Customer Reviews

Early 20th (Twentieth) Century Stanley Tools - A Price Guide With 1909 & 1926 Catalog

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For a book that claims to be a price guide, it is a rather dissapointing publication. The book consists entirely of reprinted Stanley catalogs from 1909 and 1926. The "price guide" to current values merely consists of a loose page inserted into the book. The loose, 2002-2003 current price guide page that I received was not even cut square! The prices quoted are questionable at best (a stanley #212 in "good" condition for $700!??. I'll take half a dozen, thanks.), with no genuine attempt to clarify price variation as a function of tool type or condition. In the introdcuction the editor so rightly points out that "We do not claim to be experts in the tool collecting field (and the) seperate price guide is only the opinion of the editor."

Tool collectors will enjoy this interesting and useful book of nearly 300 pages which is a reprint of the complete original 1909 and 1926 Stanley Tools Catalogs. The softbound, handy-sized book contains more than 1,200 black and white pictures and details of the tools. It is complete with the original indexes, making tool location easy. A special insert contains year 2001 pricing. Everyone interested in these historical tools will enjoy using this great reference work. Take it with you when you antique for old tools. Add it to your reference library.

This book was just a representative sample of the tools that Stanley made. I was looking for a more comprehensive list and descriptive book. The information in the book could have been found on the internet.

I do recommend this book to anyone who wishes to learn something about the early 20th century's use of hand tools. This is my area of interest, one of my hobbies. This book helps me to identify some of these tools and gives some information about their use along with their approximate value for those who collect the tools. The book is easy to use, informative and fun to read.

If your are a collector of old woodworking tools, this is an ideal book to carry with you during that weekend flea market or antique shop search. The illustrations are also very useful when trying recliam old tools with missing parts. Some of the tool pricing seems to be a bit too high.

If you are a Stanley collector, this is a must have.