Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Wormser Metrology collection
- Dates:
- 1700-1980
- Creators:
- Wormser, Morton and Frances and Nordberg, Michael
- Abstract:
- A diverse collection of scales and measures from the 1700s to the 1900s, from late husband and wife Morton and Frances Wormser. The items in this collection were displayed in the UCSF Library during the 1980s, featuring exhibit labels created with input from Morton Wormser.
- Extent:
- 8.75 Linear Feet (7 cartons, 1 oversized wood scale)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Wormser Metrology Collection, MSS 2024-36. Archives and Special Collections, University of California, San Francisco.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
7 cartons containing various scales and measures dating 1700-1900s, and exhibit displays from a 1980s library exhibit of the Wormser Metrology Collection. Included are specialty scales, platform scales, weights and measures, equal arm balances, and bismar scales.
- Biographical / historical:
-
The Womser Metrology Collection is a collection of antique scales and measures that were collected by Frances and Morton Wormser. Morton Wormser, a Princeton University alumnus, class of 1924, established a coal yard in 1927 in Brooklyn, NY. His interest in scales stemmed from his regular observation of coal trucks traveling over truck scales, a daily reminder of the importance of good scales. He met and married Frances Dewey, actress and painter, in the 1950s. Their honeymoon was an "around the world" trip in which they started their acquisition of unique scales and measures. Over the years, they added to their collection of scales and measures through joint acquisitions from their travels and gifts from Frances to Morton.
A collection of 400 scales and measures from the 1700-1900s was gifted to the University of California, San Francisco's School of Pharmacy in 1983. An exhibit was displayed in the main floor of the library that comprised mostly 18th-19th century scales and measures. The items that were displayed in that exhibit are what remain of the Wormser Metrology Collection, now residing in the Archives and Special Collections holdings.
- Acquisition information:
- This collection was transferred to the UCSF Archives and Special Collections by Michael Nordberg from the UCSF School of Pharmacy, Dean's office in 2020.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Metrology
Weights and measures - Names:
- Nordberg, Michael
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-09-20 14:19:16 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Wormser Metrology Collection, MSS 2024-36. Archives and Special Collections, University of California, San Francisco.
- Location of this collection:
-
UCSF Library & CKM Archives and Special Collections, 530 Parnassus AvenueSan Francisco, CA 94143-0840, US
- Contact: