Any ideas on the background of this old ruler?

[Barlow]

My pal found this old ruler at the back of his garage. He carefully cleaned and restored it but was puzzled as to its purpose in view of its unusual length and graduations. It is 44 inches long with graduations in inches and divisions of inches on one side and on the other side it is divided into fractions of a yard. There is a name on one side “ASTON + MANDERS MAKERS”.
It would seem that this ruler is “ a thing o purpose “ but what?
Any ideas gratefully received.

 

[RichardG]

Could this have been fixed to a bench where they measure things to be sold like a haberdashery? I’ll have 2.5yards of fabric please!

 

[ScaredyCat]

Looks like a kitchen worktop to me...





anyway..
From a quick google appears they were and early 1900's maker of mathematical measuring stuff. Science museum has some of their stuff listed. Mainly slide rules I can see.

"Traded at 61 & 63 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, works, Westbrook, Kent, both England (1940s)"

The only picture I can find of similar is

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/...0103/lot-9443101e-6f63-4af4-8e40-a47a011c3370
but it's a bit "oh and this too"..

 

[AndyT]

It looks to me that the numbers go up to 44 but the rule is 45 inches long, which is one Ell. So it was for measuring cloth.

Grace's Guide confirms that they did make measures for the cloth trades

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Aston_and_Mander_(1917)

 

[Barlow]

Could this have been fixed to a bench where they measure things to be sold like a haberdashery? I’ll have 2.5yards of fabric please!

I thought the same - many thanks- fabric despatched!!

 

[Barlow]

Looks like a kitchen worktop to me...





anyway..
From a quick google appears they were and early 1900's maker of mathematical measuring stuff. Science museum has some of their stuff listed. Mainly slide rules I can see.

"Traded at 61 & 63 Old Compton Street, Soho, London, works, Westbrook, Kent, both England (1940s)"

The only picture I can find of similar is

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/...0103/lot-9443101e-6f63-4af4-8e40-a47a011c3370
but it's a bit "oh and this too"..

That’s brilliant- many thanks.

 

[Dee J]

It looks to me that the numbers go up to 44 but the rule is 45 inches long, which is one Ell. So it was for measuring cloth.

Grace's Guide confirms that they did make measures for the cloth trades

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Aston_and_Mander_(1917)

And given that textiles were priced per yard, having fractions of a yard on the measure would simplify invoicing.

 

[Barlow]

It looks to me that the numbers go up to 44 but the rule is 45 inches long, which is one Ell. So it was for measuring cloth.

Grace's Guide confirms that they did make measures for the cloth trades

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Aston_and_Mander_(1917)

Just found out what an Ell is. Definitely for measuring cloth - many thanks.

 

[Benchwayze]

That's what I like about this forum. You can learn something everyday. Hadn't got a clue about the Ell. Thanks Andy. Although I do remember seeing these rules fixed to countertops in tailors' workshops. Maybe they have been converted to metric these days!

John

 

[OldWood]

Just to add that this gives an even more unexpected answer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ell
How many many knew where the word 'elbow' came from?
Rob

 

[novocaine]

Just to add that this gives an even more unexpected answer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ell
How many many knew where the word 'elbow' came from?
Rob

I knew that. granted I knew it about 30 seconds before you posted that article by finding the very same on google.

funny old world we live in ain't it, words come from all sorts of places.