June 2016 No. 163 the Gristmill (ISSN 2166 8078) No

Home , Tape measure

Lee-Coit-Andreesen Hardware Co. Trade Card from 1919. Story on page 21. Studying, Preserving, and Sharing Knowledge of Tools

M-WTCA.ORG

Bill Ericson Displayed the “Rarest of the Rare” No.2 Planes at the Area A Meeting in Medina, MN. Displays Share Members Knowledge of Tools at Area and National Meetings. Story begins on page 6.

June 2016 No. 163 The Gristmill (ISSN 2166 8078) No. 163 June 2016

Copyright 2016 by Mid-West Tool Collectors Association, Inc. All rights reserved. THE GRISTMILL Editor & Advertising Manager: Bill Kolm | 11415 Spaulding St. Omaha, NE 68164 Contributing Editors: Bob Roger, James Goodson, John Wells Graphic Design: Tracie Sis, Green Hat Creative Heads The Gristmill is the official publication of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association, Inc. Published quarterly in March, June, September and December. The purpose of the Association is to promote the preservation, study and understanding of ancient tools, implements and devices of farm, home, industry and shop of the pioneers; also, to study the crafts in which these objects were used and the craftsmen who used them; and to share knowledge and understanding with others, especially where it may benefit restoration, museums and like institutions.

President Vice-President of Scholarship LeRoy Witzel Mark Eastlick 105 Knights Blvd, Humboldt, IA. 50548-1879 14530 Mount Pleasant Rd., Cambridge Spring, PA. (515) 890-0262, [email protected] 16403-9776, [email protected] (814) 734-7818 DEPARTMENTS Vice-President of Elections Treasurer Hollis Feeser Vaughn Simmons 1606 28th St. N.W., Rochester, MN. 55901-7614 3315 Clement Dr., Harrisonburg, VA. 22801-4723 Chaff ...... 4 (507) 282-3175 [email protected] (540) 432-0617

Fall Meeting-Louisville October 5-8 . 5 Vice-President of Meeting Planning Secretary Larry Thorson Randy Knudsen 764 Stonebridge Ave., Onalaska, WI. 54650-8813 8173 Lenox Ave., Jacksonville, FL. 32221-6630 Elections Report ...... 5 [email protected] (608) 779-0966 [email protected] (904) 781-5479 Vice-President of Membership Area Meetings ...... 6 John Walkowiak 3452 Humboldt Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN. Lest We Forget ...... 15 55408-3332 [email protected] (612) 824-0785 www.mwtca.org Tool Family Trees ...... 15 Directors Area E Area I Area O Tool Tid-Bits...... 20 Eric Kenney, 2016 David Hegwood, 2016 Dwight Trahin, 2017 Area A Don Snyder, 2017 Emery Goad, 2017 Bob Valich, 2018 Mathew Kujawa, 2016 William Cox, 2018 Area J What’s It ...... 33 Area P Greg Vetsch, 2017 Robert Terry, 2018 Jim Dills, 2016 Jason Miller, 2016 John Hunziker, 2018 Jim Price, 2018 Auxiliary ...... 34 Area F James Leamy, 2017 Area B Erick Horner, 2016 Area K Patrick Renehan, 2018 Gary Kane, 2016 William Warner, 2017 Gary Coleman, 2016 Obituaries ...... 38 Area Q Steve McNulty, 2017 Art Redinger, 2018 Area L Bruce Bogust, 2017 Don Zoellner, 2018 Area G Steve Gosselin, 2017 Area R Area C Ray Myers, 2016 Area M Bill Gustafson, 2017 Zachary Dillinger, 2016 Wayne Michaels, 2016 Doug Fowler, 2016 Mike Stemple, 2017 George Elsass, 2018 Area S FEATURES Dick Bradshaw, 2017 Jim Charvat, 2018 Wordell Davis, 2017 Area H Stephen Edwards, 2018 Henry Caudle, 2018 Carlson & Sullivan Incorporated Area D Peter Habicht, 2017 Area N David Christen, 2016 Annette Habicht, 2018 Of Monrovia, California ...... 9 Mike Imel, 2016 Bill Ruppert, 2017 Phil Baker, 2017 Fred Leu, 2018 An English Compass: The Story of Two London Instrument Makers . . 16

M-WTCA Advanced Levels Committee Chairman Where to Send What of Membership & Additional Elections...... Hollis Feeser Send changes in your address, phone number Gifts for 2015 ...... 18 Meeting Planning...... Larry Thorson or E-Mail to: KLM Computer Services, c/o Kerry McCalla, 104 Engle Ct., Franklin, TN 37069, phone Membership...... John Walkowiak (615) 791-6198, E-Mail [email protected] History of LCA/LGA HardwareM-WTCA.ORG CO . . 21 Scholarship...... Mark Eastlick Gristmill Editor...... Bill Kolm Request The Gristmill copies from: Carl Gray, 17140 28 Mile Road, Ray, Michigan 48096-2905, phone Brown’s 47th Antique Tool Auction, Special Publications...... MIke Urness (586) 781-9467, E-Mail: [email protected] Camp Hill, PA ...... 26 By-Laws and Policy...... Steve Edwards What’s It...... Rob Hartmann Pay membership dues for current year: Dues are $25 for USA, $40 for Canada & $60 for Foreign Directory...... Randy Knudsen Novel Contest of Icemen . . . . . 28 members. Send your check made out to M-WTCA to Preservation & Education..... Doug & Paula Cox Vaughn Simmons, Treasurer, 3315 Clement Drive, J. Flint, Saw Maker ...... 29 Marion Henley Award ...... Kerry McCalla Harrisonburg, VA 22801-4723 phone (540) 432-0617 Displays & Awards ...... Dick Bradshaw E-Mail [email protected]. Please write Internet ...... Russ Allen RENEW and your name and address on your check. M-WTCA Helps Identify Do not use a new member application to renew an Address Labels ...... Kerry McCalla Excavated Tool ...... 31 existing membership. Scrapbook...... Aaron Hoyle Strategic Planning...... Ed Hobbs Submit materials and advertising information Fire Tool History ...... 32 to The Gristmill: Send to Bill Kolm 11415 Spauld- Endowment...... Bob Terry ing Street Omaha, NE 68164, phone (402) 572-1238, E-Mail [email protected]

The Gristmill (ISSN 2166 8078) is printed by Obtain scholarship information: Contact Mark Elman Print, 6210 South 118th Street, Omaha, Eastlick 14530 Mount Pleasant Road, Cambridge NE 68137 phone 402.346.0888 Spring, Penn. 16403-9776 phone (814) 734-7818 2 The Gristmill 2016 M-WTCA Area Meetings

Area Q May 14, Bethania, NC. Robert Oehman, (919) 593-4029, [email protected] Area A May 14, Hastings, MN. Greg Vetsch, (612) 743-3697, [email protected]\ Area H June 19, D’Elia Antique Tool Museum, Scotland, CT. Annette or Peter Habicht (413) 645-3148, [email protected] Area P June 25, Adamstown, PA. Don Stark, (717) 367-5207, [email protected] Area C July 16, Kalamazoo, MI. Jim Crammond, (734) 241-0549, [email protected] Area E August 7, Garfield Farm Museum, LaFox, IL. George Cella, (630) 377-3646, [email protected] Area E Sept. 11, Ottawa, IL. M-WTCA Bill Cox, (815) 672-3874, [email protected] Area Q National Meetings September 17, Raleigh, NC. Ed Hobbs (919) 828-2754, Spring 2016 June 8-11, Holiday Inn - Airport, Des Moines, IA. Area D Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966, [email protected] September 18, Cosgrove, IA. Bill Ruppert, (319) 545-2756, [email protected] Fall 2016 Area P Oct 5-8, Ramada Plaza Hotel, Louisville, KY. September 18, Adamstown, PA. Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966, [email protected] Don Stark, (717) 367-5207, [email protected] Area A Spring 2017 Oct. 22, Hastings, MN. June 14-17, 2017, Springfield, IL. Greg Vetsch, (612) 743-3697, [email protected] Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966, [email protected] Area S Oct. 22, 2016. Timberville, VA. Fall 2017 Vaughn Simmons, (540) 432-0617, [email protected] Sept. 27 - 30, 2017, Memphis, TN. Area D Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966, [email protected] Oct. 23, Omaha, NE. Spring 2018 Fred Leu (402) 690-0402, [email protected] June 13-16, 2018 Causeway Bay Hotel, Lansing MI. Area E Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966, [email protected] Nov. 6, Carlinville, IL. M-WTCA.ORGBob Terry (618) 377-3421, [email protected] Fall 2018 Area N Sept. 26-29 2018, Marriott, Cedar Rapids, IA. Nov. 19, Panhandle Pioneer Settlement, Blountstown, FL. Larry Thorson (608) 779-0966, [email protected] Willard Smith (850) 674-2777, [email protected]

2017 M-WTCA Area Meetings

Area F Meeting Dates must be cleared with Jim Crammond, March 11-12, McCormick’s Creek State Park, Spencer, IN. (734) 241-0549 [email protected] Matt Borders (812) 824-9318, [email protected]

June 2016 3 CHAFF From President, need for a dues increase. There has also been growth in LeRoy Witzel endowment and scholarship donations as families of de- ceased members remember M-WTCA.

As I have said before, we are fortunate to have so many volunteers that make this organization run. One of our On the front cover of The Gristmill is an artist’s sketch “behind the scenes” workers that I would like to give a of a gristmill. This sketch was done by one of our long- special thank you for all his work, is Carl Gray. Carl sends time members James Baird. His obituary is in this issue. It a packet to each new member that includes: back issues was June 1979 that The Gristmill took on a new look. This of The Gristmill, Directory, and the special publication. symbol of our organization was drawn by Mr. Baird and This takes a lot of time, as well as trips to the post office depicts a true gristmill located at Cades Cove in the Great and finding places to store new member materials. Carl Smoky Mountain National Park. Mr. Baird spent 44 years has been doing this for quite a few years and according doing drawings and art work for the Hoards Dairyman to our Treasurer there have been over 1500 new members magazine which is sent to many dairy farms yet today. in the past two and one-half years alone. This service is Growing up on an Iowa farm in the 40s and 50s, I can re- certainly appreciated. member this magazine coming in the mail. I have three of The Gristmill is our worldwide ambassador! Each issue his detailed signed prints hanging on the wall in my office. contains educational articles, on-going features, reports They were purchased from him at an area meeting from and photos on area meetings, and semi-annual meetings. his sales table several years ago. We extend our sympathy Please continue to keep our Editor Bill Kolm supplied to the James Baird family and also our appreciation of him with articles. What a great variety we have in each issue sharing his artistic talent. of The Gristmill. The membership interests are so varied, Mark Eastlick and his committee are busy selecting the so it is good to have a variety of subjects in The Gristmill. scholarship winners. The M-WTCA auxiliary have recently It is hard to match the variety, educational value and per- donated $1500 to the scholarship fund. The Strategic Plan- sonal touch offered. ning Committee has been busy the past months and will I am looking forward to seeing many of you at our semi- be presenting information to the BOD at the June meeting. annual meeting in Des Moines, Iowa June 8th – 11th. The It is not too late to forward your comments to Ed Hobbs, Holiday Inn Hotel is hosting a free pork barbeque on the Committee Chairman. If you as a member have any con- evening of Wednesday, June 8th at 6 PM. Get your “name cerns about M-WTCA, contact your Director as he will be in the pot” by registering for it on your registration form. representing you at the BOD meeting. There is also the hospitality room later in the evening in Vaughn Simmons, Treasurer, indicates we have 3560 mem- which you can catch up on the latest with your friends. bers, with 363 new members. It looks like we are on target Be sure to be ready to hit the parking lot before dawn on to have over 3750 members by the end of the year. Mem- Thursday morning. A free hot breakfast is included with bers continue to donate funds above the $25 dues each your registration at this meeting. year. So far this year, $9200 has been donated for the Keep spreading the word. Many new members continue to advanced level funds. Mr. Simmons points out that with say “I would have joined sooner if I had only known about membership growth and good advanced giving, there is no M-WTCA.ORGM-WTCA”.

eBay by John Walkowiak Please consider placing an M-WTCA membership promotion in your listing or on your web site. This will be good for M-WTCA by providing the thousands of eBayer’s and online collectors who are looking at old tools and do not know about us, an easy means to make contact with our organization. This will also improve your credibility as a seller by showing your affiliation with M-WTCA. It will be a Win-Win situation for everyone! Just go to http://mwtca.org and click on the Selling on eBay bar on the left side of the homepage. Then simply copy and paste the promotion and add it to your listing where it best fits. It is simple and easy and will be a great help in exposing our great organization to the world. Also, do not forget to include a membership brochure in all the tools you send out. Please contact me and I will send a supply of membership brochures to you.

4 The Gristmill Fall Meeting-Louisville October 5-8 by Larry Thorson

The Ramada Plaza Hotel and Convention Cen- ing for quality tools for the Friday evening auction. If you ter Louisville, Kentucky will be the site of our have tools that you would like to sell and do not set up a trade table(s), please give some serious thought and bring 2016 Fall Semi-Annual Meeting October 5-8. The them to the Friday auction. nightly rate will be $85 which includes a hot breakfast and is good three days prior to and For those members that can only attend on Saturday, we three days following the meeting. The reserva- again are offering registration for ‘Saturday Only” with the trade room opening at 6:30 AM. The What’s It session will tion line is 1-800-345-2995. Make sure you men- be held in the Trade Room at 10:30 AM. Election of offi- tion M-WTCA. cers will take place at 2 PM prior to the Saturday men’s program. The men’s display theme will be Keeping Things on the Straight & Saturday evening we will close out Level “Levels and Plumb Bobs”. the meeting with a short business Displays are a very important part meeting, the banquet and enter- of our education and sharing fo- tainment by the West End Stomp- cus. During the dedicated Q&A ers (Blues & Dixieland Band). session on Friday morning before the trade room opens, you will Your hostess will be Catherine have an opportunity to share your Trahin. She has been busy plan- displays with others. We will have ning activities for the Auxiliary a large trade and display area so plan on bringing lots of as well as planning the tours. Tours planned for Thursday tools for sale or trade as well as displays. will travel to Buffalo Trace Distillery that has history tied to our Nations early, beginning from 1793. Some of the Thursday morning, tool trading will start early (bring a buildings were constructed in the early 1880s with large flashlight) in the parking lot across from the Convention timbers that are amazing. Another tour opportunity will Center. The men’s program on Thursday evening will fea- be visiting downtown Louisville with tours and other ac- ture a presentation by Jim Gehring on levels. On Friday the tivities in the works. Trade and Display room will open at 6:30 AM for display set up and loading in of tools. At 8:30 AM, displays will Look for registration materials in your mail box in mid- be ready for viewing followed by tool trading at 10 AM. August. Note the deadline for making hotel reservations Several demonstrators will be present in the Trade Room is September 13. Catherine and I look forward to seeing on Friday, demonstrating their skills with hand tools. Fri- old friends and meeting new ones in Louisville. We have day afternoon we will have a presentation on pocket tape arranged great programs for you and know you will have measures by George Wanamaker. Once again we are look- a great time.

Elections Report Hollis Feeser, VP ElectionsM-WTCA.ORG The snow is gone, the grass is getting greener and it is only (See page 38 of the March Gristmill). the beginning of spring. Mail from Area Directors inviting members to attend their tool meets is showing up, flea mar- If you enjoy tools, then why not help others to share in your kets are opening and I find myself looking at some of my enjoyment by volunteering to be of help in your Area. Of- collection with a longing to get to the next meet. It is spring. fer to work with your Area Directors and get a feel for the Area meets are being planned. Directors are in charge of position and step up and run for a Director seat in you Area. the planning and coordination of the details. Please get in touch if you have questions or suggestions Currently there are three Areas entitled to two or more Di- about the Area Directors position. rector’s but have only one and there are seven open seats

June 2016 5 AREA MEETINGS

Area A Meet by Bob Nelson

The Area A “Cabin Fever” Meet in Medina, MN. was on Fe- Two term retiring director, Rick Rayburn, received his re- burary 13, 2016. This year despite another below zero start, tirement plaque. Thanks Rick for all of your help at our 213 members and guests (and understanding spouses) meets and for the wonderful and fairly priced tools that you braved the cold and turned out for our 29th annual Area have sold to so many of us. “A” Medina Meet. Roxanne Vetsch and daughter Anna, registered folks from six states and enrolled 22 new M-WTCA A big thank you also to Rose Rayburn for working the reg- members. istration desk for the last six years.

Anna and Roxanne At Our Registration Table

Once again, we filled over 80 trade tables with a fantastic array of tools. There was something there for everyone. I did not see anyone leaving empty-handed. One of Mike Siemsen’s School of Woodworking students, Clyde Rog- ers, demonstrated the fine art of saw sharpening using his grandfather’s saw(s).

Rick Rayburn, Retiring Director M-WTCA.ORG

Trade Room Activity Clyde Rogers Demonstrates Saw Sharpening

6 The Gristmill AREA MEETINGS

This year we had 12 great displays:

1 Cecil Holmes – “Miller Patent Plane Type Study” – This is the most com- 4 Bill Ericson displayed the “Rarest plete display of the beautiful Charles of the Rare” No.2 planes. This was the G. Miller planes we have ever seen. Chaplin No. 2 – the only known exam- Very timely because the display shows ple of the plane with a wooden handle. so many of the planes talked about in Don Bosse’s article(s) in the December 2015 and March 2016 Gristmill.

7 Mike Bluhm displayed the most intricate and largest collection of miniature tools and miscellaneous items that I have ever seen. Mike estimates that it took him over 2000 hours of work over a period of many years to complete. 5 Steve McNulty - “Tools of the Cob- bler”. Steve shared his very complete 2 Joe Preusser – “A Whimsical Display collection of cobbler tools. He said he of Miniature Tool(s)” - Joe’s lamp in the could even fix my 15 year old boots, if photo was lit by an “Edison” bulb; circa I dared to wear them during the repair. 1900. The enclosed cylindrical portion provides a “dust free” environment for some of his smallest pieces. M-WTCA.ORG

8 Bob Nelson had a unique combined number and type study of Bailey/Stan- ley planes: Numbers 1- type 1; 2- type 6 Jim Keats brought a very old and 2; 3- type 3; 4- type 4; 4 1/2- type 4.5; interesting “Cobbler’s Driving Ham- (pre-lateral), 5-type 5; 5 1/2- type 5.5 3 Jim (son-of Joe) Preusser had a mer”. (1st corrugated); 6-type 6, 7- type 7, complete collection of “Calipers” – and 8- type 8. large, medium, and small – plain and extremely ornate.

June 2016 7 AREA MEETINGS

New Area A Director is Greg Vetsch who ran an interesting and informative “What’s-It” session. Thanks to all who brought all of their unidentified sta- tionary objects. The Ladies Auxiliary renewed their friendships and exchanged stories 12 Hollis Feeser’s display was titled about their travels and the latest great “Openers from the Pre-Pull Tab Era”. “finds” made by their husbands. Kath- This brought back memories of the 6 leen Holmes writes a great column in the oz. Coca-Cola bottle, O-So Grape, Dad’s 9 Pat Feeser – Pat always brings great Gristmill titled “From the Other Side of Root Beer, and Grandpa’s Fitgers Beer. women’s displays. This year she shared the Bed”. Check it out. It is a great read. just a portion of her fine collection of tailor’s tools and templates. Display award winners: Welcome to all of our new members. This is a great organization and I hope Best Woman’s Dsplay – Pat Feeser you will enjoy it as much as I have. Best Single Tool – Bill Ericson Best Out of Theme – Cecil Holmes Thanks again to everyone who braved Best In Theme – Steve McNulty the cool, clear Minnesota morning to People’s Choice – Mike Bluhm attend our meet.

10 Greg Vetsch displayed what is ar- guably the finest and most labor inten- sive level ever made. It is Rosewood with many intricate German silver in- lays. Greg recently acquired this fine piece from Mel Miller.

Greg Vetsch runs the “What’s It?” Session M-WTCA.ORG

11 John Walkowiak brought a fes- tive valentine themed display titled The Lovely Ladies of Our Women’s Auxiliary “Hearts and Bows”. These were rare and unique tools that formed a heart, were cast with a heart, or cut into a Please join us at Medina next year on February 1, 2017. heart (via the rib cage and sternum).

8 The Gristmill ‘Carlson & Sullivan’ Incorporated Of Monrovia, California by George Wanamaker

Carlson & Sullivan Incorporated of Monrovia, Carlson filed a patent application on March 13, 1931, which California, made tape measures. The company was granted September 17, 1935, #2,014,375. This patent was assigned to Mayhew Steel Products and was for a tape was officially started in 1945, incorporating in measure with a drum, around which the blade was wrapped California on February 15, certificate of incorpo- when retracted, mounted on a plate which semi-floated in ration #576,036. It was formed by Frederick O. the case. It worked as a regular push/pull tape measure un- Carlson, the idea man, and Andrew J. Sullivan, less a button on the side of the case was pushed. Then the the money man. blade would exit the case on its own, due to the tension in the concave/convex blade. On May 8, 1944, when Carlson filed for patent #2,410,713, he was living in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. When this patent was This was an attempt to make a tape measure with both a granted on November 5, 1946, Carlson was listed as the pat- push/pull action and an action similar to the original Far- entee and Sullivan was granted half the rights. This patent rand tape measure, which would automatically exit the was for a locking closure over the blade extension hole on case when the two side handles were squeezed. I have seen the case of a tape measure. At this time, there are no tape only three Mayhew tapes of this type so far, none have a measures known that used this feature. side button which works at all. This may however, be due to dirt and corrosion built up over many years inside the case. Thus, Carlson & Sullivan Incorporate was founded. It is believed they were producing tape measures in early 1945. This tape measure’s case was nickel plated and stamped as The first tape measure production only had the Carlson follows: “PAT’S PENDING MODEL A MADE IN U.S.A. BY name on them. It was on the applied label. After a very MAYHEW” in a circle around the outside edge of the front short time, as indicated by numbers extant, “Carlson & Sul- with “MAYHEW” in a triangle at the bottom. livan” was added, cast on the lower back of the case, and all Two things are unclear at this time. When was this first succeeding tape measures were labeled Carlson & Sullivan. marketed? A good guess is before the patent was granted, Frederick O. Carlson possibly as early as 1932. Second, was this Mayhew’s second or third production tape measure?* They also made Even though Carlson & Sullivan Incorporated started in a tape very similar to this one which pulled out but was 1945, Frederick O. Carlson had a background in the tape wound back in with a crank on the back. measure business pre-dating this by at least 15 years. He had worked for Mayhew Steel Products and Master Rule By 1935, Carlson had moved on to Master Rule Manufactur- Manufacturing Company previously. ing Company in New York City. It was here that he filed a patent application on March 18, 1935, which was granted Carlson was born in 1899. The next reference found that he February 9, 1937, #2,070,255. This was for an attachment to was living in Los Angeles, California, in 1920. It was to this a wooden zig zag type folding rule, which could be used as a area Monrovia, California, that he returned in the mid 1940s caliper. It also included for the same type rule, a solid metal to start his company. leg with measurements on it. These could be used to replace either one or both wooden end sections of the rule to No information is known about Carlson between 1920 and increase wear characteristics. Master produced Metal End 1930*. Conjecture is that he left California moving to the rules for sale under this patent. A rule with one metal end east coast to attend engineering school and upon graduat- was #278, a rule with two metal ends was #378. ing was hired by Mayhew Steel Products Company to design and supervise manufacturingM-WTCA.ORG their tape measures. At Carlson filed another patent application on November 6, this time, Carlson lived in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. 1937, which was granted May 5, 1939, #2,160,304, and as- Carlson was probably the master mind behind the Mayhew signed to Master Rule Manufacturing Company. This cov- Steel Products tape measure program. ered a redesigned extension joint for the Master Slide Rule, a measuring rule not a calculation rule. It is unknown if Mayhew’s first tape measure was a heavily nickel plated they used this improvement in their slide rule. push button return tape measure available with either a four or a six foot blade. This push button retraction tech- Carlson applied for and received two other patents which nology was based on C. B. Hayward’s patent #1,992,947 filed were unrelated to rules; first, a patent for a safety ash tray, September 18, 1930, issued March 5, 1931 and purchased by application filed October 8, 1932, granted March 26, 1936, Mayhew Steel Products Company. That tape measure was and second, a patent for a grade-o-meter, application filed on the market by 1930 as is evidenced by advertisements August 13, 1941 granted February 8, 1942, which could tell from that time period in “Popular Science Magazine”. the grade of a hill an automobile was trying to climb or de- scend. Both patents were registered only to Frederick O.

June 2016 9 Carlson, and at this time neither seems to have reached the The 220, 320, and Hobby series cases remained the same production stage. until H. K. Porter bought the company in 1958. They changed the black lettering and numbering to red on the la- Carlson worked for Mayhew Steel Products on tape mea- bel and changed the words on the lower back from “MADE sures from 1929 or earlier, receiving at least one known pat- IN U.S.A.” to “CARLSON & SULLIVAN”. Soon after, H. K. ent which he assigned to them. By the mid 1930s, he moved Porter changed “Carlson & Sullivan” on the back to “H. K. to Master Rule Manufacturing Company and worked until Porter” and added Carlson to the front label. at least 1940, receiving two known patents which he assigned to them. Most of the information above has been drawn from patent records and obituaries. Starting with 1948, the information By 1944, he had left Master and had moved to Cleveland was also found in magazine advertisements, a few catalogs, Heights, Ohio. It is not known why he moved there or what and on fliers. Even with these sources, information on Fred- he did when he got there. By early 1945, he had relocated erick Carlson and Carlson & Sullivan Inc. is incomplete. to Monrovia, California, ready to found his own company, Carlson & Sullivan Incorporated. New Ideas

Carlson & Sullivan Incorporated Carlson & Sullivan was a very innovative company. The following ideas were leading technology for tape measures Carlson & Sullivan made very high quality tape measures when they were introduced. Later, other companies in or- from the very start of the company. They were also a very der to keep up, were influenced to offer similar changes to innovative company, patenting and producing tape mea- their tape measures. sures with innovations seen on tape measures for the first time. Many of these innovations were later used by other The 10 second blade change was probably introduced in tape measure manufacturers. 1945 or 1946, following the practice of using an improvement as soon as the patent application was filed. The quick The first tape measures produced were 120, Hobby; 220, change blade was patent #2,510,939 filed on February 15, Chief; and 320, White Chief series. Each line included a 1945, and granted June 6, 1950. This patent also covered a six and an eight foot measure. The 220 and 320 series had new design for the blade coiling mechanism. This mecha- a chrome plated D shaped case, with an applied color la- nism was also used almost immediately. This gave them bel. The case had two halves with a small checked design, a competitive advantage; other companies still needed to which butt together. The Chief models #226, six foot and open the case to change the blade. Much later other compa- #228, eight foot had a nickel plated ½ inch wide blade, while nies notably Stanley Tool Company in the mid 1950s, devel- the White Chief #326 six foot and the #328 eight foot had ½ oped an easy change blade. inch wide white blades. Both had black numbers and were graduated in sixteenths. The patent for this white blade In 1948 or 1949, a #2210 Chief was introduced having the #2,089,209, belonged to Adolph W. Keuffel and Walter Go- same type of case and label as the #226 and #228, but with tham of K+E Keuffel and Esser Company. Carlson either a ten foot, nickel plated blade. “Popular Mechanics Maga- paid a royalty to use this patent or he purchased blades, zine” dated November 1949, had a Carlson & Sullivan ad- ready made from K+E. vertisement which stated, “Get the Chief…You’ll be money ahead when you get the Chief. 6 ft., 8 ft., 10 ft.” This indi- How can the first models of the 220 and 320 series be identi- cates that it was available in November of 1949. However, it fied? On the applied red and silver label, blade length and is not being listed as new at the time of this advertisement. model numbers were printed in black. Also, on the lower back was cast “MADE IN U.S.A.”. After the early production, within a year or two M-WTCA.ORGthe length and model number were no longer black and “CARLSON & SULLIVAN” re- placed “MADE IN U.S.A.”

The Hobby #126 six foot and #128 eight foot had a round 2 ¾ inch diameter case with an applied red and silver colored label, and a nickel plated blade with black numbers. The blades were marked in sixteenths. The very first #126, made either as a sample or give-a-way for the first sales represen- tative, a Mr. Hall (first name unknown at this time), appears to have been purchased from Master Rule Manufacturing A photo rule which could be attached to a camera to measure appropriate distance Company. It matches all the characteristics of the Master from the object being photographed. Monitor of 1947, except the blade is white.

10 The Gristmill In 1949 the Foto Rule was introduced shortly after a patent Recently an advertisement dated 1962 introducing them, was applied for. The Foto Rule was attached to a camera to has come to light for Carlson Disston Roto-End tape mea- measure distance from an object being photographed to the sures, #3210RE, 10 foot, #3212RE, 12 foot, and #3215RE, camera. It sold for $2.95 in 1949. At this time, it is unclear 15 foot. It was supposed to take a more accurate inside how long it was available. measurement. The first two inches of tape swung aside on a rivet. I have never seen one of these. Interestingly, this blade is shown with the “swing tip” on it too.

On September 10, 1949, Carlson filed a patent application for a newly designed tape measure case. Besides the new design, the patent specified use of a material new to Carlson & Sullivan, (plastic) to make the case. This patent was granted November 4, 1952, and assigned to Carlson & Sullivan Inc. This patent was the basis for the Carlson & Sullivan Buddy and Princess tape measures. The Buddy was probably being marketed by 1950. At this time, it is not known when the Princess was first marketed and for The Li’l Devil was also introduced as a printer rule in 1949. how long. This author would present the case that the Princess tape went into production in the early 1950s also, It was not until 1951 that the White Chief #3210 was in- competing with Master Rule Manufacturing’s Lady’s Man troduced. An advertisement in “Popular Mechanics Maga- tape measure, designed as a sewing tape for women. The zine,” dated October 1951 read, “Yes, here it is – that ex- Buddy was available in black plastic and the Princess was tra length you’ve always wanted…120 inches of accurate, available in yellow, white, and turquoise plastic. Other col- more useful, measuring ease. Jet black markings on a wear ors of both may have been made. This is however unclear resistant, acid resistant, snow white blade.” Because of at this time. The Buddy is more common than the Princess this “snow white blade”, the advertisement had to be for which may indicate a longer production time. the White Chief. It was the same case and label as the #326 and #328, with a longer ½ inch wide blade. An advertisement in “Popular Mechanics Magazine” introduced the #3310 Big Chief in 1952. It had a 10 foot, ¾ inch Following the Carlson & Sullivan lead, Master introduced wide, white blade with a “swing tip”. 10 and 12 foot tape measures in 1953 or 1954. Then in 1954, Stanley introduced the #3210 and in 1955 the #3212. Though Carlson & Sullivan led, Master produced a ¾ inch wide blade for the Big Boy DeLuxe and Big Boy Special That advertisement for the White Chief, goes on to men- tape measures in 1954. Stanley Tool Company also made tion the famous 10 second blade change and the “new” a ¾ inch wide blade for their #3410 and #3412 in late 1954. convenient “swing tip”. The “swing tip” was new in 1951. The patent application was filed January 1, 1951. Its use In 1954, Carlson & Sullivan introduced a tape rule with a had started by October of 1951 or earlier. Patent #2,629,180 16 foot long blade, ¾ inch wide, called the Super Chief. was received for the “swing tip” on February 24, 1953. The It was designed to make it easier for one man to take ex- “swing tip” was designed to allow a tape measure to take tended lateral and vertical measurements. The blade was an accurate inside measurement. It eliminated the mea- white with black markings in a 2 ½ inch square case weigh- surement being off by the thickness of the tip. ing 6 ¾ ounces. The blade was wound into the case with a crank on the back. Later Master, Stanley, and Lufkin patented their own version of the swing tip. MasterM-WTCA.ORG in the mid 1950s, patented a Two tape measures, the Chieftain and the Roto-End, were tip hook that folded back under the blade taking away the not introduced until after H. K. Porter purchased the com- thickness of the hook as a mistake. Stanley in 1955, pat- pany. The Chieftain was introduced around 1963. It had a 1 ented the “Tru-Hook”. It was designed to slide back under ½ inch square chrome plated case with an applied stick on the blade on the rivets holding it to the blade, thus elimi- label. The blade was white, ¼ inch wide, with a swing tip. nating the mistake in measurement of the thickness of the It was graduated in 8ths, 16ths, and 32nds. It is unknown hook. In the end, Stanley’s “Tru-Hook” won the popularity when the Roto-End was introduced. The blade of this tape contest. Over the years it was used by many other compa- measure had the “swing tip” and an added feature, the first nies becoming the industry standard because its improved two inches of the blade would rotate to the side allowing design was the simplest to use. The Carlson & Sullivan an inside reading taken at the usual point, using the case “swing tip” however, remained in use by Disston Carlson as part of the measurement. The swing aside end meant at least into the 1990s, but only by them. that no math was needed to add two inches to the reading

June 2016 11 Five different models of Carlson tapes. Dating is approximate. Left to right, Model 1: 1945-1956, Model 2: 1947-1958, Model 3: 1958-1959 (immediately after purchase by Evans), Model 4: 1959-1961, and Model 5 using the same back as Model 4 and a stick on label 1962- ??. for the length of the case. These were available in 10 foot, ditional Carlson & Sullivan case design with stick on ap- #3210RE, 12 foot, #3212RE, and 15 foot, #3215RE, lengths. plied color label advertising on the front. The blade was white, ½ inch wide, with a swing tip end. The second, the To this point, all Carlson & Sullivan tape measure blades Billboard #96, six foot and #98, eight foot had a new case discussed have been of the concave-convex type. The last design. Looking at the front, the case was rectangular, but Carlson & Sullivan products to discuss were their long, flat when viewed from top or bottom, it was widest in the mid- tapes. On December 16, 1955, Carlson filed a patent ap- dle and tapered down toward each end. The advertising plication for a tape coiling mechanism for long, flat tapes. was an applied color label covering the entire front of the This was the beginning of long, flat tape production by case. The blade was ¼ inch wide and white, with a swing Carlson & Sullivan Incorporated, which probably started tip. Carlson was stamped in the bottom of the case. Both almost immediately. cases were nickel plated.

They made two lines of flat tapes, Super Chief 400 line There are tape measures of this last type marked Barlow which included the #425, 25 foot, #450, 50 foot, and #4100, and Japan on the bottom. There is no known connection 100 foot; and the Star 500 line which included the #525, 25 with Carlson Disston at this time. foot, #550, 50 foot, and #5100, 100 foot. Both lines were returned to the case with a crank on the back. The only Besides two new advertising cases, all of the regular line real difference was the Super Chief which used a nickel cases including Chief, White Chief, Big Chief, Super Chief, plated blade with black markings, while the Star used a Chieftain, Buddy, and Hobby, could also be purchased white blade with black markings. with applied color advertising labels on them, instead of the regular company label. By this time, regular company Advertising tape measures wereM-WTCA.ORG also produced in the Carl- labels were also stick on labels. son & Sullivan line. From the start of the company until 1958, any pocket tape measure 120, 220, 320 or 330 series Carlson & Sullivan Becomes a Division of Disston could be purchased as an advertising give-a-way. The advertisement could be placed on the applied label replacing The above patent application for long, flat blade tape the Carlson Sullivan information that was normally there, measures, was granted July 7, 1959, #2,893,656. It was or more rarely it could be stamped into the case. In some assigned to H. K. Porter, indicating that Porter had now cases it was in both these places on the same measure. taken over the company and that possibly Carlson was still employed by Carlson & Sullivan, now a Division of Sometime after being sold to H. K. Porter probably in the Disston. At this time Frederick O. Carlson was living in mid 1960s, they introduced two new advertising tapes. Arcadia, California. The Booster #36, six foot and #38, eight foot, used the tra-

12 The Gristmill The Carlson & Sullivan tape measure continued to be pro- Works and the Tacony, by Harry C. Silcox, when it stated: duced for many years to come. At the time of the sale 1958 or 1959, the applied label was changed. The Carlson name “Porter also received about $500,000 a year in deprecia- was moved to the top and H.K. Porter was added at the tion due to the high valuation of Disston assets. Disston’s bottom. Everything else remained the same including the losses in 1953 and 1954 offered Porter a tax loss of ap- case, and the colors, red and silver of the label. proximately $3.25 million, which, when applied against H. K. Porter’s earnings, gave Evans large tax benefits in 1956, By 1964 or earlier, the applied color label was also changed. 1957, and 1958.” It became three colors, red, green, and silver roughly in thirds. The green section on top was printed Disston and “Later the Disston holdings were combined with a new directly underneath this, Carlson. At the bottom was the purchase, that of Carlson & Sullivan Inc. of Monrovia, Cali- number, length, and name of the tape. The bottom of the fornia, a maker of tape and steel rules that did $1 million back of the case “H. K. Porter Company Inc.” was cast in worth of business in a year. The new company was called raised letters. Carlson Rules and Measures/Henry Disston Division. Carl- son was a cash maker and Disston provided a tax shelter.” A scarcer label that is sometimes found, was used either right before or right after the above. It also had the three Thus the sale was later than Evan’s 1958 tax benefits, but color format. At the top in the green space was “DISSTON” by July 1959 Carlson was assigning new patents to H. K. over “CARLSON” in a small oval; on the left in orange was Porter. The Evans mentioned above was Thomas Mellon “HKP”; in the bottom silver space was line 1, the length Evans a financier who owned H. K. Porter, a holding com- of the tape, i.e. “12 ft.”, line 2, the name of the tape, i.e. pany which bought up struggling businesses. He was no “Big Chief”, and line 3, the number, i.e. “No. 3312”. On the relation to John Joseph Evans from Union, New Jersey, back of the case was “H. K. Porter” cast at the bottom with who started Evans Rule Manufacturing in Elizabeth, NJ. “HKP” in a circle in the middle. Carlson & Sullivan produced quality tape measures from its very inception. They were a very innovative company, but stayed solely with the production of tape measures until they were purchased by H. K. Porter in 1958-59. Frederick Carlson stayed with the company and probably continued to work for H.K. Porter for a time after the purchase. The Disston Carlson name remained on tape measures for many years.*

Front and back of an uncommon Disston Carlson Tape measure. I want to express my thanks to Irwin Sitkin Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Aventura, Florida, for the information and the assistance he provided to me, while writing this As time passed into the late 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s further article. changes were made to the case and label. But one thing pretty much remained constant, the Carlson and Disston names remained on the case and/or label.

The sale of Carlson & Sullivan to Disston came about because Disston, a well knownM-WTCA.ORG name in hand tools especially *Any information you may have concerning these saws, had a large tax advantage due to depreciation of its companies or their products would be appreciated. high valuation of assets, which could offset the large in- Please contact me at: come of Carlson & Sullivan. H. K. Porter, a holding com- [email protected] (email), pany headquartered in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, purchased 309-255-2406 (cell phone), Disston about 1952 or 1953. In 1958 H. K. Porter purchased 321 S. Lafayette, Macomb, IL. 61455 (mail address). the cash rich Carlson & Sullivan Incorporated. Pairing the two together, a good income and a tax loss made perfect financial sense.

The 1958-59 sale date is supported on page 178 of the book, A Place to Live and Work the Henry Disston Saw

June 2016 13 Carlson & Sullivan Tape Measures

Number Name Year Introduced** Number Name Year Introduced**

#24 Li’l Devil 1949 Printers #3210RH White Chief 10 ft. Between 1951 and ’56 (Right Hand) #32M White Chief 2 m. ?? Metric only #3210RE Roto-End 10 ft. 1962 #36 Booster 6 ft. 1960s Advertising Rule (Available in white, Engineer’s, Decimal, #3212C Contractors Rule Mid to late 1960s ?? Diameter, and Printer’s) #3212RE Roto-End 12 ft. 1962 #38 Booster 8 ft. 1960s Advertising Rule (Available in white, Engineer’s, Decimal, #3215RE Roto-End 15 ft. 1962 Diameter, and Printer’s) #3310 Big Chief 10 ft. 1952 #66 Buddy 6 ft. 1950 (Available in black, white, #3310LW Big Chief 10 ft. 1950s (Light weight case, alumi- and yellow) num) #66 Princess 6 ft. 1950s early?? (Available in tur- #3312 Big Chief 12 ft. 1954 quoise, white, and yellow) #3312LW Big Chief 12 ft. 1950s (Light weight case, alumi- #76 Chieftain 6 ft. 1963 num) #78 Chieftain 8 ft. 1963 #33101 Big Chief 10 ft. 1960s Log measure (6-18 ft.), #710 Chieftain 10 ft. 1963? Scribner

#96 Billboard 6 ft. 1960s (Advertising, ¼ inch wide #33102 Big Chief 10 ft. 1960s Log measure (20-40 ft.), blade) Scribner

#98 Billboard 8 ft. 1960s (Advertising, ¼ inch wide #3410 Power Chief 10 ft. 1960s Push button return blade) #3412 Power Chief 12 ft. 1960s Push button return #126 Hobby 6 ft. 1945 #3510 Contractor Rule 10 ft. Mid to late 1960’s (push button #128 Hobby 6 ft. 1945 return like Power Chief)

#126TE Hobby 6 ft. Between 1951 and ’56 (Engi- #3512 Contractor Rule 12 ft. Mid to late 1960’s (push button neer’s) return like Power Chief)

#128TE Hobby 8 ft. Between 1951 and ’56 (Engi- #400 Megacycle Early 1950s (Measures standing neer’s) wave for radios)

#21P Hobby Between 1951 and ’56 (Diameter #416 Super Chief 16 ft. 1954 to 21 in.) #425 Super Chief 25 ft. 1955 Flat tape #160 Foto-Rule 1949 #450 Super Chief 50 ft. 1955 Flat tape #226 Chief 6 ft. 1945 #4100 Super Chief 100 ft. 1955 Flat tape #228 Chief 8 ft. 1945 M-WTCA.ORG#525 Star Chief 25 ft. 1955 Flat tape #2210 Chief 10 ft. 1949 #550 Star Chief 50 ft. 1955 Flat tape #326 White Chief 6 ft. 1945 #5100 Star Chief 100 ft. 1955 Flat tape #328 White Chief 8 ft. 1945 #650 Speed Chief 100 ft. 1960s Flat tape #328D White Chief 8 ft. Between 1951 and ‘56 Diameter #675 Speed Chief 100 ft. 1960s Flat tape #328TE White Chief 8 ft. Between 1951 and ’56 Engineer’s #6100 Speed Chief 100 ft. 1960s Flat tape #3210 White Chief 10 ft. 1951

#3210TE White Chief 10 ft. Between 1951 and ’56 (Engineer’s **Carlson & Sullivan Incorporation before 1958, Disston Carlson after 1958.

14 The Gristmill Big-Boy’s Tools traditional digging bar and post-hole auger for size comparison. Lest We When we think of large tools, we often think of tools used in build- The post-hole auger (on the bottom, Forget ing and operating railroads. But the without handle) is almost 4 feet long transportation of electricity also re- and weighs 7 pounds. The tradition- by Bob Roger quired large tools. If you have driven al digging bar above it is 6 feet long along those straight, never-ending and weighs 17 pounds. I use one of Lest We Forget is a roads in the flatter regions of our these regularly to tamp ballast under series of short articles, country, you certainly have noticed the ties on a miniature railroad (1/5 each about a tool the lines of power and telephone scale) that I help maintain and it sure or implement that poles that seem to disappear in the tuckers me out. was once a common distance. Did you ever think about who dug the holes for all those poles, Above the traditional digging bar is household, farm, or and how they did it? the lineman’s digging bar. It is 1.25 trade necessity, but inches in diameter and 8 feet 1 inch whose use or existence They used a digging bar and a post- long. It weighs 36 pounds and will may soon be forgotten. hole spoon and dug them by hand. In build a 6 pack on your tummy in a regions of high snow drifts the poles hurry, if you can handle it. The spoon had to be higher, and that meant at the top is 8 feet 9 inches long and deeper holes. Shown in Figure 1 are the blade is 8 5/8 inches wide, but it a lineman’s post-hole spoon and dig- only weighs 8.5 pounds because of its ging bar. They are shown above a light wood handle. Figure 1. Big Tools So the next time you see one of these big-boys tools, think about the thousands of miles of holes and the men who dug them by hand because they do not do it that way anymore. They deserve to be remembered.

by Bob Roger There is something fishy about this tool family. Do you know what it is? Shown here are TOOL three prominent members. FAMILY TREESM-WTCA.ORG

Answer on page 24

June 2016 15 An English Compass: The Story of Two London Instrument Makers by Dick Bradshaw

It is interesting what a small instrument, in this The older of the two partners, Caesar Tagliabus, was born case an English compass, can reveal if a person near Como, Italy in 1767. After emigrating to England, he entered the instrument business in London in 1795 at 294 takes the time to investigate the information that Holborn. By the end of the 18th century the Holborn area the instrument provides. Sometimes the informa- of London had become a popular location for instrument tion leads to a dead end and sometimes the infor- makers to locate their business. Between 1801 and 1805 Ta- mation leads to an interesting story as is the case gliabue was in partnership with Anthony Della Torre. anoth- with this small compass. er Italian, at 294 Holborn. This partnership was short lived and was succeeded by Tagliabue and Company in 1806 at 26 Shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is a small, early, precision made High Holborn. Between 1806 and 1839 Tagliabue’s business case crafted in London, England between 1838 and 1846 by was located at several addresses including 11 Brook Street, Tagliabue and Casella whose business was located at 23 28 Cross Street in Hatton Garden and 26 High Holborn, all Hatton Garden. The compass case is made of mahogany in the Holborn area of London. It was not uncommon for in- and measures 2 and 3/4” x 2 and 3/4” x 5/8”. The compass strument makers to change their business locations a num- dial or face is extremely well detailed and is marked with ber of times One of the primary reasons, especially for the the maker’s names circling the needle pivot point as can be more successful makers was the need for additional space seen in Figure 3. The 2” long needle is raised and lowered to produce the number of instruments required to supply by a spring activated needle lifter operated by opening and the increasing demand from their customers. The creation closing the lid of the case. The excellent condition of the and dissolution of partnerships, which was common among compass indicates that it has been well cared for during it’s 170 years of existence.

Research has revealed that this compass represents the end of the career of one prominent English instrument maker, Caesar Tagliabue, and the beginning of the career of another, Luigi Pasquale Casella who was to become a prominent and very successful instrument maker in London under the Anglicanized name of Louis Pascal Casella. Tagliabue and Casella were two of the many English instrument makers with an Italian heritage. Review of English instrument makers of the 18th and 19th centuries indicates that those with an Italian name tended to enter into partnerships with others from Italy. M-WTCA.ORG

Figure 1 Figure 2

16 The Gristmill instrument makers, was another reason. Some were forced to move as the result of fires in their brass casting facilities.

Caesar Tagliabue was the father of Marie Louise Tagliabue who married Luigi P. Casella 1837 while he was employed by Caesar Tagliabue. In 1838, the partnership of Tagliabue and Casella was formed and their business was located at 23 Hatton Garden until 1846. Caesar Tagliabue died in 1847 after approximately 50 years in the instrument business. After Tagliabue’s death, management of the business was assumed by Casella and the name of the business was changed to Casella and Company in 1848. Under Casella the business grew and thrived and in 1851 Casella exhibited instruments, including theodolites and other surveying equipment at the Great Exhibition held in the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park in London. Figure 3 Casella prospered and soon obtained appointments to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales (eldest son of Queen dust monitoring equipment for the mining industry. In 1998, Victoria who later became King Edward the VII) and to sev- the company acquired Computer CEL Engineering Limited eral government agencies. The most prestigious honor for Instruments, manufacturers of noise and vibration moni- a mathematical instrument maker in England was to be ap- toring equipment and operated under the name of Casella pointed as instrument maker to the King. Casella’s 1871 cat- CEL. Their primary business was the design and manufac- alog stated that he was “maker to the Admiralty, Board of turing of air quality, meteorology and noise measurement Trade, Board of Ordinance and the Government and Obser- equipment. The company is still in business as of the date vatories of India, Russia, Spain, Portugal, the United States of this article, although a very different company than the and the Brazils”. He was also a major supplier to the British one started by L.P. Casella in 1848. This is an excellent ex- army. Among his prominent customers ample of a company that has survived were Charles Darwin and Dr. Livings- As seen in this article, a small for 167 years by adapting to the chang- ton. Casella had become one of the ing needs of the market. dominant instrument makers in Great item from your collection can Brittan at a time when there 1631 in- reveal an interesting story if As seen in this article, a small item from strument makers in London and 2650 you know where to look, are your collection can reveal an interest- in Great Brittan in 1851. ing story if you know where to look, curious and are willing to take are curious and are willing to take the Between 1848 and 1897 the company the time to do a little research. time to do a little research. The effort operated under several names includ- can be quite rewarding and can add ing Louis Casella and Company [1848-1857], L.P. Casella much to the history of your instrument or tool. [1858-1871] and L. Casella [1871-1897]. The name Casella and Company may also been used between 1848 and 1860. When performing historical research, information and par- In 1871 the company movedM-WTCA.ORG to 147 Holborn Bars. Upon ticularly dates may vary depending on the document con- the death of L.P. Casella in 1897 and with his son Charles sulted. The subject included in this article is no exception. Frederick in charge, the company’s name was changed to Your comments will be appreciated, especially concerning C.F. Casella and Company followed by Casella and Com- how long Casells remained in the scientific instrument busi- pany LTD in 1910.The same year the company moved to ness after 1926. 11-15 Rochester Road. Although the company was still in the instrument business in 1926, it is not known how long the company remained in the scientific instrument business after that date. It is known however, that the Casella company entered the electronics business in 1952 and sold the business in 1957. During the 50s Casella designed and built

June 2016 17 M-WTCA Advanced Levels of Membership & Additional Gifts for 2015

BENEFACTORS Robert Terry Carlton K. Fahler Gordon McDugle Joe H. Thome Sr. John Fite Michael E. McGee Thomas R. Bruce Roy Underhill Jack Fites Jr Tim Meek Ram Cnaan Carl Underwood Thomas Fitton Patrick Meyer Norm Cottrell Paul E. VanHorn Richard Foltz Scott Miller Andrew D’Elia Darrell Vogt Doug Fowler Ben Mixon Bob Fields Michael Weichbrod Harry Fowler William J. Morgan Thomas L. Gallerani Jon Whitney Joseph Frendreiss John Morrison Judy Gambrel Lon Woods Richard A. Fuller Sanford Moss Karl Gurcke Gary L. Wright Alvin Furrer Michael Mueller Chuck Hartman Mark Wyatt Rick Gayle Donald Mueller Peter J. Hathaway Robert Glazier David L. Murdoch Jared Isaacs Ronnie Glover Gordon Murdock David B. Johnston CONTRIBUTING Thomas E. Goodrch Robert W. Mustain Jr. Tom Jordens MEMBERS Ron Grabowski Tom Narigon Paul S. Matis III Wesley Groot Steven W. Neale Vernon F. Meyer Jim Ackelson Charles Hall Pete Niederberger James V. Moffet Averil Dean Aldridge George Hall Timothy Nowicki Joel Moskowitz William C. Auld Gregory Ham Timothy Nustad Bob Nutt Bob Austin Bobby Hartness Leeroy J. Osterbauer Wayne Oestreich Philip W. Baker Ray Hayles Norman P. Otto Wai S. Won James Ballinger Don Hefley John Parker Bill Youart Thomas A. Ballintine Ed Hennessy Michael Pershinsky Robert Balmer Thomas A. Henry John Peter James Barbieur Steve Hilyard William Pickett SUSTAINING Gene Bauer Alan Hochhalter G. William Pogson MEMBERS Evan Berodt Paul Honore Frank E. Postle Bill Blandin Lyle Hoofnagle Michael Power Jeff Conn Don Boyer Dana Horton Millard Price Dr. John Conrardy Alan W. Brown Victor Hotho Christopher Quinn David Dell Robert A. Brown Ronald Howard Dennis Racki Roy Ebersole Robert(Buz) Buskirk J.D. Hutson Ron Radice George Elsass Michael Cairns Howard Jenner Frederick Rainer John Fitzgerald Glenn A. Campbell Michael Johns Ron Rawlinson Dennis Fuller Fritz Carmine Robert Kendra Ronald R. Reiter Chalmers Gordon James Cascarano Gary Kinnunen Jay Reynolds Dr. Thomas B. Hall III Arlet E. Cassaidy Robert Kolp Robert C. Riese Terry Haver Henry L. Caudle Bryan A. Konsler Thomas Roberts Ronald Holwager Donald Cavner Bohdan Kostyshyn Mike Rodemeyer Chris Kuehn Richard L. Chapman Leonard Kramer Adrian S Rodgers Harold J. Liberty Jr. Gerald W. Clearwater Joe Kunz Bobby Delane Roland Robert R. Llewellyn Alan Clodi Walt Lane Larry Rose Howard Loomis Jr. M-WTCA.ORGBill Collins Chuck Latterell William H. Rypka James E. Merrill Nelson Coressel Jr. Edward Laughlin Alan Sadler Rollie Peter Joseph Curran Paul League Paul Schaffner Allen Roderick Roy Dale Bill Lemke Steven Schamber Joseph Rossin Patrick T. Daly Jerry Lilja Gerald C. Schmidt Howard Sands Tyler Denham Lon Lindsey Gary L. Schrader Clifford Sapienza Joseph Di Maio Keith Lindsey Gary Scoggins John Schneider Chris Dimon Leo Maack Carl Seltrecht George Snow Henry Disston Jr. John Machey Colleen Gildea Shaffer William T. Storey Thomas Dugan James Mau Vaughn Simmons Robert Stoxen Guss Esham Robert Maus Greg Simpson

18 The Gristmill M-WTCA Advanced Levels of Membership & Additional Gifts for 2015

Irwin J. Sitkin Herbert G. Caudle Robert Meadows ENDOWMENT Steve Snowberger John Cellucci Scott Moffett IN MEMORY OF Mark Snyder Larry Chenoweth Ross R. Morcomb DAVID MCDONALD Harry Spoor Espen H. Christensen Michael Mueller Gene St. Louis Gerald W. Clearwater Hayes Murphy William Watkins Robert Stamer Chris Cobb Robert W. Mustain Jr. Kenneth Sterling Jack Cope New England Tool Collectors Michael Stich J.B. Cox Association PRESERVATION Robert Stidfole Michael Crowley Jim Obrien AND EDUCATION Judd Sulfridge Dale Cubranich Wayne Oestreich CONTRIBUTORS Don Taylor Andrew D’Elia Wayne R. Olson John Thoele John Davis Robert Parke Doug Cox Frederic S Thompson Bruce DeLong Bruce Perry Paula Cox Barry Thompson Larry DeWolf Lyle Peterson Richard Torgerson Richard D. Dickerson Roger Phillips David Paul Trueblood Gail Dieleman John Plumb SCHOLARSHIP Russell Turner James Durochia Hans Porcher CONTRIBUTORS Theodore A. Ulrich James F. Earnhardt John Porritt Jim Vyhlidal Philip Eberhard Paul P. Pyrcik Jr. David Harwood Gene Walbridge Hollis Feeser John Rauth John G. Wells John Walkowiak Jr. Alan L. Fetty John A. Reed M-WTCA Auxiliary William J. Ward Jr. Mark Firley V. Leon Ridenour Thomas Warwick John Fitzgerald Mel Ring Mel Westmoreland Michael Garlich Bret L. Rochotte SCHOLARSHIP Arthur B. White Jr. Ronnie Glover Robert J. Sauer IN MEMORY OF Anne C. Wing Bob Gollner L. Samuel Scheiderer JOEL HODAPP LeRoy E. Witzel Jeff Grothaus Richard H. Sherman Walter Wolters Werner H. Gumpertz Vaughn Simmons Mike and Sara Urness Larry Zarse George Haberer Kenny Simpson Jerry Harper James Sloan Robert M. Hawkins Fred Smith ENDOWMENT FUND Thomas A. Henry John(Jack) Smyser Karl Hesse Leo Stambaugh Gilbert Acors Gary Hines Steven Stapleton Bill Adsit Lyle Hoofnagle Mike Stasik Brent Akerley Joe Jerkins William Stroh Steven Andzer Bob Joers Gary Studebaker Dale Ashdown Ron Kaplan Tom Swankler Harry A. Audley Eric Key Bill Tennant Richard Bean Roger D. King Gene Terril Charles Beatty Elroy A. Klug Bernard G. Thomas Jim Bindon Randy L. Knudsen Louis R. Tilton Joel Blasius M-WTCA.ORGMichael G. Kopcho William Tily Edward Blatnick Albert A. Krysevig Virginia Tolford Bob Borst Norm Lange Marsha Vander Heyden Roger Bourgeois Patrick A. Leach Darrell Vogt Richard Bradshaw Mark Levanway J. Kurt Von Achen Don Brandenburg Ron Mack Jack Wagoner Ted Brasher James S. Mackey Timothy Williams William S. Brooks Paul S. Matis III Charles N. Williams James Byrne Elliot Matlin Royce Winge Fritz Carmine Ray Mcdonald Tom Witte James Cascarano William McMillen Nathan Wolfenbarger

June 2016 19 Tool Tid-Bits by John G. Wells

Add a little sparkle to your collection The Stanley No. 118 Block Plane, sometimes called the “School Boy Block Plane,” is a remark- able little block plane that is often overlooked. It was designed to be used in school woodworking shops and is almost indestructible. The only parts that can be removed are the lever cap and cutter; and those only so the cutter can be sharpened. All of the other parts are permanently attached. The body of the plane and the lever cap are stamped out of sheet metal and will not break or chip if dropped. Two block planes with “STANLEY No. 118” on an embossed plate ca, 1936. The plane The earliest publication that I found of the No.118 block on the right has a lever cap, front knob, and cutter adjusting knob with a satin nickel plated finish. plane was on page 160-16 in the new tools section of Stan- ley Catalog No. 34 dated September 1, 1929. At that time S18, 118 and 205 planes. The stamped and formed shape Stanley’s name was not on the front of the plane. A little of the lever cap is even more impressive than the planes later a plate with raised embossed letters highlighted in body. It must have required nicely made upper and lower red reading “STANLEY No. 118” was added under the front dies and a powerful forging press. The planes’ body was knob. This plate really sets the plane apart and makes it probably made from 14 gauge steel (0.180 in.) and the le- very special. The earliest publication I found of a No. 118 ver cap from 12 gauge malleable iron (0.185 in.). block plane having this plate, was in Stanley’s Catalog No. 34, on p.49, dated July 1, 1936. Undoubtedly, it is the condition, the plane’s finish, and the embossed plate pronouncing “STANLEY No. 118” that The adjustment mechanism on this plane was made un- makes these planes attractive. The No. 118 plane in the il- der Traut’s patent # 645,220, issued March 13, 1900, for a lustration on the left is black japanned and has satin nickel simple direct drive screw cutter adjustment. The stamped plated trim; the front knob is polished brass. The plane metal plane body and lever cap were made under Schade’s on the right has a black japanned (or lacquered) body. patent # 1,164,615, dated December 14, 1915. This clever The lever cap, front knob, lever cap locking screw and method for making rigid, light weight plane bodies em- adjustment knob have a satin nickel plated finish. These ploys stamped and formed sheet metal to make the planes finishes would have been appropriate for planes intended body and reinforces it with an inner sheet metal liner bent for display at a hardware manufacturer’s show. The cutter for rigidity (corrugated) and riveted to the body. This in the plane on the right has the third sweetheart trade method of construction was used for Stanley’s No. S4, S5, mark, (Smith “AA” ca. 1923-1935 ); this was one of the first planes made with the embossed plate.

No. 118 block planes were made with a black japanned finish and nickel plated trimmings until the late 1950s. After M-WTCA.ORGthat they had a gray finish, followed by a dark blue finish from 1960 to 1970, and finally a cordovan finish from 1971 until 1983 when the plane was retired from the line.

A Stanley No. 118 body showing the metal liner bent to give the bed rigidity, and provide support for the adjuster and lever cap stud.

20 The Gristmill History of LCA/LGA Hardware CO. by Lee Kallstrom

In the United States during the 1870s, a significant migration made in Omaha, NE, where I live. Two years and a couple to the “New West”, west of the Missouri River took place. dozen chisels later, there were still no hits on Google and When the Union Pacific Railroad was centered in Omaha, I was no closer to identifying the maker. In the meantime, Nebraska by George Francis Train, it became known as the I had found another easily read label on a 75¢ chisel head “Gate City”, a transportation hub providing provisions and at a garage sale, also in Omaha. I then found two more at a hard goods to the western states. This central hub led to the biannual M-WTCA meet. These last two were from differ- emergence of jobbers, or wholesale marketers, and outfit- ent sellers, neither of whom had ever heard of this brand. ters, who shipped supplies for merchants along the “Great Platte River Road” and in adjoining states. A significant After many more acquisitions, I have found a slight differ- portion of these supplies included hardware and tools for ence in design of the stamped label. Some have a rectangle growing communities. placed around the text, some are stamped upside down (right to left), and some reverse the two lines of text. At least four significant hardware companies sprang up and evolved in Omaha. They include: Perfection Wright and Wilhelmy, which began in 1871. It is still in busi- L. G. A. Hdw. Co. ness as a distributor of Sentry Hardware. Baum Iron Co. has remained in the same building since 1905. Paxton-Gallagher began in 1903. It was sold to Gilbert and Clark Swanson in After finding a half dozen more of the same, things came 1958 and is now doing business as Butternut Foods Co. together. Brian Welch, a well known tool and computer wizard in Massachusetts had already completed a number The fourth company, the oldest and shortest lived, is the of impressive research projects of New England tool com- focus of this research. At first glance it is the most confus- panies. I inquired by email if he could give me direction to ing and convoluted, as it involves three significant name finding out more about L.G.A. Hdw Co. Within a week I re- designations; LCA Mfg. Co., LGA Mfg. Co., and often simply ceived “…LGA is undoubtedly Lee Glass Andreesen.” “Perfection”. Almost simultaneously the cover of Fine Tool Journal As an avid hand tool collector and frequenter of garage displayed a grouping of ‘String sales and antique dealers, I look for tool names that are dif- Tags’ mostly from the mid-west. ferent and thus more exciting. These tags were the forerunners of stick on labels used today to My first encounter came during a walk through an antique/ identify and price store bought collectables shop about ten years ago where I discovered items. One on the bottom of the an old wood chisel with a handmade handle and a clear im- second page was from LCA Hard- print on the blade. ware. Was this a spelling error? I contacted Jim Shald, also an Omaha resident and collector who had submitted the various tags for the cover and who L.G.A. HDW CO provided further evidence of LCA, an Omaha company. I Perfection was happy to acquire samples of these tags from Jim.

This one inch straight Looking carefully at sided chisel displayed my small collection, I no rust and a rich pa- M-WTCA.ORGdid find some chisels tina to match its age. which could have been For less than five stamped C instead of bucks I had found a the G that I originally new maker of chisels, thought. This was made unknown to me, which quite clear when I found might be rare and valu- a partial set marked able and at least a clearly with LCA. challenging project. I From this point, I began my research on this Omaha based took it home and went tool source. My search brought me very close to home. It right to the internet to continues to motivate further investigation and I happily identify this exciting invite any additions to my initial findings. find. My purchase was

June 2016 21 Jobbers in Omaha 1888 Lee Clark Andreesen Hdw. Co. for a time at 1219- 1223 Harney The evolution of this hardware wholesale jobber and those closely associated in Omaha had a unique and centralized 1888 Baum Iron Co. was incorporated at 1208-1210 Har- beginning. ney (five story bldg)

1874 W. J. Broatch - started 1890-91 DOUGLAS COUNTY - BUSINESS DIRECTORY the first wholesale hardware lists Lee Clark Andreesen at 1108-10 Harney business in Omaha. 1209- 1211 Harney Street (north 1891 Third and fourth story was added to Baum Iron side of Harney between 12th building and then was occupied by Lee-Clark-Andreesen and 13th) 1896 Lists bicycle makers as Lee Clark Andreesen

1900 Lee Glass Andreesen

1880 Lee, Fried & Co Began “…on Douglas Street” (March 1, 1880)

Architect, Fisher & Lawrie designed the six story red brick warehouse on northwest corner of Ninth and Harney. The building was in the area soon to be known as ‘Jobbers Canyon’.

1904 Omaha City Directory CARL A. FRIED lists Lee-Glass-Andreesen

1905 Baum Iron Co. occu- 1880 Broatch erected a 4 story building across the street pies present location at 1221 (address?) Harney

1880 Baum Iron Building, at first two stories, was built 1913 Lists the death of by Steele, Johnson and Co. wholesale grocers at 1219-1223 Henry T. Clarke Harney St. 1914 Lee-Coit Andreesen M-WTCA.ORGHdw. Co.

1915 Baum Iron consolidat- ed with the successor of W.J. Broatch under the name of the Omaha-Baum Iron Store.

1916 The old Bailey Hotel, on the corner of Ninth and Farnam Streets, was purchased by the company. The hotel was torn down and a substantial six-story brick building, connecting the existing one on the corner of Ninth and Harney, was erected on the site.

22 The Gristmill 1919 LCA Building – expansion In summary, I believe we can say that the following changes took place over the 30 plus years that this company was in business.

Lee, Fried & Co 1880 Lee Clarke Andreesen L C A Hardware 1888 Lee Glass Andreesen L G A Hardware 1900 Lee Coit Andreesen L C A Hardware 1914

We can at least isolate the G from the Cs between 1900 and 1914. I have not yet figured out the differences between the Cs. I have seen no tools marked to indicate Lee, Fried & Co.

Researching this company has been a most enjoyable and 1923 Lee sells interest in company (at 81 years of age) rewarding journey. There is much still to be learned. All comments are welcomed. 1989 All buildings in Omaha’s Jobbers Canyon were de- stroyed for the development of the Con-Agra facility and park. References: Since the beginning of my research and collection activities, Fine Tool Journal, Vol 54, Number 4, summer 05, pp 1-2 I have continued to search for both LCA and LGA items. The Omaha Illustrated, (on Carl A. Fried) major offerings both in antique houses, tool collector meets http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:P1Rvci8cO8wJ:www.oldmarke- (M-WTCA) and on EBAY have been chisels. Continuing my tomaha.org/historicalInformation.asp+Lee-Clarke-Andreesen&hl=en interest in these edge tools, there are some generalizations Savage, Bell, History of the city of Omaha, 1894, Munsell & Co, NY I can make from my humble experience. Shald, Jim, Personal communication The most common chisels distributed were beveled bench Wakeley, Arthur C., Omaha: The Gate City, 1917, S. J. Clarke, Chicago types. Fewer chisels were made with straight sides. I have Welch, Brian, Personal communication also seen one heavy crowned back and one out cannel http://www.mountainlumber.com/reclamation/jobbers.shtml gouge. Finally, I have a short beveled tang one incher. http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/NSHS/1890Gaz/ombusgazi.htm I have also accumulated drawknives (LCA and LGA), hand- http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/OLLibrary/Omaha_book/oma- saws (one Glass one Coit), two razors (one Glass one C), ha036.htm (Broatch) and a number of advertisements and post cards and one http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/OLLibrary/Omaha_book/oma- pinback (Glass). ha033.htm

M-WTCA.ORGThis is our Silent Salesman Use it on a counter or table at your shop or event. It is 9”x11”. It is self-standing, and it has a pocket for a supply of Membership Brochures.

If you can use one, please contact me at [email protected].

23 The Gristmill June 2016 23 ANSWER by Bob Roger TOOL FAMILY TREES

These tools are the most prominent members of the sardine scissor family. Contrary to some information on the web, they were not used to snip the heads off the sardines and gut them, but rather were used to snip open the can containing the sardines (or any other can that needed opening). They sometimes appear as an unknown tool on a dealer’s table or on a ‘what’s it’ table. There are three different types, each with a question or two still remaining for someone to help answer. Let us be- gin with the most common of the three types. Nine different examples of them are shown in Figure 1. Item B is missing Figure 1. Sardine Scissors its spring and closure mechanism. with one cutting blade that worked by ent. Additional validation is provided by They are not common household tools, shearing the metal against an anvil on the several advertisements for sardine scis- perhaps because keys for opening sar- other jaw (18 patents). The 21 patents sors in the 1900-1915 time frame which dine cans were patented as early as are listed in Table 1 with the three dou- is the period following the patent date. 1894, and using a key was certainly easi- ble-bladed patents bolded and italicized. For example, Cope1 shows two sardine er than cutting the top off the can with a The sardine scissors in Figure 1 have scissors listed in a 1911 C. S. Osborne can opener. If you collect or accumulate & Co. catalog. Those two examples are sardine scissors you know that many of three basic characteristics – they have two opposing cutting blades, there is a similar to D & F in Figure 1, except that them are unmarked, some have various both of the scissors shown in Cope/Os- maker marks, and that it is hard to find curvature between the blade tips and the handles allowing the users hand to borne are left-handed. All of those in one with patent marks. So where did Figure 1 are right-handed. they come from, and when? stay away from the sharp edge of the cut, and one of the handles has a sharp But wait – there is more. Figure 3 shows Scissor-style can openers are open- pointed blade at the end for puncturing Fetter’s patent which was the first scis- ers that use a scissor-action (two jaws the can prior to inserting the lower cut- sor-style can opener patent, #191416 squeezing the metal between them) to cut ting blade. issued on May 29, 1877. However, it the metal. There were at least 75 US can M-WTCA.ORGOf the three double-bladed opener pat- does not have two cutting blades or the opener patents issued before the first one ents, only one has these three character- punch blade on the handle. Yet I have for a scissor-style opener in 1877, and by seen two of Osborne’s sardine openers the end of 1926 there had been at least 21 istics. That patent is #592945 issued to Youngblood on November 2, 1897. His that were also marked PATENTED MAY such patents. However, in the can opener 29 1877, which is Fetter’s patent. None world that is only a drop in the bucket – drawing is shown in Figure 2 and certainly appears to be the applicable pat- of the other 19 patents appear to apply it was not a popular design concept, and to this type, so now we have two pat- 1927 seems to be a good stopping point in our search for evidence. 191416 278379 280495 347674 540767 555315 567722 There were two basic cutting approach- es of scissor-style can openers – those 592945 602757 689846 857212 914829 971012 1073502 with two cutting blades that cut the met- 1261284 1270593 1396254 1430914 1487820 1492855 1569289 al from both sides (3 patents), and those Table 1. US Scissor-style can-opener patents before 1927

24 The Gristmill fishy here, and it is not the sardines. But we do know the patent for them. The third type of scissors was made in England using sheet metal. Two examples are shown in Figure 6. Both are identical except for the markings. Item O is marked PATENT No 185226 MADE IN ENGLAND and Item P is marked CAMP’S Figure 2. Youngblood’s Opener Figure 3. Fetter’s Patent PATENT ENGLISH MAKE. British patent # GB185226, shown in Figure 7, is the ap- ents for the Figure 1 type sardine scis- These are five different versions of Ste- plicable patent for these scissors and was sors – one in 1877 that has been marked venson’s patent #857212 issued on June issued on September 1, 1922 to A.H.F. on some scissors, and one in 1897 that 18, 1907. His drawing is shown in Figure Perl and R.H. Carter. But who was Camp has all the correct characteristics. 5. He also was issued patent # 1487820 and what did he patent and when? Some- And yet there is more. One of my scis- on March 25, 1924 for the same tool but times these scissors show up on eBay sors, Item E in Figure 1, is marked H. & using bent sheet metal instead of cast- from England and mention that they J. W. KING 1856 WARRANTED. The 1856 ings. That later patent was assigned to were WWI military-issued tin openers. If date is when H. King formed his com- the Stevenson Sales Co. of Chicago. that were true, how did they get patented pany in NYC. In 1863 he partnered with Because all the examples of this style in 1922? I smell more fishy stuff. his brother, J. W. and it became H & J W that I have seen are castings, I assume If anyone has additional information King. In 1873 it became King, Briggs & they were made between 1907 and 1924 that might help clear up some of the Co., and in 1880 it was sold to F. T. Witte, and at least some were made by the Sin- fishy smells on these three types of sar- a former partner. H. King remained a clair-Scott Co. in Baltimore. But why are dine scissors, I am all ears. principal in the company until he died in there at least five different versions? Why 19052. Those companies imported their are some unmarked? Was there a rela- cutlery from England, which is probably tionship between Stevenson and Sinclair- Notes: where my KING scissors were made. It Scott that eventually soured and caused 1. Kitchen Collectibles, Kenneth L. Cope, Astragal is possible that use of the King marking Stevenson to form his own company? Press, 2000, page 174 continued until his death in 1905. And why is there not a patent date on at 2. Hardware Magazine, Volume 31, June 10, 1905 Another of my scissors, Item G, is least one of my examples? Something is marked PETERS BROTHERS. They operated in Chicago and imported their hardware from Solingen, Germany from 1876-1886, dates which predate Young- blood’s patent. It is very possible that this style of sardine scissors was being made even before the 1877 patent, and that Osborne reached an agreement with Fetter to use his patent marking in an attempt to seize an advertising advantage. However, it still leaves the question as to how M-WTCA.ORGYoungblood re- Figure 4. Second Type of Scissors Figure 5. Stevenson’s Patent ceived a patent for the very characteristics that would have by 1897 been in common use for at least 20 years. Any further enlightenment will probably depend on finding advertising records or scissors with additional definitive markings. Now let us look at the second type of these openers. Figure 4 shows five different examples of them. Scissors J and M are marked SINCLAIR-SCOTT CO. BAL- TIMORE. The other three are unmarked, and the spring on N is a replacement. Figure 6. British Tin Openers Figure 7. Patent GB185226

June 2016 25 Brown’s 47th Antique Tool Auction, Camp Hill, PA. by John G Wells

Prices realized in this article in- sentee bidder. It was a nice set of clude a 13% buyer’s premium. A 3% seven gouges with the maximum size discount was available for cash or of 7/8th of an inch; and it created the a good check. The condition of all temptation to search for a matching 1 items was taken from the auction inch crank shank gouge. catalog and do not reflect the authors opinion. All photos are courtesy of There were two Standard Rule No. Brown Auction Services. Photogra- 3 size planes in this auction: both Lot 95 phy by: Cami Foley were made under Solon & Arthur Rust’s October 30, 1883 patent No. The 47th Brown Auction 587,584. The plane in Lot 232, was in Good+ condition but it did not have Millers Falls Tools absorbed Goodell a lateral adjustment, sold for $248.60. Pratt ca. 1931 and became a great The plane in Lot 158, was rated only source of new collectable tools. In- “Good” for condition but it had a lat- cluded among the tools in their 41st eral adjustment made under Samuel catalog, published in 1935, were a Frisbie’s March 18, 1890 patent No. Bench Hack Saw (Miter Machine) and 423,424, sold for $271.20. Apparently amateur size wood and metal turn- completeness trumps condition. Lot 211 ing lathes with counter shafts, cross slide rests and three jaw self-center- The L. L. Davis jointer in Lot 236, may ing scroll chucks. Redesigned tools have been in a little less than Good+ to celebrate their 70th Anniversary condition but it did have a lateral ad- were offered in their 42nd catalog justment which helped it to bring the published in 1938 including art deco $621.50 that it sold for. A similar Da- styled smooth and jack planes and vis jointer with a lateral adjustment Par-son’s braces with red transparent but in immaculate condition sold in Permaloid plastic handles and knobs; a Brown auction on April 6, 2013 for all of their metal work was polished almost twice this amount. Both were to a high gloss and chromium plated. big and heavy and would not be the Lot 232 first plane to be taken to a tool show. Choice Auction Items Lot 261 is a beautiful little model of a Lot 95 was a Millers Falls Breast Drill. farmer’s plow. A miniature of it was It shared design influence with the made so it could be carried around Buck Roger’s No. 709 smooth plane1 by a salesman of farming equipment Lot 236 and the No. 714 jack plane and with to create interest and take orders for the No. 104 and No. 308 hand drills de- farmer’s plows; it is often called a signed by Robert Huxtable, a talented salesman’s sample. It all looks orig- designer and engineer at Millers Falls. inal except for the very short section These were all the rage and a lot of of inappropriate chain near the “T” 2 fun from 1950 to 1960. The Breast bar but it still gets the idea across and Drill may have never been putM-WTCA.ORG in pro- was probably very helpful in convinc- duction, or if it was it may have been ing farmers to place orders. It sold to offered in a later insert to the Millers an absentee bidder for $847.50. Falls No. 49 catalog, which I do not have. This ex-ample was in Fine con- The Sandusky Center Wheel plow Lot 261 dition and sold to an absentee bidder plane, Lot 291, made of dark Brazilian for $565. Rosewood had boxwood screw arms and eight cutters. It probably should A set of D. R. Barton crank shank have been given a professional polish- in-cannel (inside bevel) gouges with ing before putting it in the auction but original handles, Lot 211, all in Fine it was rated Fine for condition and condition brought $226 from an ab- sold to an absentee bidder for $4,520.

Lot 291

26 The Gristmill The unsigned 17th century brace in sas”. It was rated Good+ for condition Lot 298 was an outstanding tool. It and sold in the room for $791. was created in a forge by a talented blacksmith well over 300 years ago The A Stanley Rule in Lot 365, made and still has a lot of character. It was from 1855 to 1858 only, and described in Good+ condition, and sold for $339 in the auction catalog as an engineer’s to an absentee bidder who will enjoy No. 6 rule, was in Good condition con- it for years to come. sidering its age. A couple of knowledgeable viewers said they thought it was a Lot 298 The Millers Falls No. 209 De Luxe carpenter’s rule, not an engineer’s rule. Smooth plane, Lot 328, introduced in If it was an engineer’s rule, it would catalog No. 42, issued in January of have had to have four large boxed 1938, had a transparent red Permaloid tables filling one side of the rule: one handle and front knob. The planes’, each for volume conversions, weight body and lever cap were chrome plat- computations, geometric analysis, and ed and the upper surface of the sole steam engine pump computations; but was finished with high gloss black it did not. I am also told that the “D” enamel. It came in its original box, was scale on its Gunter’s slide would have a stunning plane in mint condition and begun and ended with the number sold in the room to a well-known tool “1” not “4“ as on the carpenter’s rule.3 collector for $762.75. It sold for $429.40 to someone in the

Lot 328 room, who probably appreciated how A Millers Falls Parson’s De Luxe Brace, rare an “A Stanley” rule is; they were Lot 329, also introduced in Millers made for only three years, after that Falls 1938 catalog No. 42, was designed they would have been stamped with by W. P. Parsons, the Dean of Millers “Stanley Rule and Level Co.” Falls design and engineering staff, to celebrate his 50th anniversary with the Lot 386, the Tubman cast iron smooth Millers Falls Co. The chuck is a full ball plane, was one of the most attractive bearing, other moving parts have oilite tools in the auction. It was named by bronze bearings, the head and handle collectors to honor Donald and Susan are made of red transparent Permaloid Tubman of Wisconsin who were the and all exposed metal parts are pol- first to find and collect a plane of this ished and chrome plated. It came in its type in the 1980s. Since then a few ad- Lot 329 original box, was in mint condition and ditional examples have surfaced and sold in the room for $1,073.50. found their way into collections, but this may be the first to appear in an The Davis and Cook 18 inch cast iron auction. If Bob Baker, the greatest tool pinwheel level, Lot 348, was a popular smith ever, had restored it, he prob- Lot 348 design with collectors, and had good vi- ably would have repaired and reused als and only traces of rust. It was in very the original handle and wedge. It was good condition, was rated Good+ and rated Good for condition and was an sold for $310.75 to an absentee bidder. excellent value for the purchaser in Lot 356 M-WTCA.ORG the room who took it home for $3,390. Lot 356, the 28 inch Pittsburgh Novelty Co. level and gravity inclinometer, is a The Lee’s patent stop chamfer plane is very rare and interesting instrument. one of three versions of this plane that Lot 365 This level uses a tiny plumb bob in a have surfaced; the 1st example has pivoting glass enclosure to measure a flat plate over a pair of side fences slopes. It was patented by Oscar B. tilted 45 degrees, the 2nd version has Fuller of Burlington, KS., September a lever cap decorated with beautiful 13, 1887, No.370,013, and was manu- Gothic tracery (shown in P-TAMPIA), factured by the Pittsburgh Novelty and the 3rd version has a Bailey type Works, Pittsburgh, KS. for the Murray cutter adjustment mechanism that & Porter Level Co., Pittsburgh, Kan- was cut into and welded to the plane’s Lot 386

June 2016 27 body. The plane in this auction, Lot 387, is a beautiful example of the first version. It had nearly 100% of its japan- Lot 387 ning and gold highlighting, and was rated Good+ for condition. It was a good value and sold on a bid of $5,876 in the room.

There were two Stanley No. 1 planes in this auction: Lot No. 228 which was an Lot 413 early model with the “J” trade mark on its cutter (Type 1 or 2 ca. 1867-1872)) and round head screws to secure the frog in place, and Lot No. 413 (Type 6A ca. 1891-1892) which had the 1892 pat- Lot 489 - ent date on its cutter. No. 1 planes are The attractive and very scarce ad justable bull nose right and left hand always popular and both planes were fillister plane, Lot 624, has an adjust- rated Fine for condition. Lot 413, sold on a bid of $1,356 from a buyer in the able fence and depth stop that can be room. used on either side of the plane. It was made by Edward Preston & Sons, Bir- The Matheson & Sons infill smoother, mingham England and has a black ja- Lot 489, resembled a Norris No.4. It panned finish with polished edges and had a dovetailed steel body and rose- trim. It was in Good+ condition and wood infill. It was a beautiful plane, sold on a bid of $339 from a buyer in the room. was rated Good+ and was an excellent Lot 624 value for $254.25.

Endnotes 1. They were covered by design patent No. 159,339, issued July 18, 1950. 2. Millers Falls offered the No. 104 ¼ inch hand drill and the No. 308 3/8 inch hand drill in their No. 49th catalog. These two drills were similar in design to their No. 95 breast drill. 3. Philip E Stanley, Boxwood & Ivory, p. 63...

The following story appeared in the 1905 copy of Everett’s Encyclopedia of Useful Knowledge Novel Contest of Icemen One Prize Winner Carried a Load of 405 Pounds

The Ice Producers’ AssociationM-WTCA.ORG of the Middle States held its and carrying the load 300 annual convention recently at Cleveland, O. The reading of ft. and return. Won by John papers was varied by a most original and interesting con- Dallcher, Cleveland; time 25 test, in which a large number of employees of ice compa- seconds. Cutting a 400-lb. nies took part. Many of the delegates brought one of their block into 40 equal parts. star wagon men along. Some of the contests, and winners, Won by H. Luth, Cleveland; were as follows: time 2 minutes, 14 seconds.

Loading three tons of manufactured ice in blocks weighing Ice carrying contest; won by Chas. Chevanki, who carried 300 lbs. each, into a covered wagon. Won by Wm. Diller, a block of ice weighing 405 lbs. The contest was the first of Cincinnati; time 4 minutes, 58 seconds. Lifting a block its kind and was witnessed by a large crowd in addition to of ice weighing 150 lbs. from the ground to the shoulder, the convention delegates.

28 The Gristmill J. Flint, Saw Maker by Phil Baker

Erv Schaffer author of “Hand Saw Makers of North Amer- ica” has Joseph Flint working out of Rochester, New York from 1847-1888. He reported that Flint had connections in St. Catherine and Hamilton Ontario, Canada in the 1850s.

This article will use seven backsaws in an effort to acquire further knowledge on this maker. All seven of the saws have a similarity to each other. The dating of them can be questionable. I would be pleased to hear feedback.

2 J. Flint, ca 1846 with a 14” brass back. It has the same size lettering as #l with J. Flint in shallow arch with Roches- ter under. It has cast steel on the left and warranted on the right. The closed beech handle is a heavy one inch thick. All saws will have a hook & chamfer stop and small lettering as in # 1. The label screw has the early type Disston eagle except it is British. The difference is: USA marked Henry Disston Philadelphia with 13 stars in circle around a smaller eagle. The talons are tucked in close to body with the arrows on the left and an olive branch on the right. British is marked: Warranted superior with eight stars in a cluster. The talons with arrows and olive branch extend out from body to left. Note: the handle hang is more vertical on this saw blade and is over 12” long.

1 12” brass back markedM-WTCA.ORG in the brass is “J. Flint & Co. (only saw with & Co. and spring temper) in a shallow arch. Beneath it is New York with a dot between New and York. Small lettering, warranted (left) and spring temper (right). The handle is secured by two doomed steel screws. This is the only saw with markings and screws as the above and it is not recorded to my knowledge. It also has a 1/2” taper to 3 10” brass back that is 1 1/16” wide. Flint is still in a shal- blade. The open handle is not beech, but it is a fine grained low arch. Cast Steel and Warranted is printed slightly larger hardwood. The shape of the handle, with hook continues than earlier saws and there is a slight 1/4” taper to blade. for open handles, a nib between top horns and a chamfer The open beech handle is same thickness as #2 (l”) and the stop that ends with a cove. My guess is this maybe the old- chamfer stop is the same as #1 & #2 with a nib on top. The est saw, before the 1847 startup date above. saw is ca 1850.

June 2016 29 5 8” brass back, ca 1857. The open beech handle now has a nib on the top and bottom of the 7/8” thick wood with a squared chamfer stop. J. Flint is a slightly higher arch and large print. There is three sizes of print used in the brass. The blade has a 1/2” taper.

4 12” brass back ca 1855. J. Flint and Rochester slightly larger than Cast Steel and Warranted and Cast Steel, and Warranted print is a smaller size as on #3. The nice figured Beech wood closed handle has a pitch the same as the open handles in the study. The chamfer stop is square now.

6 10”brass back, ca 1859. The open apple handle has nibs M-WTCA.ORGon the top and bottom. The chamfer stop remains squared. The J. Flint is lightly struck with a heavy struck Rochester and both in largest letters. The Cast Steel and Warranted are smaller. There is a 1/2” taper to blade.

30 The Gristmill ples. The Cast Steel, Warranted and Rochester are smaller print with a fine strike. This is a well made saw.

As of October 2015, there are 227 U.S.A. makers in the collection. The handles of the seven Flint saws in the article stand out in their fine design workmanship and relation including the hook at the top of the handle to each other. Most saw makers, including Disston, eliminated the hook in the 1850s. Flint used it until 1867 with the patent date on #7 saw. Nowhere have I found the printing on backsaws vary as it does on these saws. Small printing is used on the earlier saws. In my dating, #4 has 2 sizes, #5 has 3 sizes etc., #7 has a fine strike with a higher arch. Last but not least, note the size of the backs. Joe Flint 7 14” steel back, ca 1867 patent date on the 3/4” label surely came from a different mould than most other makers. screw with Warranted Superior. The two common screws are 7/16” in diameter. The handle has a nice lambs tongue In conclusion, is it possible after 20 years, 1847-1867 that with a nib on the top horn and a squared chamfer stop. The Joe Flint stopped making backsaws? J. Flint mark has large print in the steepest arch of all exam-

M-WTCA Helps Identify Excavated Tool by Bill Kolm

The What’s It link on the M-WTCA website has paid off again. tor’s Guide to Keen Kutter” book. Roger Moore, the V.T. Archaeologist with the Chaco Culture Jerry and Elaine sent Mr. Moore a National Historical Park in Nageezi, New Mexico sent the Photo #2 from their book show- following email: M-WTCA.ORGing 3 styles of can openers that matched the photo of the broken We have found what looks like the handle of some tool with handle Mr. Moore had sent. The photo #1 the Keen Kutter logo on it. It is relatively flat iron object Heurings explained that this was with raised rims on both sides and a hole below the logo for the broken end of a very common hanging the object up. We found it on one of our archeaolog- item made by Keen Kutter. ical sites that was excavated in the very early 1900s so it is probably related to one of the work crews there. Once again Mid-West members have come through and supplied Russ Allen, the Internet Committee Chairman received the vital information about an old email and was able to obtain Photo #1 of the object which tool which validates our motto of went to the What’s It Committee Members and to Jerry and “Studying, Preserving and Sharing Elaine Heuring. The Heurings are the authors of the “Collec- Knowledge of Tools” photo #2

June 2016 31 Fire Tool History by Dr. David Crowe

M-WTCA member Dr. David Crowe from Eau Claire, WI., The invention of the pulaski is credited to Ed Pulaski, an sent an old newpaper article he found in a local antique store assistant ranger with the United States Forest Service, in and thought it was quite interesting. The article talks about 1911,1,2 although a similar tool was first introduced in 1876 “The only tool named in honor of a man’s bravery”. The sto- by the Collins Tool Company. Ed Pulaski was famous for tak- ry of Ed C. Pulaski is described in the following newspaper ing action to save the lives of a crew of 45 firefighters during text. The accompanying photo is from the newspaper article. the disastrous August 1910 wildfires in Idaho. His invention (or reinvention3) of the tool The only tool named in honor of a man’s bravery that bears his name may have is the “Pulaski”, a combination grub-hoe and been a direct result of the ax used by forest-firefighters. This...was named disaster, as he saw the need after E.C.Pulaski of Idaho. In 1910, when great for better firefighting tools. fires raged through Idaho and adjacent sections Ed Pulaski further refined of the West, Pulaski was chief of a fire-fighting the tool by 1913, and it came crew which was trapped in the flames. Pulaski into use in the Rocky Moun- led his men into an abandoned mine tunnel and tain region. In 1920, the For- although the intense heat shook the reason of est Service began contracting some of the men, Pulaksi stood at the entrance for the tool to be commer- to the tunnel and kept them from rushing out cially manufactured, but use into sure death. Although he suffered blindness remained regional for some temporarily and a long illness and burns, he years. The tool became a na- was credited with saving the life of every one tional standard in the 1930s.3 of the 40 men in his crew. During the night, the Raising the tool above head forest burned out sifficiently for Pulaski to lead height while swinging is dis- the crew from the tunnel to safety. couraged as this wastes energy and creates a safety hazard.4 The description of the “Pulaski” found on Wikipedia is listed below. 1. Spadafora, Ronald (2007). McGraw-Hill’s Firefighter Exams. McGraw- Hill Professional. p. 230. Invented by USFS ranger Ed Pulaski in 1911. The pulaski is a special hand tool used in wildland firefight- 2. Jump up ^ Egan, Timothy (2009). The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt & the ing. The tool combines an axe and an adze in one head, Fire that Saved America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. pp. 259–260. ISBN 978-0-547-39460-2. similar to that of the cutter mattock, with a rigid handle of 3. Jump up to: a b Davis, James B. (1986). “The True Story of the Pulaski wood, plastic, or fiberglass. The pulaski is a versatile tool Fire Tool” (PDF). Fire Management Notes (US Department of Agricul- for constructing firebreaks, as it can be used to both dig soil ture Forest Service) 47 (3): 19–21. and chop wood. It is also well adapted for trail construc- 4. Jump up ^ Hallman, Richard; Hutcheson, William; Mrkich, Dale (1997). tion, gardening, and other outdoor work. As a gardening Handtools for trail work. USDA Forest Service, Technology & Develop- or excavation tool, it is effective for digging holes in root- ment Program. p. 18. Avoid raising the pick overhead while swinging; bound or hard soil. this wastes energy and creates a safety hazard because the heavy, nar- row tool head cannot be easily controlled or directed.

The following was taken from a September 1925 is- “letter” entitled “Evolution of the Plane,” prepared and issued sue of The Industrial Arts Magazine. by the Stanley Rule and Level Plant of The Stanley Works at M-WTCA.ORGNew Britain, Conn. Evolution of the Plane This “letter” illustrates and describes in detail the evolution of A considerable amount of most valuable teaching informa- the plane from the earliest recorded history of the Egyptians tion for use in shops and shop classes has been contributed and Phoenicians through ancient and medieval times down to to schools by American manufacturers. In fact, the ordinary the present day. Particularly interesting and useful is the sec- professional literature and the textbooks used in trade schools tion devoted to the development of the Stanley Bailey plane contain comparatively little material on the tools of the several which is widely used in American industry and is a favorite in trades because the manufacturers have been so generous in school shops. The “letter” will be sent on request to any teacher. supplying technically correct and complete material arranged for teaching purposes. Editors Request: If anyone knows of a copy of this “letter”, please share it so it can be reprinted in The Gristmill for One of the latest and most interesting contributions to the lit- all members to learn from. erature on tools of the woodworking trades is an eight-page

32 The Gristmill Please email your photos, answers, and comments to: [email protected]

For more information, larger images, additional photos, more what’s its, and answers, please check out the What’s It page at the M-WTCA web site. Go to http://www.mwtca.org/ and then in the Main Menu click on “What’s It”.

Fig. 163-3 This brass cylinder has an internal cylinder that can rotate to open and close the slot. The internal cylinder can be Fig. 163-1 5-1/2” diameter locked into place by the thumbscrew. It is 3 3/8” long and 1 3/4” diameter. The internal diameter is 1 1/8”.

Answers M-WTCA.ORG from previous Gristmill issues:

Fig. 162-3 This is part of a drafting T-square that is missing its straight edge.

Fig. 163-2 27” long

June 2016 33 On The Other Side of The Bed AUXILIARY by Kathleen Holmes

Oh, those pesky rascals. We have five squirrels around our neighborhood. They have been scrambling up the round metal poles to the bird feeders….and eating us out of house and seed. Lynne’s Lines

Then there is the woodpecker feeder just outside our din- by Lynne McCalla, President ing room window. Cecil has filled it a number of times and the squirrels seem to find a way to go up the standard that Dear Friends, holds the feeder. So Cecil, determined to outwit them, put I am sitting on the Saone River in France enjoying an ice cream pail upside down on the pole and taped it in the wine, cuisine and sites. We have come from place. “Well, so much for that,” thought the first squirrel, Marseille up the Rhone to Lyon. Soon we will be in “I can get around that”…and it did. So Cecil moved the Paris. So my lines are short this time. bucket lower, thinking it could not stretch that far to reach the feeder…but it did. I look forward to seeing you all in Des Moines, Iowa where Susan Witzel and her team have a great pro- So, our entertainment has been watching some wily squir- gram for us. Bring your displays, come to the show rels outwit these humans. We must think of another ap- and tell and read our book, as we join together for proach. Jack suggested an electric attachment that would another great time of fun and fellowship. jolt the squirrel into the next county. That might happen soon.

I have been working on the family genealogy. Names need to be correct with middle names included, to avoid confu- sion as well as birth dates that are correct so that sometime down the line when someone else is trying to confirm Start with a notebook if you do not have a computer. Even a particular person, the data is all there. I still need some if you do have technical resources available, print it out of the great grandchildren’s middle names. Marriage data so it can be shared to get corrections or enlarging details is also important when confirming persons. I hate to nag now. Soon I will have as complete a record as I can get some of the grandchildren to get back to me. What have and will print out a copy so each of the family can have a you done to confirm the names and dates for your fam- copy. Get busy. ily? Have you done any genealogy research and got those Let us go to a subject that is probably more pertinent to names and dates down on paper…somewhere….perhaps this publication that squirrels and squirrelly ancestors. Do- in a computer or in a source book somewhere? It might ing family genealogy is somewhat like really be important at some future tracing of the lineage of tools. Each date. Get busy on it while you are Doing family genealogy is group of tools, by whatever names thinking on the subject. somewhat like tracing of the they be known, has a family line…or I have visited with some of my lineage of tools. Each group a genealogy. friends who feel it is really not of tools, by whatever names For instance, Cecil puts a lot of re- that important to do. I should have search time into the various tools he started my research long agoM-WTCA.ORG when they be known, has a family collects and can do their genealogy (if some of the people I could talk to line…or a genealogy. that is what you want to call it). There were still alive. are books, articles, and other resourc- My parents were both only children and some of their es available to do that research. Just going to the tool relatives were located in England. And now I have no con- meets around the country can put you in touch with many nection to some of them. So I would recommend starting “experts” on whatever tool/tools you want to know about. while parents or grandparents or aunts or uncles are still I see many men standing around a collector’s display, tap- living and can give you family lineage that otherwise might ping his brain for information. Many of these fellows are just disappear. walking encyclopedias and are so willing to share. The Other Side of The Bed can be so full of information.

34 The Gristmill Discover the Heinz History Center AUXILIARY by Beth Weymer

When the activities were planned for the Midwest Sports Museum and a traveling Smithsonian Institution Af- Auxiliary program last fall, the Heinz History Center in filiations Program were additional bonuses. Pittsburgh was my first choice for an entertaining day Our family loves to take field trips. My husband, Rick and trip. There were no disappointments there. I were teachers and our children lamented that they were From the moment I entered the well lit lobby, my camera doomed to be educated 24/7. Between Rick’s background in was clicking away. There are six floors of expertly presented Tech. Ed. /Industrial Arts, and my career in elementary and displays, including factual information on the geographic special education, our interests are wide and varied. The location, geological and cultural make up of the region. Heinz History Center reminded me of one of our favorite Unique exhibits include: glass manufacturing, the French & local museums: the Industrial Museum of York County in Indian War, and the Prine Plane Collection. The Western PA. downtown York, PA. Their hands on exhibits and range of historical artifacts makes it a great place to spend an afternoon. Our own M-WTCA, Area P has a past association with this facility as a former meeting place.

The main attraction for me in Pittsburgh was the long term exhibition entitled: “A Tradition of Innovation.” It highlighted great innovators in Pittsburgh’s history. The huge second floor gallery was amazing. Immigrant inventors, labor unions and famous figures from Andrew Carnegie to Fred Rogers, have roots in western PA. I learned that Westing- house, the Pennsylvania turnpike and the Big Mac also have connections to Pittsburgh. Scientific and medical giants, such as: Rachel Carson, Jonas Salk, Dr. George Magovern the heart transplant sur- geon, and Dr. Benjamin Spock are part of this region’s development.

I greatly enjoyed my day spent at the Heinz Center and highly recommend it. There are so many wonderful things to do and see in Pittsburgh. The city has a strong industrial past and has been revitalized to become the jewel of western Pennsylvania, M-WTCA.ORGa perfect location for a weekend getaway.

Email or mailing address change? Please send changes to Kerry McCalla at [email protected].

June 2016 35 Kitchen What’s It AUXILIARY by Judi Heckel

Stan Seevers challenged Auxiliary members to identify Many members shouted out answers, but Stan had several a multitude of antique gadgets and tools that have aided stumpers that befuddled the best of collectors. The Auxil- women through decades of time. Our members had suf- iary is now smarter and more aware of the tools that served ficient time before breakfast to browse, hold, and even the cooks and laundresses of various generations. smell the items before the revealed answers were shared.

The Duquesne Incline by Judi Heckel

No trip to Pittsburgh would be complete without experi- cars. One can view the machinery, browse pictures in the encing a century old cable car while riding the Duquesne museum, and capture breathtaking photos of scenic Pitts- Incline. Opened in 1877, the Incline was restored in 1963, burg. Mid-West members truly enjoyed this Pittsburg treat. and delights visitors as they ride in the original wooden M-WTCA.ORG

36 The Gristmill M-WTCA Version of PICKERS AUXILIARY by Susan Witzel

Hostess, Susan Witzel is urging all M-WTCA wives to make sure KETS, TOYS, AND TALES. Bring a half or whole table display your name is in the pot for the free Wednesday night barbecue to share. The more, the merrier. Everyone is invited to the beginning at 6PM and hosted by the Airport Holiday Inn. After Meet & Greet on Thursday evening. We honor first time at- you eat, you can get settled in before meeting with your tool tendees. DISPLAYS & TOOL TRADING begins Friday morning friends in the hospitality room to share “tall tool tales.” The and lasts until Saturday noon. M-WTCA PICKERS, it is your men will be in the parking lot at dawn so they will have more chance. The WHAT’S IT SESSION begins at 10:30. The book tales to tell. Also, if hubby is sending in the registration form, for Des Moines is The Waiting by Cathy LaGrow, a true story. check out the fun you can have to the Sticks Furniture Factory The discussions are lively. Friday at 7PM, Thelma Roberts will and Sticks East Village Showroom with a“Dutch Lunch” at a share her collection of beautiful PERFUMES with us. Satur- place of your choice, or a walking tour of Salisbury House, a day, the ladies luncheon at 12:01 will feature a program by Lisa huge mansion transplanted from Europe to Des Moines, Iowa. Rasmussen entitled, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RAGGEDY ANN. The Be sure and wear comfortable walking shoes for both tours. featured banquet speaker is Michael Cotter, a third generation I am sure the men will all be excited to check out the other farmer and storyteller. COME JOIN US IN DES MOINES FOR tour of The Woodsmith Store. The auxiliary theme is TRIN- GREAT MID-WESTERN HOSPITALITY AND FUN!

The Mars Friday Night Silent Auction Was A Big Success by Becky Leamy

The silent auction was well worth the many hours and days I would really like to thank all of team Pennsylvania, which that team Pennsylvania spent getting together and working on includes Ann Boltz, Gloria Renehan, Carol Stark, and Beth the preparations. Our silent auction is all about the fun and Weymer, for doing a terrific job on the Mars auxiliary pro- laughter we share with our friends and members. We had over grams. I would also like to thank the silent workers from be- 90 items donated. Let us say, we stopped counting at 90. A few hind the scenes: Stanley Seevers, Jim Leamy, Lynne McCalla, of the items donated were: a large hand crafted pottery bowl, Jane Giese, Judy Heckel, Susan Witzel, Julie Kesterson, Caro- two handmade scarves, different pieces of jewelry, a burgundy line List, and last but not least, Larry Thorson. If I missed any- lap afghan, three beautiful dolls, a handmade tote bag, cro- one please forgive me. cheted hand towels and so many other terrific items. I would like to focus on three items that brought fond memories to my mind. The three dolls all went to one lady who had three grand- daughters and she wanted to give each of them a doll. We also had Helen Burge win the afghan. She came over to tell me how much she liked it and wanted to win it. It even matched the outfit she was wearing perfectly. I want to mention the cro- cheted handmade towels were made by Mildred Boltz, a wonderful lady, who will be missedM-WTCA.ORG by all that knew her.

June 2016 37 Clark Mountain OBITUARIES Clark Mountain 75 of Macksburg, Iowa At that first meeting, I purchased my first plane (a No.1, type died Monday, March 7, 2016, at the 1 Bailey/Stanley Plane). Clark (and his wife Nancy) had just Madison County Memorial Hospital in returned to the Midwest after a “vacation/tool buying” trip to Winterset. Clark is survived by his wife, Arizona. He had two No. 1s and was asking the same price Nancy Mountain; his children, Kevin for each of them. I said “which is the most valuable” and he (Ann) Mountain of Winterset, Dawn steered me to the Type 1. (Ronnie) Henderson of Des Moines, Clark was the first honest antique dealer that I met. He was the and Mandi Mountain of Winterset; five first person I learned not to bid against at the Humboldt Auc- grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a host of other tions, and the first person to go to for unusual items and parts. family members and friends. Marple Clark Mountain Jr., son of Marple Sr. and Fay (Stokes) Mountain, was born Dec. 16, 1940, I am saddened to hear of Clark’s passing. The tools that I have in Winterset. He graduated from Lorimor High School in 1959 purchased from Clark have suddenly become more precious to and was united in marriage to Nancy Hines on July 14, 1973, me. They bring back the memories that I have of this “moun- at the Lorimor United Methodist Church. Clark was a finish tain of a man”. He was one of the nicest and kindest persons carpenter most of his working career and owned and operated that I have ever known. Mountain Construction for 50 years. He was a member of the Member Dwight Trahin adds these thoughts: Midwest and Southwest Tool Collectors Associations. Member Bob Nelson Remembers Clark Mountain: Clark enjoyed doing all sorts of woodworking projects, including building furniture. He loved spending his time as an antique Clark has always been number 1 in my book. Clark was the dealer and collector of many antiques - especially tools. He first person that I met at my first M-WTCA meet in 2001. He was a long time member of M-WTCA and loved attending tool was the first to teach me about collecting antique tools. He ex- meets and spending time with his many tool collecting friends. plained what was most valuable or likely to maintain its value He also enjoyed gardening and fishing. Clark was never selfish over time, why you should only buy the things that you really about sharing his near-encyclopedic knowledge of the many like and that what was most important, was to get to know as tools he acquired and passed on to all the collectors whose many members of M-WTCA as you can. He said everyone is lives he touched. He was a great resource for so many of us. different and everyone has something to offer. He had a big heart and will be sorely missed.

James S. Baird James Stanley Baird, 86, a Fort Atkin- Descended from several generations of Scottish blacksmiths, son, Wisconsin artist and photographer Baird had a lifelong fascination with tools, starting his collec- for more than six decades, passed away tion with a variety of hand made iron implements he inherited peacefully Jan. 25, 2016, at St. Mary’s from his grandfather. He was a longtime member of the Mid- Hospital, Madison, following complica- West Tool Collectors Association and enjoyed the tool meets, tions from a heart attack. camaraderie, and the associated trading, buying, and bartering Born May 8, 1929, in Kenosha, and for historic pieces that were part of that experience. while growing up in Burlington, he began his love affair with Jim’s contribution to Mid-West Tools has graced the front cover art, delicately working with pencils, pens, pastels, and paint to of The Gristmill since the No. 16 issue in June 1979 and will draw landscapes, still lifes, animals, cartoons, and more. His continue to be the nameplate of the Gristmill for many years family moved to Fort Atkinson in 1943. While attending White- to come. Jim drew the picture of the Gristmill located at Ca- water State Teachers College, he studied etching under the late des Cove in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Dave Leon Pescheret, a preeminent artist whose techniques influ- Heckel included this information on page 13 of ‘The Best of The enced the skills Baird developedM-WTCA.ORG for his own artwork. Gristmill’ published in 2000. Baird’s illustration proficiencies landed him a job at Hoard’s His favorite and most complete collections featured blacksmith Dairyman magazine in March 1948. He also became the interna- tools and wooden planes. Baird served on the local Historical tional dairy magazine’s chief photographer, and handled most Society Board of Directors and developed the Tool & Trades of the publication’s design and visual content. Baird was espe- exhibit for the museum. He often donned his work apron, fired cially well known for his cow paintings and postcards of the up a forge, and demonstrated his love of blacksmithing and an- “Foster Mothers of the Human Race” and for his holiday covers tique tools to family and museum visitors. on the Hoard’s Dairyman magazine, many featuring the beau- Baird also volunteered at the National Dairy Shrine, designing tiful but painstaking technique known as scratchboard. Baird the original dairy exhibit at the museum. He obtained and do- created hundreds of scratchboard pictures, other drawings, nated many dairying artifacts housed in the Dairy Shrine and acrylic and oil paintings, etchings, and pastels. His artwork authored a booklet, “Dairy Collectibles” in which he document- graces the homes of family, friends, and businesses across the ed and illustrated his findings about early dairy implements. U.S. He retired from Hoard’s in 1993.

38 The Gristmill OBITUARIES

Baird served in the Wisconsin National Guard for over 15 years, phies, and commendations for marksmanship. He was a U.S. including a year of active duty during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. Army Distinguished Rifleman, a Wisconsin high power rifle The patience and steadiness he had as an artist were also valu- champion, a National Guard National champion, a member of able traits on the rifle range. As a member of the military and the prestigious “President’s Hundred” group of military marks- later as a civilian, he won many state and National medals, tro- men, and was selected twice for the Sixth U.S. Army Rifle Team.

Robert Teichman PhD. by Robert Oehman

Robert Teichman PhD. of Durham, In 1984 Robert packed up his family and moved to Topsail NC., and Wilmington, VT., died on Janu- Beach, North Carolina. Before moving, he sold his tool collec- ary 19, 2016 from respiratory problems tion, declaring it to be impractical. His plan survived a whole due to COPD. He was 92 years old. He week before he purchased a box of tools at a yard sale, which is survived by his daughters, Charlotte became the seed for his new collection. Shortly after the move, and Marianne, and son-in-law, Robert a group of antique dealers in Raleigh, NC., (Ray Hoke and Sam Oehman. Robert will be remembered by many for his ready Palmer, first president) decided to hold an antique tool yard smile, hearty laugh, and for his intelligent, insightful comments. sale, which served as the charter meeting of the Mid-Atlantic He loved tools, cows and the Green Mountains of Vermont. Tool Collectors Association (MATCA). Robert joined this As- Robert was a United States Army veteran, and was proud of his sociation. service experience and his Combat Infantry Badge. He enlisted Robert started out collecting tools, but he was also interested in Sept 1943, did his boot camp at Fort Bragg, NC., and was in applying his talent as a refinisher of antiques to his tool col- trained in artillery. He thought North Carolina was the hottest lecting hobby. Repairing and refurbishing tools was a second and least attractive place he could imagine, and could not wait hobby equally rewarding. to leave, (not knowing he would later live in NC. for 40 years.) In 1987, he rekindled an old love affair with the State of Ver- He shipped out for England in May 1944 and joined the 319th mont, and began to spend each summer in Wilmington. He was Glider Artillery of the 82nd Airborne Division (All Americans,). the happiest in the Green Mountains. Living there provided him He was held in reserve for the D-Day invasion, while undergo- access to Jack Bittner’s Auctions, and Richard Crane and Lee ing glider training, but earned his Glider Wings while invading Murray’s Tool Flea Markets and Auctions, later Donnelly’s. He Holland during Operation Market Garden, staying in Europe was a regular attendee at the dealer sales, and “sharpened his until after the war. He fought through the Battle of the Bulge, elbows” so he could stand his ground next to the New England served as part of the Occupation Forces in Berlin, and was dis- tool crazies. He was a regular at the Wilmington, VT. flea mar- charged in January 1946. ket, and the Newfane, VT. flea market every weekend. He spent After the war, he completed degrees at the University of Connect- his last summer in Vermont in 2011, completing 25 years of an- icut (BS and MS,) and North Carolina State University (PhD.). nual visits. I met Robert in Wilmington, DE., around Christmas of 1981, Over the years, Robert and I travelled together to many tool col- when he was beginning his retirement. As a way to encourage lecting events. My wife, Charlotte, has said she did not realize common interest, his daughter Charlotte encouraged me to go what she was starting, when she put us together that day, since and view his collection of tools. If she had only known where she became a “tool widow” and lost us both for many vacation that would lead… M-WTCA.ORGdays. Robert was a dear friend, and I miss him. Cecil W. “Woody” Woods Cecil Warner “Woody” Woods, 78, of graduation until his retirement in 1998. He worked at various Oelwein, IA. died Friday, Feb. 19, at Oel- auto parts stores and car dealerships in Oelwein and Waterloo. wein Healthcare Center. He was born in He was a member of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association Volga on June 6, 1937 the son of Donald for several years. Cecil loved auctions and collecting antique and Lena May Thyer Woods. On Nov. wood-working planes. 28, 1959, he married Judith Lemcke. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Ann Woods-Redies of Oel- Cecil graduated from West Central High wein; a son, Michael (Denise) of Evansdale; five grandchildren, School, Maynard, in 1956. He sold auto parts from the time of two great-grandchildren, and two sisters.

June 2016 39 M-WTCA.ORG

40 The Gristmill MARTIN J. DONNELLY AUCTIONS Specialist Auctioneers of Nineteenth Century Antiques Sale Located at: 5223 County Route 8, Avoca NY 14809 Spectacular Summer Auction & Antique Fair Thursday, Friday & Saturday July 21, 22, 23, 2016

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Timeless Tools and Treasures.com Authentic tools for traditional trades and related curiosities: woodworking, machining, leather, watchmaking, etc. M-WTCA.ORGVisit our store in Bennington, NH, by appt. [email protected] 603-588-2603

42 The Gristmill MARKETPLACE

WANTED: Blacksmith and farrier hand and shop tools. Father, son, & grandson enjoy restoring & using them. John Tinker 269-674-8453

WANTED: Stanley Handyman Putty Knife in good shape or in original box. Also H1211 Nail Sets, H38 Cold Chisel, H8 Center Punch, H5 Hand Punch & H6 Pin Punch. Bill Kolm 402-572-1238, [email protected]. This is my Stanley zig zag rule countertop display missing the mirror from the back. I would like to replace the mirror but need help with the dimen- Looking for Gabriel planes and sions or a photo of one complete with the mirror. If you can help please con- Kenyon saws. Let me know what you tact Alan Luger at [email protected]. Thanks for any help you can furnish. have. John Walkowiak 612-824-0785 [email protected]

Wanted: Any hand forged iron tool (except reaping hooks) marked ADVERTISING INFORMATION I-CHRIST or D.Christ. Laurent Torno 7111 Waterman Ave. St. Louis, Mo. 63130 [email protected] Tel/Fax ISSUE COPY DEADLINE DISPLAY ADS - RATES 314-721-3911 March January 10 Size Cost Word Limit June April 10 Full page, 4-color, September July 10 (when available) $275 900 December October 10 Full page $180 900 Half page $105 450 CLASSIFIED ADS - RATES Quarter page* $60 225 $ .18 per word - ALL words. Other sizes $9.50 per column inch $3.50 minimum per ad. (1 column approx. 2-1/4” wide.) 25 word limit.

NEW POLICY: The Gristmill will no longer accept advertising for a date sensitive event, that will occur during the month of The Gristmill’s publication. For example, an ad for an auction on March 25th that is to be placed in the March issue.

* For layout purposes, all quarter page ads must be the following size. 3 1/2” wide X 4 7/8” tall.

Typesetting and borders are not included in the page rates. Special artwork will be M-WTCA.ORGcharged at cost. We must have a sketch or rough drawing indicating how you want your ad laid out. Camera Ready ads are accepted at no additional charge.

For your protection and complete satisfaction, ALL ads should be typewritten and double-spaced. If this is not possible, please PRINT legibly.

Payment must accompany ad. Make checks payable to M-WTCA. At this time, advertising will be accepted only from M-WTCA members in good standing. For information and membership application, contact John Walkowiak or one of the officers whose address is YOU’VE shown on the inside front cover of this publication. Send all ads to: Bill Kolm 11415 Spaulding Street Omaha, NE 68164 GOT phone (402) 572-1238, E-Mail [email protected] TOOLS YOU’VE GOT TOOLS June 2016 43

YOU’VE GOT TOOLS

YOU’VE GOT

YOU’VE TOOLS GOT TOOLS

YOU’VE GOT TOOLS Brown Tool Auctions A Tradition of Excellence

Brown Tool Auctions and The Fine Tool Journal, under common ownership and management, together represent the best way to sell your antique tools, from a few items to an entire collection.

Ever since its founding in 1986, Brown Tool Auctions has been the premier auction service for antique tools, consistenlty realizing the highest prices for the best tools, including the world record set for a single tool at auction of $114,400. We hold three auctions every year at established times and locations that are regularly attended by the most knowledgeable and discriminating tool buyers. Each Brown auction is widely recognized as a major event in the tool collecting world. Our marketing includes online bidding and extensive mailings as well as ads in major publications.

Our relationship with The Fine Tool Journal, which holds four absentee and one live auction every year, gives us the capacity to handle entire collections efficiently. If you have antique tools to sell, give us a call. We will be happy to inspect your tools with no cost or obligation to you, and if you decide to consign them we will arrange the pickup or shipping, and will market them so that you realize the maximum value. Give me a call and let’sM-WTCA.ORG talk tools. Jim Gehring Brown Tool Auctions President, 9325 Dwight Boyer Road Brown Tool Watervliet, MI 49098 Auctions

1-800-248-8114 Fax 269-463-3767 Date www.finetoolj.com The Tradition Continues

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