Measure (Liquid measure)

Museum Object Number 2016.0031.002

Object Name

Measure (Liquid measure)

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Museum purchase with funds drawn from the Centenary Fund and partial gift of David M. Kilroy and Melodee Wagen in memory of John Carl Thomas

Creator (Role)

Henry Will (Probable maker)

Creator Notes

Son of John Will, Pewterer; brother of William and Philip. Married Magdalena Haan in 1761 and became a freeman of New York City in 1765. He moved to Albany in 1775 or 1776. In 1783, Henry purchased property from John Townsend at 3 Water Street, New York (Laughlin, Pewter in America, vol.2, p.13-14). For Henry Will's marks, see Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), pp.176-180; C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), section 2, p.284; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.144; and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.228. See also J.B. Kerfoot, Ameican Pewter (1942), p.80 and Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.3, pp.101-103.

Date of Birth

1735

Date of Death

1802

Place of Origin

New York, New York, North America

Date

1786-1811

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Body, upper edge, right of handle; "A" stamped

Materials

Pewter

Techniques

Cast

Dimensions (inches)

10.5 (H) , 8 (W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

26.67 (H) , 20.32 (W)

Measurement Notes

Liquid measure is half-gallon. Overall height of body to upper edge is approximately 9 inches (8.875). For comparison, see endnote 33 in Daivd Kilroy (2014): 21. Melvyn Wolf's half gallon measures #326 and 329 with the same cast handle as this measure are 8 7/8 inches high in the body according to a Dec. 7, 2014 personal correspondence with Kilroy.

Object Description

Web - 05/31/2016

This lidded vessel originally conformed to a precise capacity standard of liquid measurement for beer, cider, wine, milk and even medicinal beverages, depending upon its size. Commonly called a “measure” for its function, these might be made in pewter from a tiny 1.5 ounce size to a gallon or larger. Measures were vital tools for honest commercial exchange and pricing, although standards varied between countries, states, and even nearby regions until the early 1800s. This half-gallon measure bears an “A” mark along the body’s upper edge indicating it was authorized for use by a sealer, an official keeper of standards, and matched the “assize” for its specific quantity.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Article] Kilroy, David. 2014 "An Update on NewYork 'A' Measures". Pewter Collectors Club of America Bulletin. 15 (2 (Winter 2014))
• Published: Fig 1, p. 3; mark p. 6; Fig. 6, p. 16.
[Book] Fennimore, Donald L. 1996 Henry Will Account Book.
• For reference
[Book] Wolf, Melvyn. 2006 An American Pewter Collection: The Collection of Dr. Melvyn & Bette Wolf.
• For reference