Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: lbgradwell on March 05, 2013, 12:02:03 PM

Title: Stupid Money! Why?
Post by: lbgradwell on March 05, 2013, 12:02:03 PM

This question was asked on the GG...

Why did this wrench sell for $785?!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-12-UNKNOWN-UNUSUAL-UNIQUE-RACK-TYPE-MONKEY-PIPE-WRENCH-/130830781731?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e761f4d23&nma=true&si=z4jVkKcK9QrcH0BLl2pgRQM55Dk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-12-UNKNOWN-UNUSUAL-UNIQUE-RACK-TYPE-MONKEY-PIPE-WRENCH-/130830781731?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e761f4d23&nma=true&si=z4jVkKcK9QrcH0BLl2pgRQM55Dk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

(http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/4/7/3/5/1/3/webimg/636170677_tp.jpg)

Title: Re: Stupid Money! Why?
Post by: Lewill2 on March 05, 2013, 01:02:40 PM

Hard to find and it is a form of quick adjust. Made by Novel Wrench Co. Patented Sept 25, 1883, Patent #285,449 by Charles Wells and Charles Newlin. Neat wrench and I have one in my collection. I think it went for a fair price. Odd ball hard to find quick adjust wrenches usually bring big bucks. That one is in a little better shape then mine. I thought it might have brought more then it did. I was watching the auction.

This is the full description I have in my wrench list for this wrench.

Quick Adjust Wrench, Novel Wrench Co Philadelphia, Believed to be Charles D. Wells and Charles A Newlin of Millville  NJ Patent, Patent #285,449 Patented September 25, 1883, 13 Inches Long, Not Listed, Novel Wrench Co Charter Was Declared as Lapsed by NJ in 1894 for Failure to Pay Company Charter Dues for 2 Consecutive Years 

Title: Re: Stupid Money! Why?
Post by: lbgradwell on March 05, 2013, 01:21:21 PM

Thanks for that explanation.

Maybe if the Seller had known what it was, it would have attracted more collectors. As it is, at least some serious people found it!

What were you anticipating it would sell for?

Title: Re: Stupid Money! Why?
Post by: Lewill2 on March 05, 2013, 01:59:44 PM

I was expecting it would break $900.

Title: Re: Stupid Money! Why?
Post by: lbgradwell on March 05, 2013, 02:18:43 PM

Incredible!

Title: Re: Stupid Money! Why?
Post by: HeelSpur on March 05, 2013, 05:31:26 PM

I would have thought they forgot a decimal point, holy cow.

Title: Re: Stupid Money! Why?
Post by: Lewill2 on March 05, 2013, 06:50:56 PM

The only other one I have seen on ebay sold for just over $1540 in 2010. Not listed in Cope's book or in Schulz's.

Title: Re: Stupid Money! Why?
Post by: lbgradwell on March 05, 2013, 07:40:49 PM

Quote from: Lewill2 on March 05, 2013, 06:50:56 PM

The only other one I have seen on ebay sold for just over $1540 in 2010.

Amazing.

So can we say it was produced between 1883 - 1894?

Title: Re: Stupid Money! Why?
Post by: Lewill2 on March 06, 2013, 12:38:50 PM

I was surprised by the Billings & spencer April 10, 1894 Lowe's patent wrench that just ended last night or the night before. It had owners initials stamped into the side and it still sold for $330. I stole mine at a local auction about 8 years ago for $20 and it still has about 90-95% of the nickel plating.