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Academics > Libraries > Rogers Series 3: Tape measures, emeries, and waxers

Rogers Series 3: Tape measures, emeries, and waxers

Series 3. A brass tape measure in the shape of mill house.

Many of the items in this series came from fitted workboxes. The carving on the top of the workboxes would have matched the carvings in the mother-of-pearl, ivory, bone, or wood tops of the tape measures, emeries, and waxers that were set into the workbox tray. Many of the tapes are silk and match the silk or velvet lining of the workboxes from which they came. The tape measure cases are made of various materials, many from ivory, silver, or other metals, and most are carved or painted with tiny, delicate decorations.

This series contains the subseries of tape measures, emeries, waxers, and combination. Emeries are like pincushions but smaller and heavier 鈥� they were filled with coarse corundum powder or sand that removed rust from pins and needles placed in their cushions. Waxers refer to wax holders or thread-waxers, objects which contain white wax or beeswax that strengthens and smoothes thread to keep it from tangling or to facilitate stringing beads. There is also one case that holds a matching set of an emery, a waxer, and a tape measure. The majority of the pieces in this series are English, German, or American, but there are also a few Austrian, British Indian, and one French item. They are from the 19th and early 20th centuries.