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Collections are increasingly specialized, he says, as collectors zero in on categories such as auto, railroad, adjustable, woodworking and implement wrenches.
Sought-after pieces include wood-handled adjustable "monkey wrenches," "alligator wrenches" (with V-shaped gripper jaws for nuts and pipes); those stamped by railroad owners, and special pieces issued by tractor and plow companies.
Many older wrenches are multi-ended, usually with two or three gripping ends on at least one end (but usually both ends) of the shank. Typically, the name of the maker and a wrench or part number is raised on the handle, which makes the wrench easier to identify and more valuable.
"A lot of the manuals that showed parts and wrenches that came with the equipment have been discarded, as have old ads, articles and the like," she says. "Even dealer's manuals are scarce, and when one shows up, it's valuable for identification purposes."
For more information:
- Pembroke "P.T." Rathbone, Marsing, Idaho, is compiling a wrench reference book that will feature 770 companies. He's looking for wrenches to photograph and wrench pages from old machinery manuals. He's also in the process of remodelling a machinery building on his farm to house his collection of more than 2,400 wrenches. Pembroke T. Rathbone, RR 1, Box 734, Marsing, ID 83639-9578; phone (208) 896-4478.
- Missouri Valley Wrench Club, care of Virgil Saak, 403 Polk St., Baxter, IA 50028-1019. Dues: $10/year for membership, newsletter and member directory. Next auction: at the Fall Meeting, Oct. 17, Davenport, Iowa.
- Lucille Schulz: "Antique and Unusual Wrenches," RR 1, Box 151, Malcolm, NE 68402-9741; $14 plus $1.50 postage.
- Donald Snyder: "My First 1,000 Wrenches" and "My Second 1,000 Wrenches," 397 Clearwater Lake Dr., Polk City, FL 33868.