The following text was graciously provided by Dan Weinstock and is from the catalog which accompanied his exhibit entitled "Yankee Ingenuity: Patented Planes of New York State". The exhibit appeared at the Prouty-Chew Museum of the Geneva Historical Society from August 7, 1987 - September 19, 1987.
" The major manufacturer of metallic planes in New York State during the nineteeth century was the Auburn Metallic Plane Company in Auburn, New York. Whereas Holly and Loughborough had experimented with and even undertaken small productions of metallic planes during the 1850's, the demise of the wooden and transitional planes with the developing preeminence of metal planes as mass-produced and popular tools was spearheaded by the Metallic Plane Company. Two names stand out in this company's history, those of Palmer and Storke. In 1855, Sidney W. and J.F. Palmer began the manufacture of planes in Auburn, New York as J.F. and S.W. Palmer and Company. J.F. Palmer obtained patent 16,569 for an improvement on the longitudinal adjustment of the plane iron. This is shown in two examples of his patented plane, both of which are boldly marked "Palmer's Patent, February 3, 1857". One of these is a wooden body Truman J. McMaster and Company (Auburn Prison contractor, 1825 to 1839) jack plane and indicates that Palmer was placing his improvement on previously made planes. In 1863, Palmer sold his interest in this company to Charles Coventry, who in turn sold the interest to C.M. Palmer in 1871. The patented plane probably had a short production and the family became involved in the manufacture of washing machines, snow shovels and wash boards. Auburn business directories during the period 1867 through 1883 show Sidney W. Palmer as a washing machine and clothes dryer manufacturer. In 1867 Elliot G. Storke established the Auburn Metallic Plane Company. The first plane manufactured by this company was that of a design granted in patent 64,790 to Nelson Palmer and assigned to himself, Sidney W. Palmer and J.F. Palmer. The relationship between these persons is not known. This plane is advertised in the broadside shown. Elliot G. Storke obtained patent 96,052 on October 19, 1869 which specified the improvement of friction reducing corrugated or grooved bottoms on metallic planes. This feature was not incorporated on Stanley planes until 1898. These two patents, namely the 1867 and 1869 patents to Palmer and Storke, were extremely successful and resulted in wide sales of these planes, particularly to the Midwest and Canadian markets. An advertising flyer to the hardware tradefor this patented plane is shown. The plane was produced ina variety of sizes -- smoothing, jack, and jointer-- as illustrated in this exhibit. The pocket catalog shows the prices for these planes. It also should be noted that they were priced under that of the Bailey patented Stanley planes of the same period. Storke obtained additional patents and on November 28, 1871 a patent was granted tp S.W. Palmer and Storke and assigned to William J. Moses, a publisher in Auburn. This plane featured an adjustable throat and swiveling lever cap. It also appears in a variety of sizes. Storke was granted his third plane patent on April 27, 1875 for a cutter adjusting mechanism engaging a hollow nut on the plane cutting iron. The patent drawing itself shows a transitional model and one of this variety is on display. The all-metal type is also shown. Whereas the early Palmer patents feature maple or fruitwood front knobs with iron or steel inserts, this plane usually has an all wooden knob. Storke's last patent of March 14, 1876 provides for a spoke-wheel mechanism to raise and lower the cutting iron. These planes usually featured an all-metal mushroom-shaped front knob. Block planes were also made as may be seen in the displays. Many variations exist on the adjusting mechanisms and an exhaustive inventory of these types would prove to be a large collection in itself. It is clear that the Metallic Plane Company was the largest competitor in the metal plane line to the Stanley Rule and Level Company during the period 1867-1878. Although the Metallic Plane Company had achieved early domination, during the 1870's Stanley's better marketing procedures and price competition through the introduction of cheaper centennial "Liberty Bell" planes led to a gradual increase in Stanley's market share. The companies had similar inventories, including block planes, both handled and unhandled; metallic plow planes, such as the Miller's patent and the Auburn iron plow shown in this exhibit; and metallic fillister planes. Auburn's planes are ingenious and effective. They have held up favorably in comparison with metal planes from any period of production. By 1880 the Metallic Plane Company was no longer in business. It is believed that this was due to the death of Elliot Storke, the prime mover during the company's tenure. Storke was born in Aurelius, New York in 1811 and is remembered as having been superintendent of Cayuga County Schools, an active book publisher who established the Auburn Publishing Company and the author of an important history of Cayuga County during the Civil War as well as the 1879 __History of Cayuga County__. He was an organizer of the Merchant's Union Express Company and the chief principal in the Auburn Metallic Plane Company. The Metallic Plane Company was located at 1 Green Street, Auburn. Storke, who died on September 16, 1879, lived at 139 North Street." Copyright 1987, D. Weinstock
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