meilograph

Map measure of the month: Harvey Maps 25k and 40k ‘map-measure-go!’ laces

It is not often that a new design of map measure appears on the market. Harvey Maps bucked the trend in 2022 and released a fun little product- boot and shoe laces complete with printed scales to suit their most popular map scales- 1:25 000 and 1: 40 000.

Map measure of the month: the Carl Zeiss Jena/Freiberger Präszisionsmechanik Kurvimeter 78

The Freiberger Präzisionsmechanik company is based in Saxony, Germany and has a long and convoluted history that has seen many name and structural changes. From 1965 to 1990, they were part of the Kombinat VEB Carl Zeiss Jena optics parent company. The Kurvimeter 78 map measure looked at here dates from that period of Soviet control.

Map measure of the month: Elliott Brothers opisometer

Elliott Brothers were one of the foremost instrument makers of the 19th and 20th centuries. The two opisometers looked here are prime examples of their craft

Map measure of the month: the “Inco” Krzywomierz Turystyczny

This months map measure was manufactured by Polish manufacturer ZZG INCO (Zakład Chemii Budowlanej United Economic Teams INCO-Veritas) for both civilian and military use. It is simple, well made and accurate.

Map measure of the month: a Fritz Chatelain measure

This map measure from Fritz Chatelain of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, was sold by Lawrence & Mayo in the early 20th century. The accurate and high quality instrument was later called the 'Universal Map Measure'.

Map measure of the month: the Zlatoust curvimeter KY-A

The Russian made KY-A Curvimeter was made for both the civilian market and the Red Army at the fabled Zlatoust watch factory in the 1970s. Cheaply made from plastic and metal, it is a robust and reasonably accurate instrument.

Map measure of the month: the Minerva Curvimeter C-01

The Minerva Curvimeter, model number C-01, is a beautifully crafted Swiss made map measure with one of the smoothest tracking mechanisms to be found on this type of instrument. This is unsurprising, considering this measure was made by a company skilled in producing high-quality watches.

Map measure of the month: the Panerai Nautical Curvimeter model PAM00302

This month's map measure was released by Panerai for the Classic Yachts Challenge in 2007. Produced as a very limited edition, a small number were also available on general sale, in particular, to collectors of all things Panerai, the 'Paneristi'.

Map measure of the month: Model D13777- the Discovery Channel ‘deluxe map measurer with compass’

The Discovery Channel 'deluxe map measurer with compass' is a simple instrument with design faults

Map measure of the month: the Vistascreen Pathfinder

The Vistascreen Pathfinder is a very simple map measure with clues to it's origins

Map measure of the month: HB Curvimètre ‘Model No. 54M’

HB Curvimetre 54M- 'for the fast and precise measurement of lengths, straight or curved lines- on plans and drawings'

Map Measure of the Month: the Enbeeco “opisometer” No. 102

This is a ‘middle-of-the-road’ map measure masquerading as a quality […]

Map measure of the month: the Vistascreen ‘BP Super’

The Vistascreen map measure is a cheaply made item promoting BP Super fuel

Map measure of the month: HB Curvimetre ‘Model No. 52 mesures anglaises’

The French manufactured HB Curvimetre 52 MA is a robustly made map measurer "pour mesures anglaises"

Map measure of the month: Société des Lunetiers Curvimeter

The Société des Lunetiers Curvimeter is a simply made yet effective map measurer from a time of fraternal co-operation between French master craftsmen

Map measure of the month: the Radix

The Radix Map Measurer was invented by Louis J Petion. The simple pen-shape design is its greatest fault