Toronto Type Foundry Cutter

Q: My partner and I own this old vintage plough paper cutter and we would like some information about its manufacturer. A metal plate on the machine says “Toronto Type Foundry Co. Limited.”

A: Toronto Type Foundry Co. was in business from 1887 until about 1968. It was founded in Toronto but expanded to offices in several other cities in Canada. The company sold printing presses and other equipment to printers. The plough (or plow) cutter is used to cut through a stack of papers, which makes it especially useful to bookbinders and printers. The blade moves back and forth to cut through the papers. There aren’t many collectors of large printing equipment, but decorators are buying vintage machinery with wheels and gears to reuse in the construction of new and interesting tables.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raisin Seeder

Q: We acquired this tool after my husband’s aunt died. We haven’t been able to identify it. It’s marked “Magic Factory Antrim NH” and “Pat. Feb. 13, 1894.” Can you tell us what this tool was used for?

A: The patent for your tool was granted to Charles W. Thompson of Antrim, N.H., for improvements to a “raisin-seeding machine.” He claimed it improved the method of seeding raisins and reduced the loss of “raisin flesh,” which usually occurred during the process of seeding. Value of your raisin seeder: $400 if you can find the right collector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haines Gauge

Q: I have an antique sheet-metal-thickness gauge. It’s stamped “Haines Gauge Co., Philadelphia, Pa.” and “A 12614.” Can you tell me the approximate age and correct name of this tool?

A: Robert B. Haines Jr. (1857-1932) of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, was granted a patent for this “micrometer gage” on Feb. 9, 1892. It was used in steel mills to measure the thickness of steel plate coming out of rolling mills. The gauge allowed the person measuring the thickness to stand back far enough so he wouldn’t get burned by the hot steel. Haines worked at Lukens Rolling Mills at the time he invented his gauge but opened his own company, Haines Gauge Co., in the early 1900s. His sons took over the business in 1932 after their father died. The company was still in business in 1942. You have an interesting tool, but it’s not very useful today–so it’s priced at $10-$15.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Butcher Plane

Q: I have a wooden block plane I think is from the 1840s-1890s. It is marked “W. Butcher.” I would like to know something about the maker and the age of this plane.

A: The William Butcher Co. and its successors were in business in Sheffield, England, from about 1821 until the 1900s. The company operated under the name William Butcher Co. from 1821 until about 1828, so your plane was probably made during that period. The number in the mark may be the model number. William Butcher (1791-1870) and his brother, Samuel, were cutlers who made a variety of steel-edge tools, including chisels, files, hammers, hoes, planes, and saws. Samuel was the New York agent for the firm. William and Samuel also made Bowie knives in the 1850s and ’60s. Butcher opened a steel works in Pennsylvania in 1867 and made steel castings there. Samuel died in 1869 and William died in 1870. Your plane would probably sell for less than $15.

 

 

Smith Premier

Q: I bought this desk in 1967 and was told it is a lady’s typewriter desk. The name of the company is marked on the top of the desk. How old is it? A: The Smith Premier Typewriter Company was founded in Syracuse, New York, in 1886 by brothers Hurlburt, Lyman, Monroe, and Wilbert Smith. The Smiths were gun manufacturers who began making typewriters after one of their engineers came up with a new design for a typewriter. Typewriters were displayed at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, but the keyboard and works were not standardized until several years later. Smith Premier merged with other manufacturers to form the Union Typewriter Company of America in 1893. The brothers left Union in 1903 and founded L.C. Smith & Brothers Typewriter Company. The Smith Premier typewriters name was used until at least 1939. Your typewriter table was probably made around 1900.

B’s and Top Hats

Beau Brummel is a trademark and name printed under the picture of two gentlemen in top hats. It was used from 1930 to 1952. The company, Bresduck of New York City, made straight razors and scissors. Look for the maker’s mark on a straight razor on the “tang,” the narrow end of the blade where it is attached to the handle. Scissors are usually marked on one of the blades.