Antique James Howarth Plow Plane Sheffield 1857-1862

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Up for auction we have a rare & beautiful early James Howarth Plow Plane made in Sheffield England at the Broomspring Works in the early 1800's. The tool was probably made between 1857-1862, since this is an earlier mark before he added his sons to the logo.The plane is in excellent condition and mounted on a footed presentation display base. This tool is also usable by todays standards. Howarth tools are considered the top of the line in early tool making. The tools are made of the finest materials and of the best quality detail of the period. This plane is marked with the much sought after BroomSpring Works trademark . An entire summary of his career is accessible online.James Howarth was born on the 19th of December in 1811 into a typical hard-working family. At the age of 12, he began working as a "second hand," or "striker," alongside his father William who was employed as an edge toolmaker by Mitchell Brothers in Furnival St. Sheffield. Howarth was clearly a devout Christian, as by his 19th birthday, he is recorded as being a lay preacher at his local Wesleyan Methodist chapel.In 1832, Howarth was promoted to works manager and two years later formed a partnership with Henry Taylor in establishing the business of Taylor and Howarth in Fitzwilliam Street, Broomhall, Sheffield. The company became principal manufacturers of light edge tools, restricted in the first instance to the home markets, but the trade of the firm rapidly extended until they had direct business connections with leading continental states such as Canada, Australia, China and other distant markets. The partnership with Henry Taylor was dissolved in 1842.James Howarth and sons went on to become exhibitors at the London Exhibitions 1851 and 1862, and in Paris in 1855, and received on each occasion prize medals of the first class. The Universal Society for the encouragement of Arts and Industry founded in 1851 reported on the goods exhibited at Paris. This society awarded its first-class prize medal to Howarth for excellence of his tools and elected him an honorary vice president of the society - an honor paid to no other British Manufacturer.In 1857, joiners' tools were added to the company's line after it had moved to Bath Street at Broom Spring Works, Sheffield. In 1863, the firm became James Howarth and Sons, and it set up a steel division in Eyre Street, Sheffield, that enjoyed an excellent reputation for its steel quality.James Howarth and his sons were all practical men and personally supervised all departments of their manufacture, giving close attention to the general workmanship as well as to setting and finishing their products.The edge tools they made were from some of the best iron and steel available, while joiners' tools such as squares, bevels, spokeshaves, gauges etc., were made chiefly of ebony and other expensive woods combined with brass and or steel. The company produced hammers from 1 ounce to 25 pounds, in an infinite variety of shapes, to meet the most varied requirements. The manufacture of skates was also one of the special features of Howarth's business.Using the very best materials and employing the most skilled labor, James Howarth and Sons produced goods of the very highest standard and had a reputation for excellence in the most distant markets. Upon the death of James Howarth, the firm was managed by his four sons James, Samuel, Edwin and John Howarth. The firm was discontinued in 1913, and its mark was acquired by Robert Sorby and Sons in 1922. read more

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