Description:
A hollow plane has a concave sole, used to cut a rounded convex profile. Hollows are used in conjunction with other planes, such as hollows, to make complex molding profiles. Hollows and rounds are named for the profile on their soles, not the profile that they cut. Hollows and rounds were originally sold in sets of pairs; some companies sold them in sets of incrementally sizes because they were versatile and widely used. See: Graham Blackburn, “Traditional Woodworking Handtools: A Manual for the Woodworker, A Guide for the Enthusiast” (New York: The Lyons Press, 1988), 226-233.
The plane was manufactured by Fox & Washburn, and features the manufacturer imprint A. Possibly a partnership of Luther Fox and William Lyman Washburn, “who operated in 1835-1836.” According to the Pollaks, Luther Fox made planes in Amherst, MA from 1831-1843 (page 155), and William Lyman Washburn made planes in Amherst, MA from 1835-1840 (page 432). The partnerships that the Pollaks link with Fox and Washburn, respectively, are preceded with “probably.” As of 2/13/18, information on Fox & Washburn is inconclusive. The Pollaks rate this plane with three stars for very rare, which denotes between 50 and 100 known examples. See: Emil and Martyl Pollak, “A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes (New Jersey: Astragal Press, 2001), 8, 155.
The plane stock and wedge are beech. The plane iron was manufactured by the English firm William Ash & Company. There is a " \ " imprinted on the back of the plane iron, presumably an owner/user mark.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+83.109 |
