Posted 9 years ago
UpsonNut
(6 items)
Recent acquisitions: Top - Rabone No. 1212 two foot four fold rule with caliper, early arch joint, probably pre-1915. Fine.
Then, below from left to right: H.Chapin No. 8 one foot four fold half bound rule. I think this is quite unusual; I haven't seen one like it before. Beautiful condition. Pre 1900.
Stanley No. 3 one foot four fold full bound caliper rule, pre-1917. Good +.
Stephens & Co. No.99-1/2 one foot four fold full bound caliper rule. Good ++ with moderate yellowing. Probably pre-1925.
Upson Nut Co. No. 82, one foot four fold unbound caliper rule, probably pre-1912. Fine.
Stanley No. 32-1/2, one foot four fold full bound caliper rule, probably pre-1912. Good ++.
I found all of the above except the Stephens on ebay.
The second photo is of the Rabone No. 1212.
I've been collecting since 1995 and have owned 127 rules total, perhaps 105 or 106 at one time, down to 50 now. I'm unlikely to buy more unless I can improve on examples I have with better ones.
Very cool and interesting collection ...
I just love these fourfold rules !!!!!
Me too. Traditional materials that really look great together, mellowness from age, beautiful styles of the numbers, subtle variations, and heft combined with compact size make them very appealing. What I most enjoyed was buying them at flea markets and putting them in my pocket, but I think the internet and a greater awareness of them has made surprise discoveries pretty unlikely now.
The H. Chapin may be Civil Ware Era. on Large rules he used. Us Standard or Union Factory. he had the the Sons. Edward was the oldest. Sometime you run across rules EM. Chapin, Same Family. For some time they Stamped Chapin & Sons. The when Hermin Chapin past away it became Chapin's Sons I think then eventualy became just Chapin, until the merged , bought out a former Employess company Stephens.