17th dealer show and antique tool auction, The

Chronicle of the Early American Industries Association, Inc., The, Jan/Feb 2001 by Wells, John G

A U c T I 0 N N E w s The Brown Auction Service under the skillful direction of Clarence Blanchard and Mickey Homes put on another spectacular event. Friday morning, October 20, we had the opportunity to attend four presentations put on by leading researchers, each an authority in their chosen specialty.

Phil Cannon spoke on early New England rule makers. He used a digital projector to show images of rules and selected screens from his database of information on New England rule makers. I understand that when Phil completes the database he will sell copies of it on CD-ROM.

Walter Jacob illustrated his interesting talk about unusual Stanley specialty tools with slides of examples from his and his brother's collection. I didn't realize that Stanley made a special wrench to twist tighten the diagonal brace wires on a 1920's biplane or a line of non-sparking Beryllium tools to use in an explosive atmosphere.

Scott Lynk is currently researching Stanley special rules for a book he is writing. His presentation gave a glimpse of the exciting rules he has uncovered and the book he has in store for us.

Tom Lamond gave a report on the current research project and book he is working on with Ken Bassett. The subject is early hardware houses, their brand names and trademarks. Tom has a great eye for attractive graphics. The trademarks and logos used by early hardware houses provide a rich resource from which he will create a wonderful publication. Tom insists on quality reproductions so he uses a computer graphics program to recreate graphics that are too small or lack enough definition to yield reproductions that are sharp and clear. I am looking forward to the book that Tom and Ken will publish.

Dealer Sale

The dealer sale and auction preview opened in the afternoon. There were 115 trade tables piled high with the best merchandise that the country's leading dealers had to offer. When the doors were opened at I P.M., the room quickly filled with buyers eager to find a rare piece to add to their collection. I heard they were not disappointed.

By far the best offering in the dealer's sale was Roger K. Smith's stunning hardware store display of L. S. Starrett precision tools, all in mint, unused condition and in the original showcases made by L. S. Starrett.

The 17th Annual International Tool Auction began promptly Saturday morning, October 21, at 9:00 A.M. Two auctioneers alternated to keep the auction proceeding at a steady pace of about 100 lots per hour.

Rare Stanley in the Box

The hottest group of items in the auction were rare Stanley tools in original labeled boxes. I'm told a private collector decided to open the doors to his locked closet of new, unused rare Stanley tools in the original labeled boxes. I also heard a few of the `Stanley in the Box' collectors say the boxes weren't quite as pristine as they would have liked, but the boxed lots realized very high prices any way.

A No. 46 Traut's patent plow, dado, fillister and match plane in the box brought an astounding $3,100 against a high estimate of $900.

A No. 141 nickel-plated Miller's patent plow plane with fillister bed in the box brought $3300.

Two Stanley block planes with tail handles in original boxes from 1926 (a NO. 9 3/4 and a No. 15 1/2) commanded a strong $2,700 and $2,500 respectively, almost twice the $1,500 estimate.

A No. 212 musical instrument maker's scraper plane in the box realized $3,600 and an aluminum No. A78 duplex rabbet plane in the box brought $2,000.

A No. 9 cabinetmaker's block plane, seldom seen in the box, sold for $8,000.

A bronze No. 71 Rabbet Shave, very rarely seen complete with the fence and almost never seen in the box, was a comparative bargain at $1,300.

The Pride of Sandusky

A Sandusky No. 141 selfregulating boxwood plow plane with six ivory tips was the real surprise of the auction. This beautiful example is from one of the world's greatest collections and its heritage was very evident. It is a super rare plane and this example was in stellar condition, with a nice honey color patina. It opened with a $16,000 absentee bid and closed to a buyer in the room for $20,000-well above the high estimate of $12,000. The buyer is very fortunate to have acquired a truly great piece, worthy of being the focal point of any collection.

On center stage: Blandin No. 1

The star of the patented metallic planes was of course the dazzling little 5 1/2 inch Blandin No. 1 smooth plane. Blandin's patented planes are very rare in any size and only dreamed of in the No. 1 size. For the past couple of years there have been rumors about a mint, unaltered No. 1 Blandin and it finally surfaced.

It was the center of attention at the auction preview. I believe it spent more time out of its locked showcase being admired by prospective buyers than it did sitting regally on its glass shelf.

The auctioneer staged a strategic pause before asking for bids on this little gem. Then all of the sudden the action began with an opening bid of $7,500, which quickly turned into $10,000, then $10,500 and a pause; and then the pace picked up with a quick back and forth exchange between two bidders intent on being the new owner. Finally it was hammered down at $17,500 to the gentleman at the rear of the room. There was another pause followed by a round of thundering applause and congratulations.