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Thread: Researching Edward Preston & Sons tools

  1. #1

    Researching Edward Preston & Sons tools

    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

  2. #2
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    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/internat...cataloglibrary < has scans, but it doesn't seem to have anything on Preston.

    There is an 1878 Rabone catalog of rulers > https://archive.org/details/JohnRabo...sPriceList1878 <.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  3. #3
    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

  4. #4
    Did you try googling Edward Preston UKWorkshop?
    You will find info on just about everything that exists regarding quite a few Preston planemakers.

  5. #5
    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

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Stankus View Post
    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
    Last edited by Tom Trees; 11-06-2019 at 4:08 PM.

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    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-...GTRN/WPAC/HOME

    type Edward Preston into search engine

    and contact
    https://www.bclm.co.uk/
    Last edited by Brian Deakin; 11-09-2019 at 6:47 AM.

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