About Clarence Blanchard:
Clarence Blanchard is the president of Antique & Collectible Tools Inc., the corporation that owns the Fine Tool Journal and Brown Auction Services.
Clarence was born in the rural town of Milo, Maine.
Living in a lumbering community, he quickly learned how to work with his hands.
His desire to be with his father during the working day forced young Clarence Junior to quickly acquire the craftsman skills needed to follow his father to work.
Therefore, he was involved with tools early in his life and his passion began. He put his interest in tools aside to seek a formal education.In 1971, he completed his degree as a chemical engineer at the University of Maine. After graduation, Clarence began work in the construction business for F. W. Cunningham as a Project Manager.
While working for Cunningham, his interest in tools thrived.
He began to acquire a collection from flea markets, antique shops, and tool shows.His aspirations as a tool collector intensified over the next sixteen years, compelling Clarence to seek greater involvement within the tool collecting community.
This culminated in the purchase of the Fine Tool Journal in 1995 from Vern Ward of southern Vermont.Not long after his purchase, Clarence left his job at Cunnningham and fully immersed himself in the antique tool world.
Publishing the journal allows Clarence to share his passion for woodworking and tools with others.
It also gives him a chance to reminisce about the long hours spent working with his father and share this father/son connection with other men.His collecting hobby turned from weekend entertainment to a 7-day-a-week job, but Clarence continued to pursue more business adventures within this specialized community.
After two years of successful publishing, Clarence purchased the Brown Auction Services and continues to run it in corroboration with Mickey Holmes - who functions as the auction coordinator.
In 2000, an April auction was added, featuring prominent collectors such as Dan Connelly, Dr. Michael Jenkins, Joe Hannagan and Bill Rigler.
Clarence continues to spend many long hours in the office in Pownal, Maine: publishing, auctioneering, and selling antique tools, Lie-Nielsen tools and books.
The business remains a small, family-owned business with Clarence's two children working for him.
Donna Friberg, the high energy Executive's Assistant, gracefully manages the cumbersome role of maintaining the office.
Jim Sherman serves as our good-natured and always smiling Shipping and Receiving Coordinator. He can wrap, pack and bullet-proof any package well beyond what Brown can do for it.
Wally Farrington is our astute photographer, who dedicates long hours to ensuring each item is adequately photographed.