Name/Title
Tap and Die Set of John Ucovich, 1880sEntry/Object ID
2025.77.2Description
Acc. No. 25.77.2
Subject Category: Tools; Businesses of Alameda, Carpenters
Date or Period: 1900s
Object: Tap and Die set
Description: A hinged wooden box with machine made slots with metal objects, and in the lid a red label stating: 'No. 331 / (in italics) Little Giant Jr. / Two Piece / Adjustable Die / Screw Plate', and then 'Instructions', underneath, 'Greenfield, Mass'.
On the side vague markings appear.
Largest object is marked pat. 1830268.
Box top is dovetailed. Closing with two metal hooks. Top of lid has remnants of a black label with in red italic type what appears to be ‘Little Giant Jr’.
Size: W 18” x D 6 1/4" x H (closed) 2 1/2.
History of Object: Antique Tap and Die chest, with original taps and dies used by John Ucovich (1877-1938), grandfather of the donor, an immigrant carpenter from Montenegro. He moved to Alameda around 1925, and ran a trucking business in Oakland. By 1938 John (aged 61) lived with his wife, Myrtle May, at 775 Santa Clara. He died as the result of injuries sustained after being run over by a streetcar on March 28, 1938.
Donation Date: 12/8/2018
Catalog Date: 11/3/2025
