Christopher Gabriel And The Tool Trade In 18th Century London

by Jane Rees, Mark Rees

This fascinating book by the British tool historians Jane and Michael Rees focuses on Christopher Gabriel, a noted 18th century planemaker. Gabriel was apprenticed at age 12 to a local master carpenter and worked with him until he turned 20. After a couple of years in Falmouth, he made his way to London – by walking the nearly 200 mile distance – to begin his distinguished career.

Gabriel’s account books, from 1770 to 1809, survive, and enable the authors to raw a picture of a small but developing business in an uncommon trade-planemaker and tool seller-and to trace Gabriel’s connections with other toolmakers of the time, both in London and elsewhere. Perhaps the most valuable parts of the Gabriel legacy are the two inventories of his stock that have survived. These inventories, which list his stock in some detail, are reproduced in full in the book with commentary by the authors to aid understanding. Gabriel marked the planes and braces he made, so these items can be identified and may still be found today by collectors. Included in this publication is a descriptive review of a group of his products.

92 pages. Illustrated with B&W photos and engravings throughout. 81/4″ x 101/2″. Soft cover.

Pages: 92
Binding: TP
Publisher: Astragal Press