Ecco Wallet Case of Drawing Instruments Sold by Keuffel & Esser

This cardboard and wood folding case is covered with black imitation leather and lined with green velvet. It fastens with decorative snaps. The front left corner is marked with a serial number: 9226. The back is marked: GERMANY. A white celluloid plate screwed inside the case is marked: "ANVIL" (/) KEUFFEL & ESSER CO (/) NY. Except for a missing joint tightener, the set is complete and contains:

1) 6-1/4" German silver compass with bendable legs and interchangeable pencil and pen points and lengthening bar. The side of one leg is marked: ECCO Co GERMANY.

2) 6-1/8" German silver and steel dividers with removable point. The side of one leg is marked: ECCO Co GERMANY.

3) 4-9/16" and 5-9/16" steel drawing pens with black plastic handles. Both handles are marked: ECCO Co (/) GERMANY.

4) 3-1/2" steel bow pencil, bow pen, and bow dividers.

5) 1-3/8" cylindrical metal case with three needle points and one pencil lead.

In 1927 Keuffel & Esser, the prominent New York manufacturer and retailer of mathematical instruments, began to sell drawing instruments made in Germany by the Ecco firm as its Anvil product line. These were marketed to students and others who needed quality instruments at a reasonable price. This set was sold as model number N996; it was priced at $13.75 in 1927 and $18.00 in 1936. K&E's ability to import these instruments was interrupted by World War II. When the company began selling the Anvil line again by 1954, this set was not advertised in K&E catalogs. The Smithsonian acquired the set before 1984, when it was found in the collections.

References: Catalogue and Price List of Keuffel & Esser Co., 37th ed. (New York, 1927), 153; Catalogue and Price List of Keuffel & Esser Co., 38th ed. (New York, 1936), 154, 166; Hoboken Historical Museum, "Drawing set, similar to Anvil N996," http://hoboken.pastperfect-online.com/32340cgi/mweb.exe?request=record&id=58540708-A327-4DCB-833F-741904390220&type=101.

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