W Brooks Planes
William Brooks (ca 1733-1807)
Philadelphia, PA
1762 Marriage document lists William as a carpenter.
1774 Philadelphia tax list has William as a joiner
1780 Philadelphia tax list has William as a plain maker
1808 probate document records William as a plane maker and his inventory includes both his working planes as well as planes which are unfinished
(See the W Brooks entry under New Information.)
(This entry will expand as others contribute.)
An initial assessment of plane features suggests the W Brooks (incuse) planes, B imprint, are the oldest. A1 imprinted planes have both early features (flat chamfers and early totes similar to Martin and Napier) as well as later features (rounded chamfers and later styled totes). To date only the A1 planes exhibit later traits. The continuation of styles for the A1 planes probably indicates not only was this mark used for a significant amount of Williams' working years, it was probably the last imprint he used. This fits with the A mark being the initial state for the A1 imprint.
(B) imprint molder, (A1) imprint toted molder with rounded chamfers and later style tote, (A1) veneer smoother with flat chamfers.
Incuse W Brooks (B) imprint 10" long molding plane. Large rounded wedge finial not shown in GAWP5.
W Brooks (A1) imprint veneer smoother with flat chamfers.
W Brooks (A1) imprint toted groove plane with flat chamfers and earlier styled tote. The wedge is a period replacement.
W Brooks (A1) imprint toted molding plane with rounded chamfers and later styled tote. Tote is slightly offset.
