I have recently picked up several Pflueger 1020 "Pelicans". I like them for their industrial design quality as much as other attributes. Noticed that several other models from the same era have interesting details that set them apart from many other manufacturers. At the same time, I have seen several reels under the Mepps name that are very unique in their design details and exhibit similar approaches to expressing the manufacturing and assembly issues. I would categorize the design of these reels under the general category of constructivist expressionism. Or, you might describe them as Ben Wright did - as coming from the moon.
Regardless, I would like to find out more about the reel designers responsible for these wonderful machines and whether there was dialogue or debate among the various schools of design (if any existed) working for all the different manufacturers of the time. For me, Orvis reels of the period have nothing to offer aesthetically while the aforementioned manufacturers and some others created some off-beat and truly interesting looking efforts.
Having been at this collecting thing for only a short time I am struck by the difference in prices paid for items. For some it seems a point of pride to pay thousands of dollars for a single reel due to its rarety alone. Is it beautiful or really unique or just one of only a few manufactured? Is it made of unique and rare materials or processes that only lasted a short time? For me two things seem operative: unique and unusual design and price. I am trying to collect the most interesting (to me) examples of early, successful reel designs at a "reasonable" price. Have I paid too much? Undoubtedly, I have at one point or another. Have I gotten some real bargains? Only time will tell.
I'd be interested first in any information about the designers and the products they designed and second, in what you think about why you collect what you collect. This is not a test, just a conversation.
Pflueger Spinning Reels
Spinning Reels - Design & Workmanship
I don't consider myself a rookie but I wouldn't call myself an expert either when it comes to the length of time I have been collecting spin reels. Like you I am intrigued by the various designs, quality, and materials used to make them. I got interested in collecting spin reels about 5 years ago from my occupation in reel repair and have been hooked ever since (Thanks to Ben Wright & Kelly Plumber!). The various designs of mainly older spin reels is one of the things I find most interesting about them. From the simple to complex and everthing in-between every model has it's own characteristics of quality, durability, materials used, and even the ease of use & repair are an important factors. Some reels were designed which are almost impossible to disassemble without special tools and others due to die-electric properties of dissimilar metals, age, and moisture are not easily taken apart. This is especially true with screws and other parts which are threaded if they have not been previously taken apart and lubed. The Europeans were far ahead of the US in terms of variety, numbers of spin reel mfgs., length of production, models, and designs. The US did produce a number of different spin reels with odd or very unusual design characteristics, the Pflueger 1020 is one of them. Others include Uslan, Harrison Auto Max 100, Jim Tatman's Rapid Retrieve, OTCO or Ashaway Slipcast, a real oddball called the Taffy, and etc, etc. The US also made some very high quality spin reels like the Shakespeare's (many models & my favorite) & Penn Spinfishers. The Shakespeare Spin Wonder 2065 doesn't get a lot of attention from collectors but it has a gear design that is very different from anything I have seen. I couldn't even begin to name all the European spin reels with unique and/or high quality designs. The best source I know of for older and collectible spin reels are Ben Wright's books. Randy Heller
ARCHITECT!
Ahaa...After reading your post, I suspected you were an architect. I'm way out of the loop with the latest but the terms you used sounded really familiar. It would be a kick to see what kind of reel Mies or FLW or Gaudi would have designed!
If you want to learn more about old reels and their designers, join ORCA, if you have not already. Get all 12 years or so of the REEL NEWS back issues and you'll have more info to digest than what you needed to study for the licensing exam! Of course, it'll take less than 1/16th of the time to get through!
Wish I could say I collect because of an appreciation for design but, to the disappointment of my former instructors, it's really about connections with personal experience. I still have a deep respect and an amazement for the level of craftsmanship put into early reels.
If you want to learn more about old reels and their designers, join ORCA, if you have not already. Get all 12 years or so of the REEL NEWS back issues and you'll have more info to digest than what you needed to study for the licensing exam! Of course, it'll take less than 1/16th of the time to get through!
Wish I could say I collect because of an appreciation for design but, to the disappointment of my former instructors, it's really about connections with personal experience. I still have a deep respect and an amazement for the level of craftsmanship put into early reels.