Antique & Vintage Sewing Accessories
Sewing Tapes / Tape Measures
Most of the sewing related antiques you will find on this and our other Sewing Accessory pages originated from Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, and were part two large and diverse antique sewing collections we are handling on consignment. This is the first time most of these pieces have been out on the market in many years.
The tape measures from these collections include those made from celluloid, porcelain, fabric, plastic, and assorted metals.
2
Figural "Ship" Tape Measures
These two vintage tape measures came out of a longtime sewing collection.
The one on the left is made of china or porcelain or a ceramic material of some
sort, and is nicely painted in blue, green gold and red. These tape
measures are not typically found made from this fragile material but are much
more often found made from metal or from the early plastic referred to as
celluloid. It is marked "Germany" on the bottom and is in remarkable
condition with no chips or flakes. The cloth tape pulls out and retracts
as it should and is marked off in both inches and metric.
The figural tape measure of the ship on the right is made of celluloid in subdued shades of browns and green. It is in really nice condition and it's cloth tape also extends and retracts as it should. It too is marked off in inch and metric increments.
Left..........Very Good - Excellent .............$95.00 VM-tape-1A
Right.........Very Good - Excellent.........$35.00 VM-tape-1B
Left .....Good ........ $75.00 PR-TAPE-932
Right .....Good+ ........ $125.00 PR-TAPE-933
3
Carved "Vegetable Ivory" Tape Measures
The Victorians loved the warm honey color of vegetable ivory and the
fancy and intricate carving the material lent itself to. The "barrel" on
the left and the "acorn" in the middle still have their tapes intact. The
tape has gone missing from the "urn" on the right. All three still retain
their bone winders but there has been a repair to the one in the urn.
There is some minor chipping here and there on all three---sorry, no standhopes
on these.
Barrel ..... Good + ........ $45.00 VM-veg-tape-1
Acorn ..... Good + ........ $85.00 VM-veg-tape-2
Urn ..... Good - ........ $25.00 VM-veg-tape-3
Bone
or Ivory Tape Measure
This little tape measure is probably English and has a dainty and elegant
winder to retract the tape. The edge is black composition.
Good ........ $125.00 SOLD!
VM-iv-tape
Monogrammed
Sterling Silver Tape Measure
This lovely ladies' tape measure has a sterling silver case that is
decorated and monogrammed. The edge is marked with English hallmarks.
It has an unusual retraction button for winding the tape back in which still
works, but is a bit "temperamental". A beautiful piece!
Good ........ $125.00
VM-ss-tape
2
Round Celluloid Tape Measures
These two tape measures are unmarked but probably date from the 1950's.
They are marked off in inches. They pull out and retract as they should
and will make great users!
Very Good ........ $10.00 pair
VM-tape-2