Dating Addis Carving Chisels

Re: Dating Addis Carving Chisels

Ben Knebel

>Well--first we need to know JP or SJ Addis-and what logo. Is there Ward stamped anywhere or a WP logo. . Is England stamped anywhere--is cast steel stamped anywhere. Where is the # stamped--same side as name or opposite side. All of this makes a difference when dating Addis chisels.

Quicky history.

S.J operated in the 1850's and 60's and was responsible for setting the nomencalture we use today in identifying chisels ( sweeps and shapes).

S.J was the standard chisel used in all British training schools up to the 1920's--they wouldn't allow thier students to use any other kind--they were considered the finest carving tools of thier time and in my opinion are unrivalled --even today.

JP was SJ's brother and after SJ died around 1870 JP manufactured under his own and SJ's label. Around this same time Ward aquired the rights to the SJ Addis name and JP manufactured both SJ and JP Addis chisels for Ward. JP relationship with Ward was an on again off again affair and continued till the 19teens. JP and SJ chisels are of similar quality--very good.

Ward continued to manufacture chisels under the SJ label well into the 1920's.

BTW--Thier father was also a chisel maker operating pre 1850---it is believed he marked his tools simply J Addis or perhaps JA addis.

PS--take the dates with a grain of salt--I'm operating from memory and haven't looked at my notes in a couple of years--they'll be close though.

Best regards

Ben

www.shepherdtool.com

Re: Dating Addis Carving Chisels

Kurt Loup, Baton Rouge

>Thanks Ben. I will take a picture tonight of the stamps. Going from memory, the two gouges are marked SJ Addis London with a divider looking logo and the number stamped on the opposite side. The veiner has a different stamp and possibly an owners stamp.

Kurt

Re: Dating Addis Carving Chisels

Kurt Loup

>Ben,

The veiner which reads J.S. ADDIS & SONS has the following stamp on the opposite side PRIZE METALS 51 TO 28. I'm not certain about the 51 as the bottom 2/3 of number is off the edge of the tool. Thanks.

Kurt

Actually says PRIZE MEDALS

Kurt Loup

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Re: Dating Addis Carving Chisels

Ben Knebel

>Sounds like the 2 gouges are early SJ production so you're looking at chiseld that date form the 1860's.

Regards

Ben

Re: Dating Addis Carving Chisels

Ben Knebel

>BTW--What looks like JS is actually JB--I just noticed I had put JP in my earlier post--typo--should have been JB---JB was working for Ward by the time of the prize medals--Paris exhibiton I think.

Regars

Ben

Thanks

Kurt Loup

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