New Tool Book review
Todd Hughes
>While at the book store the other day came across a new tool book. Put out by Antique Trader it is called "Tools Price Guide", 275 page glossy softback and set me back about $17.00. I am always looking for new tool Books that I don't have and enjoyed reading this one.Looks like it was put together with the help of Browns auction a service that specialises in selling tools. As a price guide it left lots to be desired I felt since most of what is illustrted in it are rare tools that you have slim and none chances of ever finding.Good illustrations but for some reason it shows mulitple exact tools and leaves out many others all together.Do we really need to see three of the same rare 212 scraper plane? Also a few have the wrong caption under the photo which if you didn't know could be confusing.The book is really heavy on planes which they say in the forward is because more are sold then any other tools....I don't know if I buy that but do think they should have had more then the 4 or 5 chisels listed.Sort of get the feeling that Brown auction did more then a little self promoting,[they have a full page add in the back], describing all the rare planes they sold and the big prices they brought.Have to question putting a "One of a Kind" plane in a value book since you ain't going to be finding another one probably eh?....While maybe not my first choice for a Tool Value guide,[I'd go with the Barlow book The Antique Tool Collectors guide to value]" I did enjoy reading it and do recomend that you pick up a copy, and for less then $20 I don't regret getting it though honestly think they could have done a little better job..... Todd