It's things like this that make running WVFFM so much fun, thanks for coming to look and sharing with me!
Some of you may have read the story of T J Harrington elsewhere on this site and when I wrote tat page I was certain that I had an example of all the relevant Harrington reels, including a version of the "Omnia" fixed spool reel. One of the Harrington reels that appears less often is the Regina, a multiplying version of the popular Gemina and I was pleased to acquire an example for the page. Then this turned up.... Firstly I must apologise for the photo quality - I wanted to get this photographed quickly ... The reel on the right in the first and second image is the Regina from the collection. On the left is the newcomer. It has many features in common with the Regina, same multiplying capabilities, same checkwork. Where it differes is in the frame casting, the spool perforations and the handle. The casting is also completely lacking in any branding. Clearly it is Harrington, and possibly an earlier version of the Regina? But why no branding? One though was that it may be a prototype, but then how does a prototype reel from a maker in Walton on Thames find its way to north Northumberland, where this reel was sourced?
It's things like this that make running WVFFM so much fun, thanks for coming to look and sharing with me!
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From time to time someone will message the Museum and ask me if I can do a valuation. To be absolutely frank, I really don't like doing this. There are a lot of reasons for this , but chief among them is that people almost always over-estimate the value of an item and are consequently disappointed when the value suggested is less than their own idea.
Like our laws, valuations are usually based on precedent, - listen to anyone on the Antiques Roadshow and they will probably say something like "one of these was sold for...". This is how we arrive at a value, by looking for previous sales of the same or similar items. I'll let you into a secret...it's not hard once you have identified the item. Once you know what to look for, an Internet Search will provide back catalogues from such specialist auctioneers as Mullock's. Similarly, the Advanced Search on EBay allows you to look at completed sales, again providing an insight into what people think an item is worth. You can also search retailers web sites, but be aware that the sort of price an item can command in a retail setting is not what you might be offered should you try to sell. "The price of a second-hand item is inversely proportional to the number of people who will pay it..." Having said this, one of the things I do enjoy, and am happy to have a stab at, is the identification of items. The quality of photos possible with a Smartphone today would have been the envy of hobbyist photographers a decade or so ago, and sending images has become part of our culture so in real terms it's never been easier to get stuff identified, so please send your puzzles...just don't ask me to tell you what they're worth! June seems somehow to have been quite an active month for new items coming in to WVFFM, and it's not over yet... First on the table is a rod, in a very sorry state, but historically interesting: As you can see from the pictures, it has had a rough time. It has lost the tip section, all of its original guides and whippings, the female ferrule is in poor shape. It probably started life as a three piece, two tip rod of about 12 feet in length and was made in a Brooklyn, NY workshop, perhaps by Fred Malleson. It's marked "Conroy, Bissett and Malleson", a partnership that broke up in 1881 when Malleson set out on his own. Details of the rod have been posted on the Classic Fly Rod forum and we are awaiting comments from the very well-informed membership there. Next up is also an American item, this time a reel, an early version of the blue-collar workhorse reel, the Pflueger Medalist: The reel has a simple check-pawl so predates the 1938 patented drag plate. It also has the pillared arbor which was replaced by the drum arbor in 1935. Finish is blued rather than painted, which is also interesting. Finally from an iconic American reel to a similarly iconic Scottish one: It is a very fine example of P D Malloch's patented "Sun and Planet" reel. The winding plate is brass which has been chemically treated or "bronzed". Rims are nickel silver and the back is Ebonite. Those of you who follow this column may remember we acquired a similar reel in December of last year but this example is in slightly better order. It also means that if WVFFM ever becomes a real (reel?) museum, we can show the internals as well as complete reel...
Maybe one day... Well here's it is, the end of May and I've turned over a new page in the calendar and still not got much new stuff written. However we still have new stuff coming in and I held this page over for a day in order to be able to show you: This is a really clean example of Heaton's 1888 patent spindleless reel, often confused with the Jardine reel of the same period, though this one clearly carried the patent number 18817. you can see the absence of a centre spindle in the third photo.
At the beginning of the month I had hinted at some new ideas about old friends in the collection. Unfortunately it didn't quite work the way I wanted it to, so I'm afraid the new articles I had planned are going to have to wait a wee while. Having said that, WVFFM has not been entirely idle, and there are a number of additions to the reel collection currently in process. One that is here and has been conserved is this lovely example of a post 1891 Messelbach Expert: There are a few more items in process which I'll be telling you about as they arrive, so lots to look forward to in May!
Over the years I have always avoided posting anything on 1st April. No matter how important or sincere an item might be, there's always the chance someone is going to think it's an April Fool or some other sort of wind up, so here is the "wind up" for March!
The Scottish Fly Fishing Show at Stirling Court Hotel was a great success from WVFFM's point of view. Not only did we attract the interest of the show visitors, but enjoyed long chats with the other exhibitors who came to look at the rods and reels we had on display. The "hardware" did exactly what it was meant to do and taking along a computer to be able to show people what the site is all about worked really well too. As a result of the work needed for the show, the acquisition rate has dropped but there is news of some old friends that I'm saving for a little later in the Month. Happy Easter to all our visitors! Had a great first day with many visitors taking an interest in the rods on display. The plan was to offer a glimpse of rod development from about 1850 to 1970 on both side of the Atlantic. A timeline of British-made reels also added to the interest. There's another day tomorrow and lots more to see. Fly tying and casting demonstrations all day, some 20 or so stalls offering fly tying materials, bespoke rods and wonderful accessories, as well as Paul Morgan from Coch-y-Bonddu books. Tickets £10 at the door at The Stirling Court Hotel, Stirling University.
Just a week today and Whiteadder's Virtual Fly Fishing Museum will burst out into the real world at Fly Fest 2018, Scotland's very own Fly Fishing Show. The show is taking place at the Stirling Court Hotel in the grounds of Stirling University, near Bridge of Allan and will be open from !0:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday 10th and from 10:00 am to $:00 pm on Sunday 11th. Tickets may be purchased at the door, £10 per day or £18 for a weekend ticket.
As well as WVFFM there will be casting and fly tying demonstrations, and more than 40 trade exhibitors. You can find out more at the Scottish Fly Fishing Show website HERE We'll be showing about 20 rods and ten reels from the collection, with a few other interesting items. It would be great to see you there!! Moscrop's "Manchester" ReelIf you have read the "Quest for Adjustable Drag" you will know I have a soft spot for The Manchester Reel as designed by John B Moscrop. These reels were so far ahead of their time and demonstrably the first "modern" fly reel to come to market. Find out more about this remarkable object here.
I also noticed an anomaly in the navigation route for British Reels, - a whole page charting a Timeline for the patterns of British made reels was being missed, so there's now a revised link to the pages. Hope you enjoy the changes. A Date for Your DiaryFor one weekend in March, Whiteadder's Virtual Fly Fishing Museum is going to go REAL! Fly Fest, the Scottish Fly Fair is being held on the weekend of 10th-11th March 2018 at the Stirling Court Hotel, Bridge of Allan, and WVFFM will be there. We hope to be showing about 20 rods and ten reels from the collection, plus a few other interesting "Bits and Bobs". Details of the event can be found here. And...this is what WVFFM got for Christmas, a nice 4" Young's Pattern 1 with an unusual spool catch, marked for William Robertson of Glasgow. Thank you Jim!!
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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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