Collections Item Detail
Tip Top pocket tape, case inscribed Anchor Packing Co.; made by Keuffel & Esser Co., N.Y., n.d., ca. 1935-1960.
Object/Artifact
Tip Top 72" pocket steel tape, custom version of model 7697T-6; case inscribed Anchor Packing Co.; made by Keuffel & Esser Company, New York, no date, circa 1935-1960. Chrome plated metal case 1-5/8" diameter x 3/8" thick; 1/4" wide steel tape with white markings on black background, "Keco" brand finish (notice of which does not appear anywhere on the tape.) Spring retractable tape has automatic locking mechanism that is released by a small center button on the back.
This item is an example of a custom product made for a customer including the engraving of the case. It includes the company name above plus an insignia letter "A" in an old English style face. The type of business that the Anchor Packing Company was engaged in is not indicated. The reverse of the case has the standard engraving of the product name and Keuffel & Esser name.
No model number appears on the item, but it corresponds to model 7697T-6 Tip Top tape which appears in the 38th to 42nd edition catalogs (but similar looking ones appear in earlier editions.) The major difference is that K&E only offered it in the "Wyteface" brand tape which was black markings on white and was on one side only, 72 inches long, graduated in sixteenths.
Ring end. Zero mark starts 2 inches from outside end of ring. Preceding the zero mark is "72 inches"; at 7 to 9 inch mark "Keuffel & Esser Co. New York."
Keuffel & Esser Co. main office and factories were in Hoboken in the period when this item was made.
2009.006.0154
2009.006
Lukacs, Claire
Gift
Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.
1935 - 1960
Date: 1935-1960
Good
Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2009-07-26