Today I bought a four fold rule. It looks just like a Stanley #68,
except it is marked "Upson Nut Co." and "No. 68."Is this a promotional
piece for "Upson" or were they a rule maker? I bought it to throw into
my swap meet kit since I often want a rule and haven't been carrying
one. BUT, if this rule has any value beyond measuring, I would like to
know before I put it at risk.

Thanks,

Bill

According to John Walter's book on Stanley Tools....
"In 1893, Stanley Rule and Level acquired the tool division of the Upson Nut
Company, a division of the Standard Rule Co., both
of Unionville,CT."  (page 80 of Walter's book)
Walter lists the average price of the #68 Stanley rule at $5-$25 with the
exception being a rare Type 1 marked "A. Stanley & Co." priced at $400-$800.
and the metric version priced at $100-$250.  Versions made of teak instead
of boxwood go for $500-$1500. and later types have vertical figures.
(all of the above is from page 535 of John Walter's book)
The #68 is listed as a "carpenter's rule".

I have seen a couple of  Upson Nut rules and they were priced very low so I
assume they are not rare....
especially since I came across them....   :-)  I don't how rare your
particular rule would be....

Don
Allen, TX

> Today I bought a four fold rule. It looks just like a Stanley #68,
> except it is marked "Upson Nut Co." and "No. 68."Is this a promotional
> piece for "Upson" or were they a rule maker? I bought it to throw into
> my swap meet kit since I often want a rule and haven't been carrying
> one. BUT, if this rule has any value beyond measuring, I would like to
> know before I put it at risk.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bill

Bill Ghio asked about this co. making rules and Don Screen provided some
info about their doing so. Don said his source said Upson was part of
the Standard Rule Co.; my source (the DAT) has it the other way around.
Andrew Upson was Pres. of Standard Rule before folding it into his Upson
Nut Co. in 1888. Some or all of the Upson Nut Co. moved to Cleveland,
OH; that may have been around 1893 when Stanley took over part of their
business and possibly their CT facility. A 1911 source shows the OH co.
making hardware and such, but no tools.

Several other rule makers, including Upson, used Stanley's numbers on
their similar rules. The #68, by anybody, is common enough to have no
special value.

Best Wishes,
Bob