This website is for the purpose of sharing my collection and research with other collectors for their enjoyment and their learning more about the history related to these artifacts.
I began collecting vintage tools in 2010 with the desire to find tools that I could utilize in my wood shop, especially hand planes. I met a renown collector, Herb Kean, via eBay early in 2010 who became a good friend and mentor in tool collecting. I have purchased a large number of items from Herb over the years including the surgeon’s brace which graces my home page on this site.
I purchased my first brace from Herb on June 28, 2010 and the rest is history as some say. Herb was an avid brace collector and an expert on braces. I have enjoyed visiting Herb at his home in New Jersey, gaining knowledge from him and especially listening to his many stories.
I never met Dr Ronald Pearson as he passed away shortly after I became interested in collecting braces but I have heard that he was a great man and an ardent brace collector. His book, The American Patented Brace 1829-1924, remains the main resource for patented brace collectors and his system of rating the rarity of patented braces is still often used. I have been fortunate in being able to acquire a few braces that were from his personal collection which I value and will make note of in my documentation.
I have been privileged in my tool collecting to have been able to acquire some very nice examples of vintage braces and related boring tools that were used by individuals from the common lay person to highly skilled craftsmen and I have the awesome privilege of being their caretaker for a short segment of their existence. I value the history that each one of these tools carry with them and often wonder who made them, who used them, and what was created using them. Even the braces that were broken yet repaired with extreme craftsmanship tells the story of a craftsman who valued their tool and demonstrated their skill in the repair which speaks volumes of their abilities. While some collectors shy away from these repaired tools, I see beauty and craftsmanship from long ago while we live in a culture of disposal goods today.
I know it will take much effort and time to photograph my collection and document it within the pages of this site but please check back often during this time of chronicling and research to discover what new insights I find along the way. During this time, please feel free to offer suggestions on the build and content of the site and check out my Google Albums where I have stored photos and research that I had done before starting this site.
Stan Morgan – Brace Whisperer
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
