You have perhaps seen the last post earlier this month, a little aside about the American Rods section of the Museum. Still working on this as time (and Millie) permit, but wanted to show you a couple of things that arrived during June. For some time now I've been looking for an item from the output of William Phin, an Edinburgh tackle maker active from 1810 to 1894, though from 1832 -58 his widow ran the business until his son C A Phin took over the reins. The reel on the right of the picture is marked on the face in a simple shield-shaped cartouche "PHIN MAKER EDINR". It is a 2 3/4" reel, all brass, with hand cut steel screws and a turned hardwood handle. The 2 1/2" reel on the left came in soon after the first. It has an ivory handle and is marked, in a shield-shaped cartouche, "HOGG MAKER EDINR." Interesting eh? Francis Hogg began trading in Edinburgh in 1837. The business continued until 1887 but from about 1850 operated by his widow, Isabella, who styled herself in trade as "Mrs F. Hogg". Phin was well known for the quality of his rods which he made himself, but little is known of the source of reels sold in the city at this time and I hope to be able to discover more in the future...
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Since the Museum has acquired a few early American made rods in the last few months, and the fact that I was never that happy with the existing pictures, I set about trying to photograph some of the rods. I got a few done, until one member of staff decided that we had done enough photography for one day... ...the rest of the rods will have to wait, as will the updated page. I am pleased with the results so far and will confirm when the new material goes live, once Millie lets me finish the photos!
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AuthorIf you've had a look at the "About" page, you know what this is all for. Here you'll find progress reports on new items and other developments on the site. Archives
April 2023
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