A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes, 4th Edition

by Emil and Martyl Pollak; Revised by Tom Elliott

With its initial publication in 1983, A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes profoundly transformed the emphasis and direction of tool collecting. Since then, it has been the definitive guide to American planemakers, from the earliest individuals who worked before the Revolutionary War to the last few manufacturers of the twentieth century. Now, after several years of meticulous research, a new edition of this extraordinarily influential reference book is available. This 4th edition, completely revised by Tom Elliott, reflects the tremendous amount of information on planemakers that has come to light since the last edition. Included are: over 4000 biographical entries, over 5000 imprints, almost 2700 wedge outlines, and almost 3000 individual ratings for judging relative scarcity and value. This represents twice as much information as the 3rd edition and over four times more information than the 1983 edition! The scope of the book is expanded by the "What's a Plane Worth" section, providing insights helpful in buying and selling planes, an illustrated glossary of plane terms and styles, and an extensive bibliography for further help in research. Comprehensive and up-to-date, A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes IV is the one reference absolutely essential for any tool collector or dealer.