Woodingdean: Collector selling off antique workmen's tools

John Morris, 88, from Woodingdean, has been finding and restoring tools for 45 years.

He has made the decision to sell his historic collection, some of which are more than 300 years old.

The hobbyist is hoping his collection can be sold to other like-minded people.

John Morris has been collecting for 45 years (Image: The Argus)

Mr Morris told The Argus: “I started collecting in 1978 and I have had enormous enjoyment out of it.

"It’s been my main hobby, getting hold of these things, restoring them and getting them into working order. I have got to an age now, I haven’t got all that much longer to go.

“I don’t want it to be left to my wife Judy to deal with. I thought I’d sell it off. I want it to go to like-minded people. People who appreciate it rather than want to sell it on again.

Pictured is John's blacksmith collection, right, and wood cutting collection, left (Image: The Argus)

“I have already sold the blacksmith's stuff on eBay.

“I’m selling it in job lots if I can, so the farmers, cobblers and coopers, logging and woodsman stuff. That way it will go to like-minded people hopefully.”

Mr Morris, who worked in a furniture factory for much of his career, started collecting in 1978 after his sister gave him a large bow saw.

He worked as an accountant in London straight after school commuting from Brighton every day which he said he "hated every moment of".

Mr Morris said: "I have always been practical and always had a huge collection of tools. Without any job to go to, I left the accountants and started as a junior."

He joined a furniture factory soon after in 1956.

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Since then, Mr Morris has collected tools which are mostly in a poor, rusting condition and spent painstaking hours to restore them to their former glory.

He has collected items from professions including blacksmiths, cobblers, coopers, engineers, photographers, farmers, engravers, plumbers, wheelwrights (person who makes wooden wheels) and printers.

Mr Morris said one of the most unusual items he has is a cork crusher, which was used to fit corks into glass bottles and often used by chemists when providing medicine in bottles for people.

Among his collection is also a marmalade cutter which shreds oranges in the process of making the fruit preserve.

His wife Judy Morris said: "I love the collection."

A marmalade cutter that John has collected (Image: The Argus)

“I’ll be very sad to see the collection go. This used to be my garage, but I converted it to another room to hold all this stuff”, said Mr Morris.

“When this goes, I want to turn it into a big snug. I have a beautiful oak table in here.

“We never had children but every person who comes here is really interested in it.”