Advertising Folding Rule

[robdb80]

I posted over in Vintage Tools, but felt like there was no harm here either. I just picked up a beautiful old folding rule that was used for advertising purposes. I know they're not overly common but would love to see anybody else's that they've accumulated over the years.

I believe it's a CS Co. #61, based on the number styles. If anybody has evidence otherwise, I'm open to more.

 

[Rusted Nut]

That is very cool!

 

[Zewnten]

My wife has an old lufkin with calories per food on the back. Supposedly used for measuring at weight loss groups. Not nearly as nice looking as yours though.

 

[robdb80]

My wife has an old lufkin with calories per food on the back. Supposedly used for measuring at weight loss groups. Not nearly as nice looking as yours though.

That's definitely unique... I wouldn't even say that it's of similar nature. At least the varnish company can be tied to the tool being used for advertisement. It would still be interesting to see. Do you have a picture of it?

 

[Snip's]

Mine...

 

[robdb80]

...used for measuring at weight loss groups.

I wanted to clarify, something I said could be misconstrued. This is what I was referencing when I said similar in nature. What I meant was a folding rule and a varnish supplier sort of make sense together. But a weight loss group and a folding rule don't in my mind. You'd think they would use something more geared toward their focus group or product at hand. Maybe mixing bowls or sifters? Still interesting though that they would use a folding rule to advertise.

 

[Zewnten]

I wanted to clarify, something I said could be misconstrued. This is what I was referencing when I said similar in nature. What I meant was a folding rule and a varnish supplier sort of make sense together. But a weight loss group and a folding rule don't in my mind. You'd think they would use something more geared toward their focus group or product at hand. Maybe mixing bowls or sifters? Still interesting though that they would use a folding rule to advertise.

Your good. I thought it was very odd too. Kind of offensive if given to someone haha. No pictures, try to remember to post one.

 

[woody 73]

I am a man of my word, and I promised the op in pm that I would post my advertisement ruler in his new post.

I could just make out Mil.....ee and as lady luck would have it, I found the man's name and location. Plus, the fact that it was only one of a few tools that my father left me and he lived in Milwaukee, so it all adds up.

It reads Compliments Patton's Paint & glass 1894. Milxxxxee (Milwaukee).

I so hope the op likes it.

Patton, James Edward 1832 - 1904 | Wisconsin Historical Society

Patton, James Edward 1832 - 1904

www.wisconsinhistory.org

 

[neophyte]

I wanted to clarify, something I said could be misconstrued. This is what I was referencing when I said similar in nature. What I meant was a folding rule and a varnish supplier sort of make sense together. But a weight loss group and a folding rule don't in my mind. You'd think they would use something more geared toward their focus group or product at hand. Maybe mixing bowls or sifters? Still interesting though that they would use a folding rule to advertise.

Advertising items are somewhat common, and yardsticks used to be a very standard advertising item.
Weight loss groups are mainly geared towards women, as are sewing groups, so maybe there was some sort of women/sewing/measuring tool type thinking when the item was chosen.

There are **** measure for measuring body dimensions and a person’s Body Mass Index, which I mainly know about because there is a German Measuring Tool manufacturer that goes by BMI ( Bayerische Maßindustrie ) and internet searches used to routinely come up with the BMI (Body Mass Index) tape measures.

An accordion folding rule, like the Lufkin style, might be more preferable for measuring height then a compact tape measure would be, although a flexible tape like that used for sewing would be better for measuring things like waist dimensions.
Maybe the weight loss group had already bought flexible tapes for everyone, and opted for folding rules as gifts?

 

[neophyte]

Advertising items are somewhat common, and yardsticks used to be a very standard advertising item.
Weight loss groups are mainly geared towards women, as are sewing groups, so maybe there was some sort of women/sewing/measuring tool type thinking when the item was chosen.

There are **** measure for measuring body dimensions and a person’s Body Mass Index, which I mainly know about because there is a German Measuring Tool manufacturer that goes by BMI ( Bayerische Maßindustrie ) and internet searches used to routinely come up with the BMI (Body Mass Index) tape measures.

An accordion folding rule, like the Lufkin style, might be more preferable for measuring height then a compact tape measure would be, although a flexible tape like that used for sewing would be better for measuring things like waist dimensions.
Maybe the weight loss group had already bought flexible tapes for everyone, and opted for folding rules as gifts?

I should probably mention that BMI manufactures the accordion style folding rules, in beech wood, fiberglass, and aluminum versions.
I also found some BMI marked stainless steel versions years ago, but don’t know if those were actually made by BMI or just rebranded.
The mat stainless version was my favorite as a compact meter stick.
Fiberglass versions are sometimes sold for use were insulated tools are required, and I think Wiha sells a Swiss made version that is actually 1000v certified.

BMI - Rules & workshop measuring tools

www.bmi.de

Hultafors of Sweden manufactures beech wood, fiberglass, and aluminum accordion folding rules.

Our classic folding rule.

Our range includes several models of wooden, fibreglass and aluminium folding rules. Contact-meter and 2.4 m folding rule are two popular models.

www.hultafors.com

For the old fashioned Stanley type folding rules, I think plastic versions are still made.
There were English made wood versions maybe 20 years ago, but quality wasn’t great.

Stanley and Lufkin/Crescent both sell the plastic four fold rules, but possibly not in the USA.

 

[robdb80]

It reads Compliments Patton's Paint & glass 1894. Milxxxxee (Milwaukee).

That's a great looking advertisement!

 

[Zewnten]

Vintage Lufkin Miss Statistic Diet Aid 6' Measuring Tape Calorie Counting | #1843521916

Vintage Lufkin Metal 6' measuring tape, Miss Statistic . Circa 1960sOne side of the 1/4 retractable metal clad tape is for measuring, the other side starts with, It's a good rule to count calories

www.worthpoint.com

Wife tape measure looks like a worn version of this. Metal tape not overly flexible. Just an odd thing all around to me.