Identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
This appears to be a 15-inch wooden printer’s ruler, with inch divisions along one edge and a typographic scale along the other. Its red Smith–McCarthy Typesetting Company lettering and black “MONOTYPE” and “MAKEUP” labels turn an everyday measuring tool into a little portrait of Chicago’s printing trade. The strongest sale indication is the S. & S. Stationery Co printers-and-engravers advertising ruler at USD 19. 99, reported sold but independently unverified.
Story
The lettering advertises Smith–McCarthy Typesetting Company of Chicago, rather than establishing who manufactured the ruler. The described typographic scale and “MONOTYPE” and “MAKEUP” labels connect it to commercial typesetting and page composition. A circa 1920s–1950s date remains plausible but unconfirmed, and no ownership history has been supplied. These rulers occupy an inexpensive niche shared by advertising collectors, printing-history enthusiasts, and regional-business collectors.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The supplied identification describes red company lettering, black trade labels, inch divisions, and a typographic scale on an apparently wooden 15-inch ruler. These features support its usefulness as a printing-trade collectible, but no photographs are available here to independently assess their sharpness or the wood's condition.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
These rulers occupy an inexpensive niche shared by advertising collectors, printing-history enthusiasts, and regional-business collectors. The supplied marketplace evidence places comparable examples mainly in the USD 15–25 band, although asking prices do not establish completed-sale values. The reported Houston example's failure to attract bids at USD 9. 99 suggests that even closely matching pieces can sell slowly. eBay offers the most practical access to this dispersed audience; shipping cost can materially affect buyer interest at this price level.
▲ Printing-trade advertising gives the ruler a more specific collecting audience than a plain measuring tool.
▲ The apparent 15-inch format closely matches the Houston and Boston Providence comparables.
▲ Chicago business lettering adds regional-history appeal.
▲ Described typographic scales and trade labels reinforce its printer’s-tool identity.
▼ Unconfirmed wood integrity and lettering condition could reduce value if substantial damage is found.
▼ Closely comparable unsold inventory indicates limited demand and potentially slow turnover.
▼ Unverified sale records and asking-price benchmarks leave the upper end less firmly supported.
Best Venue
List individually on eBay at USD 24. 99 with offers enabled, targeting roughly USD 15–20; for a faster sale, price around USD 10–12 plus shipping. Photograph both faces, both ends, and the scale markings, and confirm the length before listing. Avoid sanding or refinishing, which could remove the advertising; if listing effort outweighs the likely return, bundle it with other printing or advertising collectibles.
Upside Potential
Sharp advertising, straight and intact wood, and interest from a Chicago or printing-history collector could support approximately USD 25, consistent with the Boston Providence asking benchmark. The supplied evidence does not support a substantial premium above that level without a documented connection to a notably collectible business.