Fishing Tackle: A Collector's Guide - Graham Turner
It really was only a matter of time before this title appeared here as "Book of the Month". First published in 1989 and regarded by some as the first real reference book for tackle collectors, this book has been the mainstay of collecting literature for a long time. Even after the publication of the enlarged "Ultimate Guide" the original volume is still highly thought of perhaps because of some of it's key elements, the inevitable chapter on Hardy Brother, for example, has a table of rod serial numbers, ideal for a dating any Hardy rod. Turner also lists a large number of tackle makers and retailers. For the larger and better known names he writes several pages, but even his list of Scottish tackle makers has proved invaluable. Having said that, the book is not somewhat dated, and some of its content flawed. Since Turner wrote the original text , we have learned so much more about the relationships between makers, retailers and brands. Nonetheless, Turner broke new ground with his books, laying a creditable foundation for all of us to build on. I have no doubt that anyone interested in vintage tackle should have a copy either of this edition of indeed Turner's much revised later volume, "The Ultimate Collector's Guide" on the book shelf.