Not so long ago someone paid £2,600 for a
hammer. True, it wasn’t your common or garden hammer. It was a
ball-socketed job from 1769, and apparently just what a collector had always wanted.
A plain spirit level made of wood and brass will fetch about
£20, even if it is a 1970s model. If the same spirit level is decorated - the wood carved
or the brass engraved - look closely for a date. It could come from the 19th century
and be worth £60-£120.
Plane spotting
But the great thing to seek out is a plane, especially one by
Norris or Stanley. Getting technical now: an 'immaculate 16 1/2in dovetailed Norris A1
with rosewood infill and original blade' could cost a collector over £2,000.
If you find a Stanley plane (yes, the same people that make the famous craft knives) look
for the model number. You’re in luck if it’s a No. 1 or a No. 164 ‘low
angle’. The scarce No 1 went out of production in the 1930s, and can now be
worth £1,000, while the No. 164, another pre-war model, can go over £1800. (As
always, though, serious collectors with serious money look for good condition and
preferably the original box).
Getting to the customer
Who buys at auction? Mainly Americans, perhaps because Stanley
is an American company, or maybe it’s the heritage thing. There are also dedicated
furniture restorers who love to use the old tools that match the elegance of the woods
they work with.
Open the box
The wonderful world of bits and braces, saws and shavers, rules and levels,
screwdrivers, planes and plumb bobs waits at The Tool Shop, 78 Needham Market, Suffolk
(tel 01449 722992). From there, dealer Tony Murland buys and sells (also by mail order) as
well as holding five auctions a year, of
which the biggest is on July 30. See his fully illustrated website at www.antiquetools.co.uk
- and gasp at values that give new meaning to 'old bits and bobs.'
Previous editions:
Family Treasures - 1
Family Treasures - 2
Family Treasures - 3
For subsequent editions - see the laterlife
interest index
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