Mapping Early America - Interesting Find

[F350Platinum]

22 hours ago, strick said:

That is a very nice find there 350,  that would be up on my mantle for sure, love seeing unique things like this rescued from the depths..thanks for sharing

strick 

Thanks strick, 

It will go in a display box for sure. 🙂 Not sure how cleaned up it will be. 🤔

[F350Platinum]

 

15 hours ago, Saker said:

Great finds! That broken piece that has leather sandwiched, might actually be wood. I think its folding ruler. I found one similar. So yay, looks like some map making going on there. 

 

Saker, you are spot on! Thanks so much for the call on the item.

Putting the pieces together like this clearly identifies it, there must be marks on the other side as well, one of the pieces needs to be flipped. The residue is definitely wood. 

Here's one in the keep of Colonial Williamsburg, it's a two foot ruler from 1678:

https://emuseum.history.org/objects/3228/folding-rule-twofoot;jsessionid=F3374103FB28CB4CA231D0C1DA3E809B

Thank you! It will go in a case with the divider. 🙂

[F350Platinum]

12 hours ago, J-ROB said:

 

After removing loose dirt and corrosion, a coat of microcrystalline wax would seal and protect the brass item. A brand name for such a substance would be Renaissance Wax.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_Wax

I have used this to preserve brass antiques and it is a long lasting treatment. It is probably a good idea to flush item well with water to ensure surface is at a neutral pH, especially if using any metal cleaners or polishes.

Thanks J-ROB,

I do have Renaissance Wax and will be using it! 🙂

[J-ROB]

I actually discussed the use of microcrystalline wax with a Colonial Williamsburg curator while I was studying archaeology at a well-known Williamsburg college! Who knows, that 17th c. ruler might be coated with the stuff!

[maxxkatt]

Pretty soon you will have the archies following you.

Great find.