American Levels and Their Makers Volume 1

by Don Rosebrook

A groundbreaking book on levels, from the leading expert in this area of tool collecting. The author’s meticulous research covers over 80 companies and individuals that made and/or sold levels in New England, starting with the earliest known level maker in 1743 and proceeding through the mid-twentieth century. For each maker, Rosebrook provides historical background and a full discussion of the maker’s product lines, accompanied by hundreds of photographs of sample levels (many in color) and, where possible, an indication of the level’s rarity. Also included are an extensive section on the Stanley Rule & Level Co., a full discussion of the product lines of such Boston area makers as Watts and Harmon, type studies for Davis, Stratton, and Stanley levels, many broadsides, instruction sheets, and other advertisements, and much more. The levels photographed for this volume come from collections all over the United States. American Levels and Their Makers fills a large void in the world of tool identification and is a must for the tool collector, the student of industrial technology, or anyone with an interest in such infinitely fascinating and beautiful tools.