Description

"RARE ANTIQUE 1800s ORIGINAL US PATENT MODEL CABINET MAKING MEASURING TOOL!" Up for sale is another unique example from the collection of Original US Patent Office Models. This is another unique patent model that was saved from the fire at the United States Patent Office in 1877. I am not exactly sure what this is because I did not see a description of it in the collection, but I remember seeing some early carpenter's measuring tools that were quite unusual. Especially the cabinetmaking tools. It is definitely an early invention, intended likely for measuring and patented before 1877. The patent model is made of wood, which could be mahogany, and brass. Notice the unusual dovetail details made of brass. The tool also has a remnant of the government's red tape given only to the inventions that received the patent at the US Patent Office. I can send this lot anywhere in the world, but the $25 shipping cost with a tracking number and a protective box is for Canadian and US customers only. Ask me first for the shipping rate if you live in a different country. This month I will be selling a very interesting collection of original American patent models from the 1800s. Some of them have been identified, and some are still waiting to be researched. Some models are quite complete, and some are missing parts. The models came from the collector in New York, and they all have been discovered in the United States. Each patent model, whatever it is a complete example or not, is a unique historical example, an important link in a chain of American inventions. Up to 1880, the United States Patent Office required an inventor to submit a model that would represent the invention in miniature. Every such model was made by hand, either by the inventor himself or by a skilled model maker. Both would use different materials to create patent models. Some parts were borrowed from everyday objects like clocks, tin cans, and cigar boxes, and some were hand cast out of brass, bronze, iron, and miscellaneous alloys. The models were submitted by inventors even after the year 1880. I had a model before made by an inventor in 1921. Many inventors simply continue making models and accompany them along with the drawings of their inventions to be sure that the patent will be granted. At first, the patent models were different in size, but later a requirement was set to be 12 by 12 by 12 inches for each model. Some inventors fulfilled such a requirement, and some didn't, because sometimes in order to fully demonstrate the model, dimensions had to be bigger than the requirement. I met the patent model of a steam condenser from 1864 that was almost 24 inches long. It had to be long because the condenser was actually tested with a real steam engine in order to receive the patent. If the patent was granted, the model would receive a special government red tape that was tied to the model to hold the identification paper or later cloth tag with a handwritten patent number, the name of the inventor, and the invention. Along with the paper tag, there was a receiving tag of a smaller size. The Patent Office accumulated those models and displayed them in a big building available for the public to watch. Unfortunately, the first fire broke down in 1836 and destroyed almost all early models and records. The second fire broke down in 1877. Many models got destroyed in fire or damaged. After 1880, the Patent Office ran out of storage space, and the models were placed abruptly in crates and stored in farm barns in horrible conditions. Many got damaged because of mishandling, insects, and humidity. What fire didn't have a chance to destroy, inappropriate storage did. That is why many models you see today have missing pieces, breakages, damaged or missing paper tags. It is a miracle that some of the models survived at all after going through so much in their lives! Some collectors or museums restore such models; some just slightly brush them from dust and debris, and some even attach missing parts printed on a 3D printer. Many models still remain unidentified, but within proper research, it is possible to find the name of the model and its inventor. It just takes time. Also, it is possible that somebody else has the missing parts of the patent models. They could be in a museum or a private collection. AUCTION TO HELP MY MOM ! Hello everybody, and thank you for visiting my eBay auctions! My name is Roma, and I am from Langley, British Columbia, Canada. These months, I will be listing some interesting antique and vintage objects from different collections to raise funds and help my mom with medical expenses. Every week, there will be some new objects listed. This is a great opportunity for everyone, including collectors and museums, to get unusual, rare, and one-of-a-kind examples. All items come from a smoke-free environment. If you have any questions or suggestions, you are welcome to let me know. Be sure to check my other listings for something rare and exciting! ABOUT SHIPPING Please note that the shipping charges mentioned in the listing are to the USA and Canada only. I can ship internationally but ask me for the exact quote before bidding. I always try to help, combine multiple purchases and use reliable and custom-designed packaging for every item. Regards, Roma.