steel surveyor's tape in leather case
Date: circa 1920
Inventory Number: 2003-1-0238
Classification: Surveying Tape
Subject:
Maker: Keuffel & Esser Company (1867 - 1987)
User: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1824-present)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Troy,
Dimensions:
12.6 × 13.8 × 2.3 cm (4 15/16 × 5 7/16 × 7/8 in.)
Description:
Steel surveyor's tape, 100 feet in length, inside a circular hard leather (red) case.
Two tape-ends extend out from the metal-reinforced slot on the top edge of the case, suggesting that the tape has split over time. The ends of the tape, furthermore, are jagged, indicating a break. Distances are embossed on the face of the tape.
In the center of one side of the case is a folding metal handle. The metal on the reverse side of the case is badly rusted.
Two tape-ends extend out from the metal-reinforced slot on the top edge of the case, suggesting that the tape has split over time. The ends of the tape, furthermore, are jagged, indicating a break. Distances are embossed on the face of the tape.
In the center of one side of the case is a folding metal handle. The metal on the reverse side of the case is badly rusted.
Signedembossed on face of case, top center: RENSSELAER;
embossed on face of case, bottom center: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO., NEW YORK;
embossed on back of case, top center: RENSSELAER;
embossed on back of case, bottom center: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO., NEW YORK;
embossed on tape, face, near left end: TRADE K&E MARK;
embossed on tape, face, near left end: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO NEW YORK
embossed on face of case, bottom center: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO., NEW YORK;
embossed on back of case, top center: RENSSELAER;
embossed on back of case, bottom center: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO., NEW YORK;
embossed on tape, face, near left end: TRADE K&E MARK;
embossed on tape, face, near left end: KEUFFEL & ESSER CO NEW YORK
Inscribedengraved on handle, facing out when folded: 100;
engraved on handle, facing out when unfolded: PAT. APPL' FOR
engraved on handle, facing out when unfolded: PAT. APPL' FOR
FunctionUsed to measure horizontal distances.
ProvenancePrivate Donor, Troy, NY, 2003.