An essential resource for scholars and a treat for curious readers, this uniquely detailed history of American weights and measures traces these everyday standards back to their originals and explains the ancient trade system on which they are based.

The complexity of medieval & modern pre-metric weights & measures (W&M) in Britain presents an obstacle to scholarly research on Western European econ. history. The problem is: the approx. dimensions of many non-standardized measuring units, used by both the Crown & the regional & local markets, varied from time to time & from place to place; & the dimensions even of standard W&M used in any period are poorly understood. This book will clarify the confusion & bring a new focus to the field of metrology & a new understanding of the units. It includes: tables for rapid identification of all ruling English, Scottish, Irish, or Welsh sovereigns; current English Imperial, Amer. Customary, & metric units; & the basic equiv. for these W&M; & A Dict. of Brit. W&M.