: The Brown 25th International Tool Auction at the Sheraton Inn saw
old records being broken and new highs set. A one-of-a-kind
Sandusky Tool Co. ebony and ivory, self-adjusting, center-wheel
plow plane set a new world record, selling for $114,400.
The auction grossed $513,884, for an average of $642 per lot -
$500 per lot without the Sandusky plow; it set another world
record. Top items brought strong prices.
The record-breaking Sandusky plow plane, with its ebony body,
gleaming white ivory arms and nickel plated fittings, was the
showpiece of the Sandusky Tool Co., one of the biggest and most
prestigious makers of wooden planes in America. They were in
business in Sandusky, Ohio, for 62 years, from 1869 to 1931.
Leonard Bailey's patent model for a square, patented May 9, 1871,
had a very attractive geometric design set off by a recessed and
textured background on the handle. It had the original patent
office tags and sold for $22,550.
An Israel White self-adjust-ing, three-arm plow plane, patented
January 9, 1834, brought $17,600, while a beautiful, and probably
unique, chute board plane, patented June 19, 1877 by S.D.
Sargent, sold for $12,650.
A rare Stanley No. 90A nickel plated bull nose rabbet plane,
unused and in the original maker's box but with a little storage
stain on the handle, was richly appreciated at $11,000.
A Gear Calculating Rule, was patented by Charles B. Long, April
25, 1865, and made by the Stanley Rule and Level Co. It was
marked E.A. Sterns & Co. because it was made in the old
Sterns plant between 1865 and 1879, after Stanley purchased E.A.
Sterns & Co. It was in excellent condition and sold for
$6,820.
Rare patented metallic planes continue to be price leaders. A
smooth plane by the Bailey Tool Co. with a clamping lever on the
side of the lever cap, patented March 14, 1871, sold for $3,850.
A Bailey Tool Co. Block plane with "Bailey Tool Co." cast in the
sole and the original wood front knob in unused condition sold
for $3,300.
Israel White self-adjusting three-arm plow plane patented
January 9, 1834, $17,600.
A Union X2-C smooth plane, rare in the No. 2 size and even
rarer with a corrugated sole, realized $3,300. A scarce jack plane,
patented August 8, 1893 by Louis J. Hardt, of Yuba City, Calif.,
had two depth of cut adjustments: the adjustable front section of
the bed and the cutter. It sold for $9,350. A Munks' 61/2-inch,
smooth plane, patented in England January 16, 1884, went to an
absentee bidder for $7,700.
Stanley Planes continue to be the most widely collected American
tools. A unique special version of the No. 26 wood bottom plane,
made by the Stanley model shop circa 1900, unusual with the
threaded cutter adjustment shaft in the vertical position,
brought $3,025. One of the most sought-after Stanley planes, the
No. 164 low angle smoother, in outstanding condition was a good
value at $3,520. A rare Miller's patent No. 44 bronze plow plane,
with a straight bronze fence, brought $3,520.
Outstanding rules, bevels and levels did very well. A very early
No. 26 2 foot, two-fold rule with an extension slide by A.
Stanley & Co. (1854-1857), precursors of the Stanley Rule and
Level Co., in fine condition sold for $1,650.
A bevel by D. Bissell, patented May 25, 1880, with a fold out leg
to set the angle of the blade, in fine condition sold for $1,100.
A St Johnsbury Tool Co. bevel, rare with two blades and in the
nice small 6-inch size, in better than good-plus condition went
for $2,200.
A No. 32 Stanley level, with a movable vial reading the angle, in
fine condition brought $1,870. A rare Frank inclinometer,
patented August 27, 1919, with push button operated light bulbs
to illuminate the level vials, in good-plus condition sold for
$2,310.
In promotional items and tool boxes, a folk art sign made in the
form of a 47-inch saw, advertising Henry Disston and Sons,
realized $990. A Millers Falls No. 600 brace display with six
braces brought $1,210. A joiners tool chest with 15 drawers in a
removable till made of exotic woods and in fine condition fetched
$6,160. A fold up tool chest and workbench by Hamacher, Schlemmer
& Co., New York, for the apartment dwelling woodworking
enthusiast, went for $4,180.
Prices quoted include a ten percent buyer's premium.
