NUMBER 190 DEC. 2017 A Journal of Tool Collecting published by CRAFTS of New Jersey The American Tinsmith During America’s colonial with rivets or solder (50% tin and years the household tin prod- By George Pierson 50% lead) to form boxes, cups, ucts were found in every home. pales, candle holders, candle sconc- The tinsmith, metalsmith or es, etc. The tinplate and tin prod- whitesmith as they were often ucts became so popular in Germany called made items that replaced and its surrounds, that the King of heavy and cumbersome wooden England secretly employed two men or ceramic kitchen ware. Imag- from Cornwell to go to Germany ine if you will the early Ameri- and get hired as tinplate workers to can family members carrying learn the trades. They then returned water in heavy wooden buckets to England in 1667 where they hung from a shoulder yoke. taught the English workers the se- How pleased you would be to crets of making tinplate. Probably purchase and use a light and one of the first corporate espionage shining tin pale. What a time events ever to take place. consuming job it was for girls to When did colonial America make the weekly candles by dip- begin to use tinplate? According to ping wicks in hot wax. The tin- early records the first master tin- smith saved hours of work by smith to enter America was Shem crafting candle molds that could Drowne who immigrated to Boston George during a presentation with sam- be used to pour in the hot wax, ples of his tin smithing work. from Ireland in 1712. However, and after a few hours harden into Mr. Drowne specialized in making ten or more beautiful candles. weather vanes. In fact, numerous Where did this all begin? The tinplate used buildings in Boston are still topped by one of his by tinsmiths was first discovered in Germany. It creations. The first all-purpose tinsmith shop consisted of taking iron which was hammered in- was established by the Pattison brothers in Berlin, to flat sheets, scrubbing them down with pumice Connecticut in 1740. Their shop made household powder, applying a coat of acid flux and dipping utensils, reflector ovens and lighting devices. Alt- them in molten hot tin. After the tinplate had hough their shop designed and crafted all types of cooled it was cut, bent, folded and joined together tin products we find today, their work was made from tinplate manufactured in England. English December Issue Contents mercantile laws would not permit the colonies The American Tinsmith - George Pierson……………...........…...1, 3-4 President’s Corner. ...…….….………………….…….……….……....2 (Continued on pg. 3) Taylor Wharton Celebration - Ivan Raupp…………………………5 Sumitsubo - Japanese Ink Lines - Bob Garay….....……..…………..6-7 Bookbinder’s Plow Plane - Art Gaffar……………………………...8-9 Feb. 4, 2018 CRAFTS Meeting November Meeting -Fisher and Norris Anvils - Ivan Raupp ………..10 CRAFTS Picnic - Bob Garay ……………………………….……….11 Masonic Lodge, Highbridge, NJ Want Ads..…….……….…………….………….....….….….……….11 Tool Events ………………………………………..……...………….12 THE TOOLSHED - DEC. 2017 President’s Corner Collectors of Rare and Familiar Tools Society of New Jersey Hello to all CRAFTS Members. As I think about the President…………………..…..…IVAN RAUPP, Bloomsbury,NJ Thanksgiving Holiday, I am very grateful to have much for email, [email protected] which to be thankful. Primarily, I am grateful for my family and friends. Additionally, I am hopeful for the success of our great Vice President…………..…JOHN CZEKAJ, Neshanic Station, NJ country. I hope that you and your families are well and enjoyed Secretary………………….…ANNETTE VLIET, Danielsville, PA Treasurer…………………..……..ED RENTSCH, Pennington, NJ a happy Holiday! The purpose of CRAFTS of New Jersey is to encourage in- Thinking of CRAFTS, I would like to acknowledge and terest in early trades and industries, and in the identification, thank Ed Bragg and his lovely wife, Ruth, for their on-going study, preservation and exhibition of tools and implements support to the club. Ed was the first CRAFTS President. Over used and made in New Jersey as an integral part of our herit- the years, Ed has kept focus of the success of CRAFTS and age. done everything he could to help us. In early October 2017, Ste- Membership in CRAFTS is open to anyone who shares the ve Zlucky and I were privileged to visit with Ed and Ruth at above interests. Annual dues per person or couple are $15 for their beautiful home in Skaneateles N.Y. Ed contributed this last the membership year of July 1 through June 30. Membership load of tools to the CRAFTS auction. Many thanks to you Ed! fees may be sent to: Stew May, 391 Sagamore Ave. Teaneck, This past year has been a year of change for CRAFTS. We NJ 07666 (write check payable to CRAFTS of New Jersey). have faced some real challenges and we have come through with flying colors! CRAFTS of NJ meetings are held at the HOST Masonic Steve Zlucky and his auction team stepped up with a dy- Lodge in High Bridge, NJ. Take I-78 to Route 31 exit at namic new auctioneer and many system improvements, Clinton. Go north on Rte. 31 two miles to second traffic light including the new computer management system James at the High Bridge exit. Turn right and go about half a mile Travis implemented. to Dennis Ave. Turn left, then straight to the Masonic Lodge Ed Rentsch has successfully replaced our venerable and (on the left). Tailgate sales in the parking lot begin at 10 accomplished former Treasurer, Hank Allen. He has quick- A.M., meeting starts at 1 P.M. ly absorbed the intent and the many facets of the Treasurers The TOOL SHED job and has already made improvements. Published four times a year for members of CRAFTS of New Stew May has taken over management of the membership Jersey. Editor: Bob Garay 15 N. River Styx Rd. Hopatcong, files as well as continuing as communications Director. Our NJ 07843—(973)398-5875 - Articles, especially about early membership file is key to the focus of CRAFTS. It contains tools and trades, are encouraged and may be sent to the Edi- information on all our approximately 450-500 members and tor. Email—[email protected] requires care and diligence to maintain CRAFTS WEBSITE - www.craftsofnj.org John Czekaj ran an outstanding picnic this year! He im- Containing general information about CRAFTS and its activ- proved our already great menu by adding pulled pork and ities including: meeting schedules, Tool Shed articles, etc. other goodies. John’s customer focused approach added a lot of value. He asked what members wanted to eat and he NEW MEMBERS delivered! Meantime, our Tool Shed continues to be very strong under John B. Aniano Allentown, NJ the leadership of Bob Garay. Bob is inviting each of you to Gretchen Chipperini Groton, CT consider reporting on a topic of your interest. He would like Tom Czirok Hampton, NJ articles of around 500 words and a few pictures. Charles Daugherty Mt. Bethel, PA John Dodge Rockaway, NJ Community Service is a hot topic for CRAFTS. Joe Hauck Jean Louis Grauby New York, NY made a nice presentation on October 14th at the 275th anniver- Joseph D. Kane Jamison, PA sary celebration of Taylor Wharton Foundry in High Bridge, Jessica Klobusicky Somerville, NJ N.J. Many folks stopped by to listen! Please let me know if you Matt Kordys Long Valley, NJ have a similar opportunity you would like to explore in your Dale M. Malone Califon, NJ community. Daniel McGarvey Quakertown, PA The Directors of CRAFTS have agreed that we need to fo- Bill Orbine Bedminster, NJ cus on programs that help the community of “tool users”. There Robert Porter Glenolden, PA has been a widespread loss of programs in public schools Indus- Tom Pozarek Millington, NJ trial Arts programs. Thus there are not a lot of places for the John Serra Kearny, NJ aspiring crafts person to go for guidance. We hope to help meet David M. Shultz Berwick, PA this need. If you have suggestions as to how we can meet your Donald Stephens Brooklyn, CT needs better, please let me know. Derek A. van Veldhuisen Whitehouse Station, NJ Rex A. van Veldhuisen Whitehouse Station, NJ Meantime, enjoy the upcoming Holidays! Happy 2018! Charles B. Yeaton Epsom, NH Sincerely, Ivan Raupp, CRAFTS President THE TOOLSHED - DEC. 2017 2 (Continued from pg. 1) businesses to pro- As the demand duce tinplate. Thus for tin products in- a pack of 100 sheets creased in America, of tinplate was the Pattison brothers placed in wooden expanded their shop crates and shipped and took on journey- to the colonies man apprentices who where the Pattison stoked the fires and Early hand crank beading machine brothers would pay scrubbed the tinplate. to stiffen tin products. the import tax and Tin plate 10” x 13-3/4” packed in a Usually a parent or wood box sent from England. Thus make the pails and products were standardized to be guardian would contract with the Pattisons to have their colanders needed by made with this size sheet. Photo from son serve as a seven year apprentice. The Pattison the colonial fami- Colonial Williamsburg tin shop. brothers were responsible for teaching the boy the tin- lies. smith craft, as well as the basics of reading, writing, What did the tinsmith use to make his products? In calculating weights and measures, and bookkeeping. the 1700’s our tinsmiths used wooden hammers, metal The boy would have to promise that he would refrain sheers and round wood blocks of various shapes to cut from drinking hard liquor, playing cards, gambling and and form the tin pails, boxes and lighting devices.