About Noel Kelly - Leather Tool Designer, New Zealand

Noel and Mary, in Noel's tool making workshop
Above: Noel and Mary
Hi, I'm Noel Kelly. Thirtynine years ago I began making leather stamps. The first were chrome plated metal, 237 designs. Then came the Kelly Embossing Punches in hardened steel for metals such as copper, brass, and silver. These were followed by the BossButtons and Carvertools made from glass fibre reinforced nylon. These 'plastic' tools are still in use today in many countries. Then came the Midas gilt-plated metal range of 232 tools numbered 101 to 333, followed by a range of carving tools with numbers ranging from 504 thru 804. All were gilt-plated with the herring bone handle stamping unique to Kelly Midas Tools. 30 years later enthusiasts and collectors are still chasing these tools worldwide.

In 1979 as a member of The Leathercraft Guild USA, I was asked to produce the Guild Insignia as a leather stamp. This tool was stamped 'Kelly Tool Co New Zealand MIDAS 100'.

No more new designs were made by Kelly Tool Company in New Zealand after 1981.

Thirtynine years later, I have proudly created a new range of distinctive tools compatible with the original Midas range. Much passion and research has gone into the creation of these stamping tools which should appeal to both enthusiasts and collectors alike.

I have hand-finished each tool with the craftmanship gained over 50 years. Each tool is individually finished to provide the best visual stamping facility, and is identified by the sure-grip herring bone handle stamping of my original Midas tools.

For more information, see my home page.

Noel Kelly - leather stamping tool designer and maker
Kelly Midas Classics
New Zealand