a 3 - 4 thousand dollar box, but it will take some care. All but one of the original water color cakes are in the box, all by Reeves and Sons, and all looking unused. That alone is worth quite a bit. The tools all look original to the box to me, except for one pen. There are a couple of empty slots in the fitted tool tray. This is a truly superb piece that needs a loving home. It speaks to me, but I never buy our consignments since this presents a conflict of interest. G+ $1495

ME71018 H. Bell & Co. Prescot, Lancashire This is a classic Lancashire pattern folding guinea scale. It is in a mahogany box with a full originial paper label. This is a scarce type which came with 5 extra original weights. Only one of these looks proper to me, and it might not be original to this scale because it does not fit perfectly. That might be from wood shrinkage. The other 4 are clearly modern replacments, and the lid is very difficult to shut properly with them in place, because they were not made properly. They could be fitted better. This is the only one of these scales that I have had even had a provision for extra weights. It is also the first that I have had by this maker. Most of the ones that I see were made in Ormskirk. The brass looks to be very lightly polished but the tool is in essentially very nice as found condition. Very cheap for one these, even with replaced weights. It is late 18th Century. G++ $279

ME50620 Ray Skin Drawing Instrument Set This is a late 18th or early 19th Century drawing instrument set in the original shark or ray skin case. The owner has written into the inside lid, "Thomas Cooper Tatman, 2027 Mt. Vernon St. Phila. PA." I would guess that this incsription is later than the set, and I believe it to be the inscription of one Thomas Cooper Tatman who died in 1996 and is buried near Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. At least this gives the set a Philadelphia provenance, and tells us that the set is original, since Tatman etched his name on all of the instruments. So many of these sets have been "completed" by collectors that a virgin find like this is exciting. There are two empy slots. One is probably for a pencile and the other for a small rule. The dividers have had the tip broken and soldered. A skilled restorer could do a much better job of this. The case is in great shape and this is a very fine set. G+ $695