Date: Fri 11-Dec-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Tools

Full Text:

RICHARD D. POMPEO: THERE'S NO TOOL LIKE AN OLD TOOL

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By Rita Easton

BRAINTREE, MASS. -- A Scientific and Technology Tool Auction was held by

auctioneer Richard D. Pompeo on November 7 at the function hall of All Souls

Church. The event featured Nineteenth and Twentieth Century instruments.

More than 225 lots of antique and user tools were offered, with no phone or

left bids. Pompeo had gathered the items himself over a period of a year,

acting as his own picker. Of 100 attendees, 55 held bidding numbers. The

specialty auction realized a gross of $22,000.

Garnering the top price, a brass L.E. Gurley entineers transit, circa 1865,

made in Troy, N.Y., sold at $725.

A "Little Comfort" sewing machine, circa 1890, brought $325. The diminutive

hand cranked piece was small enough to be mistaken for a toy, but was actually

used for mending and repairing at the time. A DeForest ReFlex D-10 battery

operated radio, made in 1910, fetched $390 for the hard-to-find item.

"With a new battery and antenna, you could actually pick up radio stations

today," said Pompeo.

A "Fancy Florence" treadle-operated sewing machine, circa 1865, on an

unmistakably Victorian base, sold at $450; and two table top sewing machines,

circa 1865, barely recognizable as sewing devices, were purchased at $675 for

a Goodspeed and Wyman pawfoot in complete condition, and a low $100 for the

same model missing only a bobbin, bought by a second buyer who made the buy of

the day.

"There are people who repair these," said Pompeo, "and otherwise it was in

perfect condition."

Cameras included an Imperial Zeiss Ikon and an old Lundlach, "but they weren't

the greatest selling group," Pompeo noted. "There were no surprises." Camera

prices ranged from $65 to $100. Old press cameras remained at the $65 level.

A Humphrey's Veterinarian Kit sold at $400; a circa 1912 English engineers

transit on a tripod reached $150; a circa 1860 sextant made $450; and a small

steam engine, the brass item probably recognizable as such only to users of

the item and tool historians, achieved $150. A nostalgic Atwater Kent

cathedral plug-in radio, circa 1925-1930, reached $350.

A true rarity, two circa 1865 fluting irons, used to crimp neck ruffs on

period men's and women's attire, went out at $150 each. The devices were

heated by a five-foot long iron rod which was held in the fire, then inserted

with tongs (included in the lot) into the crimping cylinder, which cranked

with a handle.

Prices quoted do not reflect a required ten percent buyers premium.