Q. Do my antique wood clamps have any monetary value?

A. In the days when we used to hold estate sales, we observed that some of the best-selling items often were old tools. Many times a man would walk in the door and the first words out of his mouth would be: "Any tools?" If there were no tools, disappointment and a quick departure often ensued.

Some old tools can be quite valuable, but usually these fall in very narrow categories that include rare tools along with desirable tools made by famous makers, tools made in the 18th or early 19th century, tools that have above average decorative merit, and tools made from exotic materials such as silver, ivory or whale parts.

It would be difficult to overestimate the importance of tools. Some say that the use of these objects is one of the major things that separates man from the lower orders of animals, and it is tools that have allowed mankind to advance his civilization and material culture over the millennia.

It is interesting to pause and think for a second that there could be no antiques without tools. Without tools, Leonardo da Vinci could not have painted the Mona Lisa. Without tools, Tiffany Studios could not have created those beautiful lamps, and without tools the great furniture makers could not have crafted their wooden masterworks.

The possibilities for tool collecting are endless. Some enthusiasts collect woodworking tools, others collect metalworking tools, some collect basket-making tools, and some collect leather working tools. Others are more focused and collect such things as tools for measuring, tools with sharp edges, tools used for boring holes, and so on.

There is even a category of tools collectors call "whatsits," meaning they have no idea how the item might have been used or what it actually is. This is a fascinating area of collecting because the research and the investigation into the reality of a tool and its use can be a serious undertaking.

The tools in today's question are not uncommon. They are simple wood clamps made from hardwood that were used to hold two (or more) pieces of wood together while they were being glued. These came in a variety of sizes from relatively small examples -- like the ones seen here, to some rarer examples that are quite large, sometimes as big as 4 to 5 feet in length.

These cabinetmaker's or woodworker's clamps were used for making or repairing furniture, and they can be very decorative when hung as a group on a wall. The ones shown here probably have hand turned screw threads, and date from the second half of the 19th century.

For the most part, casual tool collectors are thrifty (yes, that is polite speak for "cheap") and many times they are looking for old tools that they plan to use in their workshops. Serious collectors who might pay $15,000 or even more for a rare and fancy wood plane or a one-of-a-kind tool made from ivory, will pay very little for more common tools.

We do not know the exact size of these clamps, but feel they have an insurance replacement value of between $80 and $100 if they are in workable condition.

Send questions to Treasures in Your Attic, P.O. Box 27540, Knoxville, TN 37927, or e-mail treasures@knology.net.