Howard Carter's personally-owned 100-foot measuring tape by Chesterman of Sheffield, England, the fine leather-wrapped case measuring 6″ in diameter and embossed with the maker's name on both sides. At the side is a brass tag, which is used to draw the tape out; at the center is a brass catch used to wind the tape back in. The tape itself is rather toned, and has clearly been put to much use, with the first dozen numbers worn and reinforced in mapping ink—one can only imagine the journeys it undertook as part of Carter's kit, and what treasures of Egyptian antiquity it might have measured. In overall very good to fine condition, with expected wear from heavy use and scuffing to leather.
Provenance: Estate of Howard Carter, Bonhams, June 12, 2012; accompanied by a letter of provenance signed by Carter's great-great nephew, Jonathan Carter, certifying the tape measure as part of the Howard Carter archive that he inherited.
