Researching Edward Preston & Sons tools

[Joe Stankus]

I am researching Edward Preston & Sons Ltd. of Birmingham, England. My research is being used to write a book on iron spokeshaves and related tools made by Preston. I am looking for anyone that has any Preston catalogs that they would be willing to share scans, photos, copies,etc. I currently have the following catalog info:

1895 catalog - some photos of the spokeshave pages
1901 catalog reprint by Ken Roberts
1909 catalog reprint by Astragal press
circa 1912 booklet no. 23 original in good condition
1914 catalog no. 26 original missing cover and multiple pages
1932 catalog no. 43 scans of some pages, including all spokeshaves
1933 Rabone catalog with addendum of Preston tools after Rabone acquired Preston

Thanks in advance...

Joe

[Jim Koepke]

This page > http://oldtoolheaven.com/reprints/reprints3.html < appears to have one from 1925 that isn't on your list. These are copies reprinted from old originals. Some may be available from the usual sources.

This page > https://archive.org/details/internationaltoolcataloglibrary < has scans, but it doesn't seem to have anything on Preston.

There is an 1878 Rabone catalog of rulers > https://archive.org/details/JohnRaboneAndSonsPriceList1878 <.

jtk

[Joe Stankus]

Thanks Jim. The 1925 Preston entry on oldtoolheaven is a small centenary leaflet that does not have any tool info. It is basically a short history of the first 100 years of Preston. I have a copy of it and was disappointed in the lack of tool info in it. I have also tried catalogs from other British tool merchants, but the info to be gleaned there has been very scarce. I actually made more progress on dating Preston tools by researching the introduction of cellulose paints (nitro-cellulose laquer in modern terms). Cellulose paint was introduced into British industry in 1925, so any painted tool that is not japanned would have to have been made between 1925 and 1933.

Joe

[Tom Trees]

Did you try googling Edward Preston UKWorkshop?
You will find info on just about everything that exists regarding quite a few Preston planemakers.

[Joe Stankus]

Hi Tom,

I have been research Preston for over 15 years and working on my book for about 10 years. I have done many google searches as well as used many other search engines, most of which are no defunct. To give you an idea of my research efforts:


UK Library system
British National Archives
Australian Library system
New Zealand Library system
Indian Library system
Google Books
Worldcat
Library of Congress
Ken Hawley Charitavle Trust at Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield
Smithsonian Institute
Henry Ford Museum (they have a large collection of trade catalogs)
Most every antique tool dealer in the US and UK
Rob Lee of Lee Valley Tools shared pictures of the Preston section of the 1934 Rabone catalog
I had corresponded with Tom Lamond,author of "Spokeshaves" before his passing and have received all of his Preston notes from his son, Drew. Tom was one of the inspirations for writing my book.
various MWTCA, SWTCA, and TATHS members

This is just the list off the top of my head. I am sure that I have missed a few additional places that I have searched....

At this point, I think my best chance will be finding someone who has a copy of a Preston catalog in their personal collection and is willing to share photos, scans, etc.

Joe

[Tom Trees]

Hi Tom,

I have been research Preston for over 15 years and working on my book for about 10 years. I have done many google searches as well as used many other search engines, most of which are no defunct. To give you an idea of my research efforts:


UK Library system
British National Archives
Australian Library system
New Zealand Library system
Indian Library system
Google Books
Worldcat
Library of Congress
Ken Hawley Charitavle Trust at Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield
Smithsonian Institute
Henry Ford Museum (they have a large collection of trade catalogs)
Most every antique tool dealer in the US and UK
Rob Lee of Lee Valley Tools shared pictures of the Preston section of the 1934 Rabone catalog
I had corresponded with Tom Lamond,author of "Spokeshaves" before his passing and have received all of his Preston notes from his son, Drew. Tom was one of the inspirations for writing my book.
various MWTCA, SWTCA, and TATHS members

This is just the list off the top of my head. I am sure that I have missed a few additional places that I have searched....

At this point, I think my best chance will be finding someone who has a copy of a Preston catalog in their personal collection and is willing to share photos, scans, etc.

Joe
Joe, I suggest you create an account, if you've exhausted external ukworkshop googlings.
Go to the hand tools section.
Plenty of folks there are extremely knowledgeable and collect old hand tool and machinery catalogues.
Its simply the best chance of getting a copy of one.
Tom

[Brian Deakin]

I live in the United kingdom you may find the links below helpful

https://taths.org.uk/

you could contact

https://www.davidstanley.com/

and ask for their advice

other

https://birmingham.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/WPAC/HOME

type Edward Preston into search engine

and contact
https://www.bclm.co.uk/