Well, not my neighborhood library. The Smithsonian Institute NMAH Library, which happens to be in the next neighborhood over.
I went to do some research on the National Museum of American History's collections. In addition to the Americana they usually keep on exhibit, they have an extensive collection of trade literature that SI members and the public can perform research on.
Archival trade literature on the internet seems to be extremely difficult to find (for various reasons - first, the historical significance is low from the perspective of traditional academia, and second, sales of trade literature seems to be an eBay thing. And the best way to scare anyone is to destroy their economy.)
I figured I'd go ahead and request all the information I could get on Wilton, Reed, Parker, and Morgan vises. Apparently they have several other manufacturers of American vises, but none of the names registered with me. I picked these vises because they seem to the be among the most popular here on GJ. Unfortunately, Rock Island wasn't represented, but perhaps someday something will be donated to the SI.
I thought that Chicago Tool Company made some vises, and they did through their "Palmgren" line, but most of the vises they made were machining vises, which weren't particularly interesting.
If you ever choose to do research at the SI, remember to schedule your appointment after 9:30am. Parking on Pennsylvania and Constitution really opens up, and instead of paying $25 for a Colonial Parking garage, you can pay $5.00 on Parkmobile for street parking virtually anywhere.
Chas Parker’s trade literature collection was quite large. They have many, many catalogs spanning a long period from the turn of the century up through the 30’s. Their “How to Use a Vise” sales flyer is quite amusing - I would love to see the directions reprinted on modern paper and given away with every vise sold.)
On the way out of the Smithsonian, there was a DC Water truck with a large, newer Wilton Tradesman vise mounted to the back. What a coincidence!
I went to do some research on the National Museum of American History's collections. In addition to the Americana they usually keep on exhibit, they have an extensive collection of trade literature that SI members and the public can perform research on.
Archival trade literature on the internet seems to be extremely difficult to find (for various reasons - first, the historical significance is low from the perspective of traditional academia, and second, sales of trade literature seems to be an eBay thing. And the best way to scare anyone is to destroy their economy.)
I figured I'd go ahead and request all the information I could get on Wilton, Reed, Parker, and Morgan vises. Apparently they have several other manufacturers of American vises, but none of the names registered with me. I picked these vises because they seem to the be among the most popular here on GJ. Unfortunately, Rock Island wasn't represented, but perhaps someday something will be donated to the SI.
I thought that Chicago Tool Company made some vises, and they did through their "Palmgren" line, but most of the vises they made were machining vises, which weren't particularly interesting.
If you ever choose to do research at the SI, remember to schedule your appointment after 9:30am. Parking on Pennsylvania and Constitution really opens up, and instead of paying $25 for a Colonial Parking garage, you can pay $5.00 on Parkmobile for street parking virtually anywhere.
Chas Parker’s trade literature collection was quite large. They have many, many catalogs spanning a long period from the turn of the century up through the 30’s. Their “How to Use a Vise” sales flyer is quite amusing - I would love to see the directions reprinted on modern paper and given away with every vise sold.)
On the way out of the Smithsonian, there was a DC Water truck with a large, newer Wilton Tradesman vise mounted to the back. What a coincidence!
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. I have a list of about 150 titles to look up whenever I get around to making a visit.
