Beth's Ruler Collection

What better way to sell sewing machines than give-away rulers?

Perfect additions to a collection of paper rulers owned by a quilter!

All of these rulers purchased on ebay from "oldsewmachineguy" = Jerry Klendolph, Muscatine, IA -- received 28 July 2022

Peeking kittens

I bought these kitten images last month to use when making my own ruler bookmarks. Now that I'm retired (!!!), I have a lot more time to make ruler bookmarks... Here's a sample of five different rulers I made from one etsy purchase.

Kitten images: Purchase (etsy) -- Hanyska, Art4youSpace, Ukraine -- received 19 July 2022

Ruler templates: Purchase (etsy) -- Jessica Laurie, JLaurieStudio, Henderson, Nevada

My favorite animal

Especially, the two beauties in OUR house.

Today is International Cat Day, so I'm showing you one of the measuring devices I received as a gift, before I was an official ruler collector. (I've long been a cat-lover.)

Last year there was one of these for sale on ebay for $369!

Gift -- Augusta Fox Horrocks -- ca. 1983

Meta

As a librarian/archivist, I thought a lot about the concept of "information about information," so this new "RULE BLOTTER" was a great addition to my ruler collection. The collection includes hundreds of paper ink blotters (with rulers printed on them, of course), but this particular one is an advertising blotter advertising advertising blotters. I'm sorry, but that just makes me laugh. It has some funny text, too, especially "All Blotters are useful, --some more useful than others," and "Some blotters are more attractive than others." Yes, I am easily amused.

Purchase (ebay) -- "edbd1" = Alexander Beck, Willowick, OH -- received 4 August 2022

Cincinnati!

A couple of weeks ago at a family re-union I had a great time describing my ruler collection, in great detail, to my nephew Nolan, who lives in Cincinnati and who did NOT run screaming when I trapped him into listening. I didn't even see him roll his eyes when I brought out some samples. We have a lot in common. 

A recent accession:

Purchase (ebay) -- "buddyhollylives" = Robert Gold, Harrisburg, PA -- received 27 July 2022

 

More laundry

This one was fun: a ruler joke ("A West Side Neighborhood Ruler"); odd typography (see the font size on the words "to our"); a Roman ruler (look! I made my own ruler joke!) who I'm pretty sure is labeled "CLAUDIUS"; and a message on the back, which is unusual for a blotter.

Gift -- Thomas A. Horrocks; purchased the Allentown Paper Show, 30 April 2022 -- received 2 May 2022

 

"Old Reliable"

To those of us who work in archives and special collections, 1905 doesn't seem that old. It IS though; 1905 was 117 years ago. This blotter includes a 1905 calendar, which I assume is the "BOOKKEEPERS' FRIEND" part of the text at the bottom. I love that the ruler is in such good condition, and also the fact that I still use the product it advertises.

Purchase (ebay) -- [accession information incomplete] -- received 2002

I BELIEVE

This paper ruler, a promotional give-away from Banner Laundry, came into the collection in 2002. I didn't notice until yesterday the text on the back: 

"WE BELIEVE

That we are engaged in the best business on earth.

That of saving the health and strength of our women."

Not sure if  the "women" referred to are their customers, or their employees, but my vote would be to have the men do the laundry.

We love pencils

Those of us who work in archives and special collections, that is. This box of 12 Ticonderoga #2 pencils is full of usable pencils, each one custom-stamped "YOU RULE".

Purchase (etsy) -- "TheLightHouseGood" = Donatus Kupsys, Saint Charles, IL -- received 13 July 2022

How big is that boat?

I seldom find a peter meter made out of paper, but when I do, it goes right into my paper ruler collection. Even less frequent is a peter meter that also serves as an advertisement for a boat company. Two...manly things?!

Purchase (ebay) -- "lenny1577" = Mitten State Treasures, Grand Rapids, MI -- received 13 July 2022