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Original vintage mid-century 1960s Zippo Manufacturing Company brushed chrome "Zippo Rule" 6-foot pocket measuring tape. Masterfully manufactured in Bradford, Pennsylvania, this premium pocket utility collectible represents a phenomenal cross-section of American pocket tool history and mid-century modern aesthetic design, surviving in stunning, high-grade condition.
First introduced by Zippo in 1962 as their premier expansion beyond pocket lighters, the "Zippo Rule" line is highly coveted by collectors for its exceptional engineering and pocket-friendly footprint. This piece measures a highly compact 1.5 inches wide by 1.63 inches tall, perfectly mirroring the robust, heavily rounded corner profiles of a classic 1960s Zippo Slim lighter casing. The face panel features a vibrant, exceptionally crisp screen-printed orange and white geometric "mod" starburst emblem accompanied by an official registered trademark block text symbol. The dark charcoal composition base-plate carries deep, clean factory stamps reading: "ZIPPO® / MANUFACTURING CO. BRADFORD PA." The interior houses a flexible, retractable metal rule tape line tracking up to 72 inches (6 feet) in length with clear black numeric gradients. An exceptional, high-turnover investment centerpiece for advanced Zippo pocket accessory collectors, mid-century graphic design completionists, and Americana tool historians looking for an elite condition example.
Item Specifics & Manufacturing Identifiers:
• Brand / Manufacturer: Zippo Manufacturing Company (Bradford, Pennsylvania, USA)
• Product Line / Model: "Zippo Rule" 6-Foot Retractable Pocket Measuring Tape
• Production Era / Date Range: Vintage 1960s (Mid-Century Mod Proportions)
• Face Plate Graphic Elements: Vibrant Screen-Printed Orange & White Geometric Starburst
• Casing Construction: Heavy Gauge Steel Shell with Brushed Chrome Finish
• Base Plate Composition: Dark Charcoal Composition Plastic with Molded Identification
• Measuring Tape Length: Flexible Steel Blade Measuring up to 72 Inches (6 Feet Total)
• Casing Dimensions: Compact 1.5" Width x 1.63" Height Pocket Design Footprint
Condition Grading & Technical Inspection Report:
This vintage 1960s Zippo Rule tape measure stands in excellent original mechanical and cosmetic collector condition, ranking firmly in the upper tier of surviving examples. The exterior brushed chrome panels are beautifully preserved, maintaining a brilliant factory shine with minimal signs of light pocket scuffing or hairline surface friction. The highly coveted orange starburst enamel is entirely complete and sharp, carrying no edge chips, scratches, or color fading. The dark charcoal base plate is immaculate, free of any structural stress fractures, corner chips, or baseline cracking. The internal recoil spring and tracking mechanics remain strong and fully functional.
Professional Shipping & Pocket Accessory Collectible Material Packaging:
Due to the pristine cosmetic grade, crisp chrome finish, and high collector value of this 1960s Zippo pocket rule, it will be prepared for carrier transit with dedicated protective care. To absolutely guarantee that the brushed face panels do not incur any surface scuffs, friction marks, or fine scratches under automated carrier sorting equipment pressure, the tape measure will never be shipped inside a basic paper or loose envelope. The unit will be wrapped carefully in multiple thick layers of shock-absorbing small-cell bubble wrap shielding. The stabilized parcel will be nestled securely inside a small, rigid corrugated box packed out tightly with protective cushion fill to completely eliminate internal movement and automated transit drop impacts. Sent with full automated tracking and transit insurance protection.
