Does anyone know what kind of ruler this is?

[MHBru]

Thanks!  The angled scales are throwing me off. 

[LizEF]

Interesting.  It appears to be a sort of compass + ruler in one...

[Audrey T]

1 hour ago, MHBru said:

Thanks!  The angled scales are throwing me off. 

I'm of no help, but that is so, so cool! Could it be used for architecture?

[mizgeorge]

It's a draughtsman's sector rule. Often bone or ivory.

[Audrey T]

13 minutes ago, mizgeorge said:

It's a draughtsman's sector rule. Often bone or ivory.

Cool to know. Thanks.

[MHBru]

Thank you @mizgeorge!!

[mizgeorge]

You're very welcome @MHBru - I remember these from my grandfather's collection of drawing, charting and cartography instruments.

[inkstainedruth]

Interesting.  How are they used?  And what measurement system do they use?  I say this as someone who is totally bummed that I can't get a replacement for the old pica ruler I used for a number of years (it broke, and saved the pieces -- but it was also translucent plastic and some of the markings have worn off).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[MHBru]

fyi.... the question came up because I volunteer in a thrift store a couple of days a week and someone donated this and another similar ruler that I could identify.  Turns out they are quite expensive and will raise good money for the shelter and food bank that the thrift store supports!  Thanks again!  

[brokenclay]

9 hours ago, MHBru said:

fyi.... the question came up because I volunteer in a thrift store a couple of days a week and someone donated this and another similar ruler that I could identify.  Turns out they are quite expensive and will raise good money for the shelter and food bank that the thrift store supports!  Thanks again!  

 

That's great! I have an old "Spaceman" TV* that I'm pretty sure is collectible, and I've been trying to figure out it how to help it find it's next home - but I hadn't thought of the local charitable thrift store as a possibility.

 

*This: JVC Videosphere, still works! But of course there are no analog signals anymore.

[Ron Z]

...you might find a TV modulator on Ebay.  I have one that I used years ago.  One of those weird legacy products that I just hang onto.

[brokenclay]

26 minutes ago, Ron Z said:

...you might find a TV modulator on Ebay.  I have one that I used years ago.  One of those weird legacy products that I just hang onto.

 

I know there are thingies that would enable me to use this tv, but that's not where I'm going with it. I want to sell or donate it and of course it would be nice if it goes to someone who would appreciate it. It's a fun piece.

[Paul-in-SF]

15 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

totally bummed that I can't get a replacement for the old pica ruler I used for a number of years

 

It appears that metal pica rulers and pica poles are certainly still sold (on Amazon as well as elsewhere); also Westcott (at least) still markets plastic ones. They are still actively used in the (somewhat less robust than it used to be) print advertising field, and probably other related printing applications.