A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

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reelsmith.
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A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

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Jacob Weidmann

Jacob Weidmann was born in Switzerland in 1845 and at the age of 22 moved to the United States. Weidmann first worked for the Cheny Brothers, silk dyers located in Manchester, Connecticut and started his own company in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1870.

By the early-1900s The Jacob Weidmann Silk Dying Company was the largest silk dyeing works in the country, employing approximately 3,000 workers. He had become one of the central figures in the development of the silk dyeing industry.

In 1909 Weidmann sold the business, retired and moved back to Switzerland.

A member of the Spesutia Hunting and Fishing Clubs Of Harford County, Maryland, Weidmann died In 1911 while on a fishing trip in Canada.

The reels pictured below were all purchased in a single lot found in a small country auction in Switzerland. They were the only tackle items in the auction and it is unknown if the auction was of the Weidmann estate.





The Crook reel above was made by Montague/USN&T and is 2" in diameter.





The maker of the 2" reel pictured above is unknown to me.






Note the fancy rosettes on the Julius vom Hofe salmon reel pictured above.

The case appears to have been made by the same maker as the Kosmic cases.





The Kosmic reel pictured above is a model 925 and belonged to Jacob's daughter, Esther.

Note each reel is engraved and housed in a case, suggesting Weidmann took great pride in these reels.

It appears at least four of the reels were purchased in 1897.


___________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Dean.
Last edited by reelsmith. on Tue Sep 15, 2020 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wanted: Kosmic Items, Small Leather Fly Reel Cases, Early Fishing Related Bottles, Fly Reels and Pre-1900 Angling/Casting Medals.

http://www.tackletreasures.com/
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kyreels
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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by kyreels »

We are richer for the posting, thanks. Great scenic photography. Got to start attending those Swedish auctions more frequently.
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Paul M
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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by Paul M »

Interesting story and beautiful display of fine reels and cases!
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leland99
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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by leland99 »

Impressive display and history. Bryce
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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by bettybarr »

This display is unusual and tells a story of someone unfamiliar. The photography is beautiful. Thank you!
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Mike N
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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by Mike N »

Great research, and as we’ve come to expect from Dean, epic photography and layout.

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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by Stef Duma »

A great collection, very nice.
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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by seareel »

great find and display - seareel
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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by reeltackle »

When you can tell the story of not just the reel, but the man who owned the reel too, then you are really relating history in a way that makes it exponentially more interesting. Great display Dean and the photography is, as always, the best. Thanks for sharing my friend!
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Steve
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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by Steve »

Beautiful as always, Dean.
Any chance the "unknown" 2" reel has celluloid plates?

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reelsmith.
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Re: A Wealthy Man's Reels ...

Post by reelsmith. »

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the nice comments.

Ed, I too find it more interesting when I know the story of the man ...and there is a far better chance of that with engraved reels.

Steve, that unknown reel is hard rubber.

Dean.
Wanted: Kosmic Items, Small Leather Fly Reel Cases, Early Fishing Related Bottles, Fly Reels and Pre-1900 Angling/Casting Medals.

http://www.tackletreasures.com/
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