Small Bead Plane (1/8")
Dateca.1790-1810
Maker
John Lindenberger
1754 - 1817
MediumBirch, rosewood, iron, copper, and steel
DimensionsLength: 10"
Credit LineGift of Thomas Elliott
Object number2024-296
DescriptionSmall bead plane with flat chamfers that terminate with a line and turn out, a relieved Joseph Fuller-style wedge, and rosewood boxing. A copper rivet and washer secured the body just behind the escapement.Label TextThis plane was made by a true American "jack of many trades," John Lindenberger (1754-1817). Born in Baltimore in 1754, John served in the Revolutionary War as an Ensign of the German Regiment and as a 1st. Lieut. of the 4th Continental Artillery. Lindenberger fought at the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Trenton, and Princeton. After the war, Lindenberger relocated to Providence, where he had set up shop by 1786. The next year, he advertised that he was "carrying on the planemaking business," in addition to other activities.
Lindenberger was also a blacksmith, toolmaker, architecture instructor, and merchant. When he died in 1817, his inventory included 1500 feel of "Beech and birch stuff," 962 molding plane irons, 391 molding planes, 59 bench planes, two moving filister planes, and three plow planes.Mark(s)The toe of the plane marked with "I:LINDENBERGER" in italic relief within a rectangle (Elliott, AWP, p.229, imprint A1), and an effaced rectangular initial mark. The heel is struck with the size mark "2."ProvenanceJanuary 2000, purchased by Thomas Elliott (Westbrook, CT); 2024, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)
