Beautiful Antique Boxwood and Brass Folding 12 Inch Ruler soapstone turtle The box is finished on

The box is finished on all sides and has a nice patina

Hiram Campbell Merrill  (1866-1958) was a Boston-born painter and engraver

while the handle attached to the arm is wood

5 7/8" tall x 3 3/8" diameter

while from neck to opening it is perfectly smooth

Beautiful Antique Boxwood and Brass Folding 12 Inch Ruler soapstone turtle The box is finished onI just found this and two other old folding rulers and am completely in love with them; I keep carrying them around as they are just a complete delight to hold in the hand, and how much better to measure little things with one of these than with a clunky measuring tape! I am not entirely certain the maker of this one I have found a "No. 57" (which is how this one is marked)) attributed to E. A. Stearns Co., but also one attributed to Stanley, and I