Ephemera Collection:

Vintage Tape Measures

I hadn't realized such a thing existed until I found some on E-bay in December 2008.  Then I was compelled to start collecting vintage measuring tapes, mostly of the celluloid type with advertising for different companies.  By July 2009, there were 66 tapes in my collection, all scanned below.  Most of the ones in my collection are from the 1920's to 1940's.  I have discovered that many are made by the same company---The Parisian Novelty Company, based out of Chicago, Illinois.  I listed the dates of the patents or any other date information shown on any of the tapes to give some idea of when they might have been produced.  As time permits, I may also research the history behind the companies, items and people and include this information as well.  Sorry, none of these tape measures are available for sale.

Click on each thumbnail for an enlarged view of each item.

 

Women
 
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
1 3/4" diameter
imperfection during production (paper folded back)
 
 
 
 
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
1 3/4" diameter
 
 

 

Fabrics, Tailors, Suits, Clothes and Shoes

 
Weldrest Family Tailored Hosiery
On the side, it states:
Allen Hosiery Company, 23rd St. and Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia, PA.
Made by The Whitehead and Hoag Co., Newark, NJ.
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
Harford Frocks, Cincinatti Ohio
House of Novelties, Cincinnati Ohio
Parisian Novelty Co. Chicago, Patent 7-10-17, 11-4-19.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
Tanbro Fabrics
Patent applied for 3-14-47 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Wham and Company, Brooklyn, NY.
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
M. L. Kiska, Custom Tailor, North Tonawanda, N.Y.
Made by J.B. Carroll, Chicago, IL.
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
Middishade Blue Serge Suits, Philadelphia, PA.
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
Indian Head Fabrics, Dwight Anchor Sheets and Pillowcases,
Nashua Mfg. Company, Nashua, NH
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Barnette, Barker, Bonar Co.
Mound Brand, Moundsville, West Virginia
Patent applied for by Cruver Mfg. Co., Chicago.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Boot and Shoe Workers' Union
Made by The Whitehead and Hoag Co., Newark, NJ.
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
E. and H. Shoe Store, Queen Quality Shoes
Ellenville, NY
No manufacturer listed
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
Angelica Univorms, Approved by Test
Monte Cloth, The King of Fine Univorm Fabrics
Parisian Novelty Co., Chicago.  Pat 7-10-17, 11-4, Pat. App. for 3-17-47
1 7/16" diameter

 

 

 

Banking and Office Buildings

 
Seashore and Country Real Estate Insurance and Mortgages
Allerton, Mass.
Copyright 1906 The Whitehead and Hoag Co.
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western Life Indemnity Company
Chicago, Ill.
On the side, it states "Our policies equal to any:  Superior to many---take our measure."
J. B. Carroll, Chicago, USA
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
First State Bank of Detroit
Griswold at Lafayette
No manufacturer listed
1 7/16" diameter

 

 
Pomona First Federal Savings and Loan Association
M.J. Kennedy Co. Minneapolis
Parisian Novelty Co. Chicago Patent No. 2548098
1 7/16" diameter

 

 
First State Bank of St. Joseph, Minn.
PNCO Pat 7-10-17  11-4-19  Pat 2,549,098 4-17-51
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Midland Union Mutual Insurance Co.
Juneau, Wis.
PNCO Pat 7-10-17  11-4-19  Pat 2,549,098 4-17-51
(also says M.J. Kennedy on the side with the manufacturer)
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Bank of Dearborn
Dearborn, Michigan
1 1/2" wide by 1 9/16" tall
 
 
 
The Redford State Savings Bank, Redford, MI (now considered to be Detroit)
bank was founded in 1909, so tape can't be much newer than that since it says it was a "new" bank building
J. B. Carroll, Chicago
1 3/4" diameter
 
I found this interesting information on a genealogy site about the president of this bank:
Thomas Charles Houghten (William Gyles-I) was born in March 1853 in Erin Township, Macomb County, Michigan. In 1880 he was a farmer. He died in 1918. He was buried in Grand Lawn Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Thomas C. Houghten, son of William Houghten and Sarah Sullivan, was a farmer with residence on 12th Street (Fenkell) at Evergreen Road in Redford Township. His wife was Eliza Besancon, the sister of Margeret Besancon. Thomas Charles was a prominant man around the village of Redford. He was a member of the school board. The Thomas C. Houghten School, 167455 Lamphere, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, was named in his honor. He and six other men established the first area bank.  In this building, when president of the bank, he was shot by robbers on May 16,1918. He died 24 hours later.
 
There was a big celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Thomas C. Houghten Elementary School on May 20, 1999. Many descendants took part in the celebration. Richard Santer, Son of Hazel Houghten and Arthur J. Santer, and great grandson of Thomas C. Houghten, gave the "Presentation Hom Thomas C. Houghten Family Honoring our 75th Year".
Supervisor, Redford Township - 1886 - 2 terms
Treasurer, Redford Township - 2 terms
Director, Redford School District No.1 0 - 1879-1901
Member, Redford Township Board of Education - 1890
Co-founder, Redford State Savings Bank - 1909, Shot/Killed in bank holdup - May 1918
 
I also found out from a book called The City of Detroit, Michigan 1701-1922 by Clarence Monroe Burton, William Stocking and Gordon K. Miller that this bank was built by Albert E. Williams, who was a prominent Detroit architect born in Bristol, England on September 14, 1877.  He came to North America in 1888 with his family and settled in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.  He is also credited with building the Belle Isle Creamery on East Forest Avenue, the Highland Park Municipal Building, the Immaculate Conception Church in Windsor, plus many other apartment buildings and private residences.
 
The next street east of Redford St. (where the bank was) is Lahser Rd.  A website called atdetroit.net states that this street also has a connection to this bank.  Lahser Road was named for Charles A. Lahser, president of the Redford State Savings Bank. Mr. Lahser was the longtime postmaster of the village of Redford and owned a general store there.
 
The building still stands at the S.E. comer of Redford and Grand River Avenue, Detroit, Michigan.  The information I found from the genealogy site said that it was presently occupied as the Security Federal Savings Bank. However, I believe this happened in the early 30's.  Currently, it appears to be DC Customs, Detroit Wheel and Tire Co (although there is no listing for this place in google, so this information could be outdated as well).  It looks like it got an addition to the right side, as shown in the second map.
 
View Larger Map
 
 
 
View Larger Map
 
 
View Larger Map
 
 
 
 

 

 

Farming and Industry

 
McCormick Harvesting Machine Company
Made by The Whitehead and Hoag Co., Newark, NJ.
1 11/16" diameter
 

 

 
Kendig Brothers Hardware, Salunga, PA.
McCormick and Deering Farm Machines and Implements
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter

 

 
Huff Track Sanding Company, Boston, Massachusetts
Curran and Burton Agents, Huff Automatic Steam Blower
Made by The Whitehead and Hoag Co., Newark, NJ.
1 11/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Sears Roebuck and Company, Chicago, IL.
David Bradley Plows, Cultivators, Planters etc.
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
Alumoyd Sign and Signal Company, Chicago, IL.
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
The Milwaukee Concrete Mixer and Machinery Co.
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
The Globe Oil Company, Cleveland, OH.
(the woman side has been re-attached, not sure if she actually
goes with this tape or not---seems like a rather unrelated image
for an oil company)
1 1/2" diameter
 
 
 
 
Illinois Farm Service Supply Company
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lewis' Lye, Pennsylvania Sale Mfg. Co.
Parisian Novelty Co. Chicago, Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dachdeckung ohne Metalleinlagen
Schofer's Verbund Rauch & Luftungskamin
I believe this is some special sort of chimney.
No manufacturer listed
1 5/8" diameter
 
 
 
 
Butte Electric and Power Company,
Butte Gas Light and Fuel Company
Made by Bastian Bros. Rochester, NY
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
R.E. Hamilton's Sons
Cedar 4460, Detroit, Mich.
Truscon 1-A Hy-Rib Metal Lath For Homes
No manufacturer listed
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Cooperative Services, Inc., Lake Mills, Iowa
PNCO Chicago, Pat. No. 2,549,098 4-17-51
1 7/16" diameter

 

 

 
Railway Materials Corporation, Toledo, OH
Parisian Novelty Co. Chicago, Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
John Deere Quality Farm Equipment
John Deere --- He gave to the world the steel plow.
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 

  
MacKenzie Machinery Corporation
1758 W. Jefferson Ave., Detroit 16, Michigan
2" wide by 1 3/4" tall
photos of building from Google in 2010
 
 

 

Meats, Dairy, Refrigeration and Food-Related

 
Morrell's Pride Meats, John Morrell and Co.
Ottumwa, Iowa and Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
General Electric Refrigerators
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Frigidaire Corporation, Dayton, OH
Product of General Motors
The Quiet Automatic Refrigerator
Made by Cruver Mfg. Co., Chicago.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Frigidaire Corporation, Dayton, OH
The Electric Refrigerator
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
Franklin Co-operative Creamery Association, Minneapolis
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
S and H Green Stamps
1 1/2" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
Pabena (precooked oatmeal) and Pablum (precooked cereal)
Patent Pending, J.B. Carroll C., Chicago
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 

 

Home and Car Products

 
The Viking Sectional Bookcase
Manufactured by Skandia Furniture Company,
Rockford IL.
Made by The Meek Co., Coshocton, O
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
The Viking Sectional Bookcase
Manufactured by Skandia Furniture Company,
Rockford IL.
unusual metal casing around entire tape
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
The Bell Telephone Company of Missouri
American Telephone and Telegraph Company
Made by Cruver Mfg. Co., Chicago.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
   
Colgate's Fab Washing Flakes
J. B. Carroll, Chicago
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
A.J. Logan Co.  Pittsburgh, PA
The Whitehead and Hoag Co., Newark, NJ
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
A.J. Logan Co.  Pittsburgh, PA
The Whitehead and Hoag Co., Newark, NJ
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 
 
Amoco Antifreeze/Coolant
1 1/2" wide by 2 3/8" tall
 

 

 
Montgomery Ward and Co's Retail Store
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company, Chicago
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
The Home Incinerator Company, Milwaukee, WI.
States on Edge:  Clifford A. Loew, Milwaukee
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter

 

 

 

Health

 
 
 
 
Illinois Surgical Supply Company, Chicago, IL
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 

 

 
The Rexall Store
Roy R. Getman, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Cruver Mfg. Co., Chicago
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Hubert H. Rosser, Optometrist
York, PA
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
 
Barlett Mfg. Co., Tree Surgery Supplies
Detroit, MI
Made by Zippo Mfg. Co, Bradford, PA.
1 7/16" wide X 1 5/8" tall
 
 
 

 

Entertainment

 
Port Arthur First Class Restaurant
Providence, RI
Made by Cruver Mfg. Co., Chicago.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Anne Nichol's Abie's Irish Rose Comedy Success
Republic Theatre, New York
September 23, 1924
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
Roth and Englehardt, Makers of World Renowned Piano Actions
No manufacturer listed
1 3/4" diameter
 
 
 

 

Novelty

 
Snail Measuring Tape
Created for Jane Phelan, Dallas TX 75207
Made by Florenza (stamped on bottom)
Snail shell is about 1 5/8" diameter
 
 
 

 

Tourism

 
Fish measuring tape
States "I was caught at Detroit, Mich."
Fish was made in Japan.
4 3/4" from tip of tail to tip of tape ring.
 
 
 
 
Soo Locks, Michigan
Date and manufacturer unknown
1 1/2" diameter

 

 
New York City, Statue of Liberty and Rockefeller Center
Date and manufacturer unknown
1 1/2" diameter
 
 
 
1933 Chicago World's Fair
Hall of Science Viewed from Electrical Building
Patent 7-10-17 and 11-4-19 by Parisian Novelty Company.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 
 
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Chicago, Illinois
Cruver Mfg. Co.
1 7/16" diameter
 
 
 

 

Political

 
Edwin W. Fiske for Mayor
Of Mt. Vernon, Westchester County, N.Y. Democrat.
Mayor of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., 1916; defeated, 1923, 1927.
1 1/2" diameter
 
 

 

Ordinary Tapes (no advertising)

 
 
Salesman's sample measuring tape
1 11/16" diameter
no manufacturing information
 

 

 
Mezurall by Lufkin
Date unknown, but I believe this tape has been in my household since the 80's.
I have stopped using it since beginning this tape measure collection.
2" wide by 1 3/4" tall
 
Ordinary Celluloid Measuring Tape
1 7/16" diameter
 
 

 

 

Go to Ephemera, Nostalgia and Antiques Main Page

[ Vintage Tape Measures ]  [  Frog In Your Throat Merchandise ]  [ Dr. Scholl's and Other Foot Products ]

[ Medications and Old-time Remedies ]  [ Health and Beauty ]  [ Kitchen Items ]  [ Household Maintenance and Repair ]

[ Car-related Items ]  [ Chevrolet Perfume/Cologne Samples ]  [ Toys ]  [ Stuffed Animals ]  [ Dolls ]

[ Tobacco-Related Items ]  [ Miscellaneous Ephemera ]

 

[ Home ]  [ Artwork ]  [ Photography ]  [ Art Cars ]  [ Virtual Museum ]  [ Pets ]  [ Favorite Links ]  [ What's New / My Blog ]  [ Guestbook ]  [ For Sale ]

Copyright © 2007-2012 kozmicdreams.com.  All rights reserved.
All materials contained on this site, including text, graphics and icons, are the property of kozmicdreams.com.