Offered is an unusually complete and historically interesting early Stanley No. 55 Universal Plane, commonly identified as Type 1, circa 1897–1905. The outfit has survived with the early plane, 51 of the 52 correct No. 55 cutters, all four original numbered wooden cutter boxes, numerous original accessories, and its early picture-label wooden storage TYPE 1 IDENTIFICATION
The plane carries the early skate marking:
STANLEY RULE & LEVEL CO.
PAT\'D SEP. 19, 93
PAT\'D JAN. 22, 95
These early patent markings are associated with the Type 1 Stanley No. 55, manufactured approximately 1897–1905.
The plane retains its early configuration, nickel-plated cast-iron components and rosewood handles and fittings.
The four original Stanley cutter boxes, Nos. 1 through 4, are present with their original green printed labels.
The cutters have been individually checked against the numbered positions on the original box labels. 51 of the 52 correct No. 55 cutters are present and sharp.
The correct No. 8 No. 55 cutter is missing. In its position was found an earlier Stanley No. 8 cutter bearing an Oct. 24, 1882 patent date. This earlier cutter is visibly different from the No. 55 cutters and is not being represented as part of the correct No. 55 cutter set. It will be included with the outfit as found and is shown separately in the photographs.
The remaining 51 cutters correspond to the numbered positions in the original cutter boxes.
The boxes retain their original green Stanley paper labels identifying the cutter profiles and bearing the early Stanley Rule & Level Co., New Britain, Conn., U.S.A. identification.
One cutter-box lid is an old replacement and is disclosed for accuracy.
ORIGINAL EARLY PICTURE-LABEL STORAGE CHEST
The original dovetailed wooden storage chest retains its large early pictorial label showing the No. 55 and reading:
No. 55
STANLEY
PATENT
UNIVERSAL PLANE
The chest is an important part of this outfit and has remained with the plane despite more than a century of use and storage.
The chest lid is original but has broken/worn edges that allow the lid to drop down into the chest rather than seat properly on the upper edges. Please see photographs. I have deliberately left the chest and lid as found rather than attempting a modern repair or replacement.
T. B. RAYL & CO. – DETROIT DEALER PROVENANCE
Of particular historical interest is the surviving period hardware-store label beneath the Stanley label.
The visible portions read “THE T. B. R...” and “DETROIT,” identifying it as a label from T. B. Rayl & Co. of Detroit, Michigan, the prominent Detroit hardware and tool retailer.
T. B. Rayl & Co. was a major period hardware concern and is documented as dealing in woodworking tools and Stanley products during this era.
The surviving dealer label provides an unusual glimpse into the original retail history of this particular No. 55 outfit and is one reason the chest has intentionally been left completely plane is offered in unrestored antique condition.
The nickel plating shows considerable age-related loss, oxidation, spotting and surface discoloration. These surfaces have not been polished, replated or refinished.
The rosewood components show normal age and use but retain attractive original character. There is a unrepaired crack in the lower portion of the handle (visible in pictures).
The plane itself appears complete and, upon inspection, no broken castings, weld repairs or intentionally altered plane components have been observed.
The original wooden chest shows substantial age and use, including scratches, staining, edge wear and losses to the paper labels. As noted above, the original chest lid has damaged/broken edges and no longer seats correctly. But it has that great hardware store label.
One lid on the four cutter boxes is a replacement.
Early Type 1 manufacture (1897–1905), 51 of 52 correct No. 55 cutters, four original numbered cutter boxes, original early picture-label chest, early 1893/1895 patent markings, and surviving T. B. Rayl & Co. Detroit dealer provenance.
Please study all photographs carefully. They form an important part of the description and show the exact plane, cutters, boxes, accessories and condition being offered. Sold as found, as is.
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