Ed O' asked about his E A Stearns (Brattleboro Vermont) 2', 2 fold #5 rule:

> Can anybody tell me what the strange scales on it are for, how old,
> value?
>
> Got it and 2 four fold 12 inch caliper rules (1 Stanley and one Lufkin)
> for $15.
>
        Ed, IMHO this warrents a _major_ gloat!

        Again IMHO (And some other's I know of) E. A. Stearns was known as
one of the very highest quality U.S. rule makers. As I recall the company
was started in something like 1825 - 30. Stearns not only had very high
quality rules, but also invented a number of machines for the manufacture of
rules. Stearns had a full line of both boxwood and Ivory rules.

        In 1863, Stanley bought the Stearns company, in part to further
their own growth and market share, but also to gain from Stearns reputation
and manufacturing knowledge. From 1863 to 1892, Stanley listed Steran's
ivory rules in their catalogs because of their hi quality and solid
following.

        Rules marked with Brattleboro Vermont, and boxwood rules were almost
certainly manufactured before Stanley acquired Stearns. Your rule sounds
like it has (in addition to the Blind man's figures) a gunther scale (the
brass slide). This is a version of a slide rule, and you should be able to
multiply and divide by moving the slide (try lining up "1" on the brass
slide with "2" on the upper scale. Then look for "2" on the brass scale to
line up with "4" on one of the other scales (probably the top scale).

        As I recall the E and M scales are for drawing figures like right
triangles or octogons, etc. (I might be off on this because I don't have any
books with me at the office). Much information on both the scales and
gunther slide, as well as the Stearns company can be found in Phil Stanley's
book "Boxwood and Ivory:...". I don't know of any other sources or articles,
or reprinted catalogs on Stearns. (If anybody know's of other sources I'd
appreciate hearing about them).

        As to value, the early Stearns, with gunther scale, 2ft. 2 fold etc.
puts minimum value at $50 (my guess) even in just good or good minus
condition. I think that having the blindman scale on a 2 ft 2 fold this
early is quite unusual. Of course if the rule is in Good + to Fine condition
then value would ease on up to $150 -$200 or more. These numbers are based
on FTJ conditions, and are derived via SWAG, because there are not many
Stearns rules, or sales of same, around to judge market value from. Anyway,
I think you have a neat rule worth far more than you paid for it.

        Congrats on a great find!!!

        Chris