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This is a nut measure, made of sycamore with the letters 'H' and 'J. C. Y.' carved on it, for measuring quantities of nuts. It is similar in shape to a double ended egg cup, and measures a penny's worth of nuts in one end and a halfpenny's worth in the other. Nut sellers were common at country fairs.

1 nut measure: wood (sycamore)

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'A well known personality in old time country fairs was the nut seller who was usually either an old man or an old lady. This measuring device, similar in shape to a double ended egg cup, measured a pennyworth of nuts at one end and a halfpennyworth at the other. The measure which is made of sycamore is well worn and the letters “H” and “J.C.Y.” have been roughly carved on it. The total height is 5.1 inches, the small end being 2 inches long and the larger 3 inches in height. They are joined together by a narrow centre.', Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) – 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // Small articles on the Wood Table // Nut seller. A pennyworth at the large end and a ha'pennyworth at the small end. This was a well-known article at Bershire Fairswhere the sellerswere [sic] old menor women.', Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) [page 10] - '[pencil sketch] // No.98 Nut Seller'

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)