MJD Tools Introduction

INTRODUCTION Another year, another bigger and better Edition of The Catalogue of Antique Tools. Where will it ever end? Will the 1999 Edition feature a modest array of 22,000 tools, each concisely described, given the limited amount of space for writing that an 1100 page catalogue provides? You get the picture. Whatever the future may bring, we thank each of you for your support and encouragement. Every year, both in familiar places and cities that are a new stop on the tool trail, it is always encouraging to meet those of you who have until then had been just another name on a label on a fluorescent postcard. Your kind words about how much you enjoy The Catalogue of Antique Tools make it easier (not easy) to get up for weeks on end at 4:00 a.m. to sort tools, take photographs and incessantly peck away at the keyboard to produce, as is the case this year, 140,000 words of The Truth About Tools.

To address the question of where to go next more directly, I have a plan. The goal for the 1997 Edition, which arrived at even before the 1996 Edition went to press, was to produce a 1997 Edition comprising no less than 2000 tools. As you can see from this 160 page, 3000 tool opus, we made it. So what's next? Here's What: Let the word go forth that the modest goal for the 1998 Edition will be to produce the World's First-Ever MILLION DOLLAR TOOL CATALOGUE. That's right, One Million Dollars worth of tools... and I need your help. It would be physically impossible for one person to "find" that volume of tools in a single year, but to those of you who have cellars full of tools or those with one great item worthy of inclusion in such a Grand Endeavor, I have one request: Please, let's talk about the many benefits of consigning to the Greatest Antique Tool Catalogue of All Time: The 1998 Edition of The Catalogue of Antique Tools . Just to offer fair warning, especially to "the boys" (who already see and hear too much of me), if you get within earshot of Martin J. Donnelly this year, you're probably going to hear about the Million Dollar Tool Catalogue. For those who won't be around to hear the banter, just look in your mailbox next February.

A NOTE ON CONDITION AND PRESENTATION: The tools offered for sale in this catalogue have been individually selected for inclusion based on having met the exacting standard of quality and rarity of Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools. Generally, items have been grouped for presentation based on function or similarity of function. Ratings shown in parentheses at the end of each description are based on The Standard Condition Classification of Antique hand Tools, copyrighted by the Fine Tool Journal of Pownal, Maine. The vast majority of items included here are rated in FINE condition. Such tools, generally, are complete, flawless, totally usable and retain 90% or more of their original finishes on all surfaces. While it would be ideal to offer an entire catalogue of tools which meet the demanding test to be so classified, certain other items of great historical interest and/or rarity are featured as well, despite a lesser rating. In all instances I have attempted to carefully describe the positive features of each lot, while pointing out any flaws, or, politely, apologies. Those who have an interest in an item are encouraged to call. We will be happy to describe the condition of any tool in much greater detail than the limited space here will allow. Prospective buyers have my personal assurance that the classic antique tools offered herein are of a level of quality available nowhere else.

ORDERING INFORMATION: Those who wish to purchase items featured in this catalogue are encouraged to order by telephone, FAX, or E_Mail. Feel free to call between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.n. E.S.T. (TOLL FREE: (800) 869-0695 or (607) 776-6064). If you are really desperate to buy and the hour is late, call anyway. FAX orders may be sent at any time. Payment may be made in cash, by personal check, money order or feel free to use your VISA® or MasterCard®. Every effort will be made to have a real live Human Being available to answer the phone at all times. However, in those rare instances where it becomes necessary to "not be able to come to the phone right now", the answering machine will be left on. If you reach the answering machine and you wish to reserve an item, or you have a question about a specific tool, please leave your name telephone number and the catalogue number(s) of the item(s) in which you have an interest. Those lots will be held without obligation until I can speak with you personally. We will download electronic mail every hour, at a minimum,. E-Mail orders will be confirmed immediately by telephone, so a telephone number must be included for an order to be valid. Mail orders will, of course, be accepted, but it is highly recommended that you confirm the availability of tools you wish to purchase before sending payment.

All Correspondence should be directed to: Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools P.O. Box 281 31 Rumsey Street, Bath, N.Y. 14810 (800) 869-0695/(607) 776-9322 Fax: (607) 776-6064 E-Mail: mjd@mjdtools.com

For sales within the United States, shipping costs are included in the purchase price of all items that would do less than $500.00 worth of damage to your automobile if dropped on it from a second story window. In matters of dispute, a Trial by Gravity may be arranged. Canadian customers will be assessed an additional fee to offset extra postage costs. Overseas shipments will be sent Air Mail at actual cost. Generally, items sold will be shipped upon receipt of payment. Reserved tools will be held 7 days pending receipt of payment. All items are subject to return within 5 days if you are not completely satisfied. If for any reason, you are not satisfied with any item, please let me know as soon as possible. Sales tax at 8% is applicable to all New York State residents.

The tool collector's bookshelf: Reference Books for the Collecton and Graftsman. Increase your antique tool enjoyment: Treat yourself to a book today!

Your support of our Book Division is very much appreciated. We thank everyone who has made us their first choice for antique tool reference books and encourage others to do the same. We are committed to providing an ever expanding array of books for the tool collector. If you are interested in a specific book, we will go out of our way to get it for you. For thouse considering placing an order, feel free to call any time. We are here to server you.