Vintage K&E Keuffel Esser Leather Drafting Paperweights Architect MCM Lot of 3 For Sale

Vintage set of three leather drafting paperweights by Keuffel & Esser (K&E), one of the most important names in American drafting, engineering and surveying equipment.Founded in New York City in 1867 by William J. D. Keuffel and Herman Esser, K&E became a leading supplier of precision instruments and professional drafting equipment used by generations of architects, engineers, surveyors and draftsmen. The company operated its major manufacturing facilities in Hoboken, New Jersey, and its instruments were associated with America's great era of engineering and industrial expansion.These are functional drafting-room tools rather than ordinary decorative paperweights. Weighted leather-covered pieces such as these were placed directly on drawings, plans and drafting paper to hold the material securely on the drafting table while providing a surface less likely to damage the paper.This lot includes three round leather-covered drafting weights. Two have smooth tan leather surfaces with visible K&E markings, while the third has a darker rough/napped leather surface. Their different sizes allowed a draftsman to position weights where needed across plans and drawings.Dating approximately to the mid-20th century/circa 1950s era, this set represents a profession that has largely disappeared from the modern workplace as traditional hand drafting gave way to computer-aided design.A particularly appealing find for collectors of Keuffel & Esser, vintage architectural and engineering equipment, traditional drafting tools, industrial history and mid-century professional office equipment. They would also make an excellent authentic display on a vintage architect's or engineer's drafting table.Includes all three drafting paperweights shown in the photographs.

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