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Start Over Donor Bancroft Library (UC Berkeley) Accession number Acc.3117
Hearst Museum object titled Measuring stick, accession number 3-27340, described as Measuring stick (vara stick); carved rectangular section of wood broken and mended w/screws; pyroengraved (branded) "A M" in circle at both ends of both sides; length 83.cm. Native name and meaning: vara. Context of use: measure, cf. 3-27338-39; This example formerly used in a drygoods store. The mark "A M" probably stands for Administracion Mercantil, and is placed on both sides in such a way to show if any length has been fraudulently shaved from the ends.
Hearst Museum object titled Measuring stick, accession number 3-27339, described as Measuring stick; carved rectangular section of hard, heavy wood; length. 83.8 cm. Context of use: Used to measure cloth; formerly used as a land measure but replaced by the meter "some 50 years ago"(1890?). Purchased from a young weaver (Jose Martinez), apparently Zapotec.
Hearst Museum object titled Walking stick, accession number 3-27338, described as Staff/measure; tapered hard wood with tin head; tip cover missing; length 82.3 cm. Native name and meaning: vara del autoridad (staff of authority). Context of use: Both emblem of office of mayor (alcalde) and a measure. Sticks such as this, often w/ silver heads having the official's title and date engraved, are to be found virtually throughout Indian Guatemala. Also similar to those used in the early days of California. Similar to those used in Indian rancherias but not to those used in the pueblos / This example is

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