|
Miniature Nicholl's Square (Produced in 1904)
|
This square was given, as a promotional item, by Nicholl's Manufacturing and Hardsocg Manufacturing of Ottumwa, Iowa who had a display at the 1904 World's Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. These squares were found in a shoebox in the attic when the Nicholl's Manufacturing Company went out of business in June of 1986.
Hardsocg Manufacturing Company was started by Martin Hardsocg. He started out sharpening miner's picks in Avery, Iowa. He moved to Ottumwa and invented the famous Hardsocg's Little Wonder Drill which was used to open the copper mines in South America and the diamond mines in Africa. It became world famous!
He had two sons, Lester and Fred, who had dozens of patents, including the Nicholl's Square, to their credit. The Nicholl's Square was said to have enough information on it to build an entire house_ Nicholl's Manufacturing Company was run by Fred Hardsocg.
This miniature square was produced with such exactness that the numbers
can even be read with a magnifying glass. This square has legs of 3/4-inch and 1 1/8-inch. It was produced to hang on a chain, possibly as a watch fob.
Mid-West Tool Collectors Spring 1987
Springfield, Illinois
M-WTCA had a tradition of having some “give a way” for each national meeting and these were what it was for that meeting. They got away from that several years ago as most people attended for the tools and fellowship and really did not care for what was given away!
Nonetheless, a delightful and unusual square
CONDITION
Very good
Very good
Card shows wear
No other issues noted
See all pictures
Please contact us with any questions!