For those of you that are unfamiliar with this book, here is the review written by (then) ORCA President Tom Harwood in 1996:
"Stunned silence was the reply when I called Phil to tell him what I thought of his new book. Well, what do you expect when you call someone up to converse about their lifetime's effort to produce a reference book and you say "I don't like it". I then said, "as someone who hopes someday to write a reference book myself, I think that you've created a new standard that will be impossible to live up to."
From the treatment of the long standing controversy of the pronunciation of MY-SELL-BOCK to the comprehensive index, this book exhibits a great mix of historical storytelling with a fact base that is complete and extensive. While Phil did benefit from being able to converse with a family member, and was able to gain access to some company records, the amount and breadth of original research is staggering. What makes this book truly stand out is how this knowledge was compiled and organized.
"Both Meisselbach and M-C sections begin with a historical briefing broken into stages of each company's life followed by a section on dating and markings found on the products. Then come chapters, divided by reel type, which describe each product, dates made, variations noted, a picture or illustration, and the item's scarcity. Next is a checklist for each item, followed by company addresses, a chronological list of patents, a listing of catalogs and other paper items, and finally, a nice section of reel boxes with photographs. Perhaps most amazingly of all, for Meisselbach's manufactured from 1921 through 1941, a chart is included showing the numbers produced for each model. See what I mean about a tough act to follow?
"There are numerous patent illustrations and advertising copies sprinkled throughout. Anyone with a passing interest in fishing reels, the Meisselbach companies, or who would just appreciate an interesting and organized treatise, should buy a copy. It has my highest recommendation."
ALL AVAILABLE COPIES ARE GONE. THANKS, ORCANS
