UNDERSTANDING THREADLINES: A COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO THE EARLY FIXED SPOOL FISHING REELS. By John Stephenson.

1992 1st edition. 8vo paperback (149 x 209mm). Pp231,ad. Colour and b/w photographs, illustrations. Edition limited to 1000 copies.

In "the following pages I have attempted to lift the myth and the mists surrounding the birth and development of the most interesting series of fishing reels, the Threadline. ...From birth in the late Victorian era, the Threadline reel grew into a cult reel sparking much debate as to its rights and status in the angler's creel, his hands and even his world. To say it took the angling fraternity by storm would be understating the case. Hailed as a golden discovery or despised as a machine of mass slaughter the angling periodicals carried endless expert opinions as to the effect on the fish, the angler and the waters. ....The intervention by Hardy Brothers of Alnwick sealed the fate of the Threadline and ...opened the the floodgates of the new era of Fixed Spool reels which dominates the reel sales to this day." Chapters include; Illingworth No. 1; Illingworth No. 2; Caswell Modified Illingworth No. 2; Foster of Ashbourne; Illingworth No. 3; Illingworth No. 4; Illingworth No. 5; Allan's patent spinning reels; Royde reel; Chippindale reels; Farshure reel; Walter Stanley; Milward Bartleet Torpedo; John Stuart Daniels; Peter O'Reilly; Ainsco reel; Helical reel; Hardy Brothers of Alnwick. An essential guide for collectors with many photographs as well as contemporary illustrations, advertisements and patent drawings.