Incredible! Rare! STANLEY No. 26 L. BROOKS Patent 1854 Inclinometer

$3,500.00

Considered the rarest of Stanley levels, the #26 Brooks’ Universal Plumb & Level is one of the Holy Grails of level collectors. Lebbeus Brooks was granted his patent on August 29, 1854 at the age of 24, and died 4 years later in 1858. His estate was auctioned off in November of that year and included 1/2 of the patent rights as well as a stock of parts for the levels. It is unknown if Stanley purchased the rights and stock of parts directly from the estate sale, but it is my belief that Stanley did use the leftover stock of parts originally made by Brooks himself for their offering of the tool. This fine 28″ mahogany example retains much of the original finish and original paper label. Previously from the legendary collection of Don Rosebrook. A very special pre-Civil War tool.

In stock