Nice Shakespeare Find today

[limnos]

Early William Shakespeare Jr. Standard model Handmade reel. Sterling silver side plates never polished, nice and black. Cracks at a couple pillars, but click works and plating on nickel plated parts is super nice. Not listed in the 1902 catalog. So, 1900 and 1901 only? Early for sure.

[limnos]

I have decided to offer this reel for sale. Condition is as seen in pictures, is in untouched\uncleaned condition as found in the field. After talking to some very knowledgeable folks, this is an extremely rare Shakespeare reel. I'm asking 1500.00 for the reel, I will entertain offers or it goes to the first person that says they want it at that price. I would take any Bristol Steel rods calendars, tin or cardboard signs, or pre-1915 Bristol catalog I need (I don't need but a couple, I have the rest) in full or partial trade, depending on what it is, for my collection. Thanks.

I can be contacted at 608-558-9657

[Robyn Summerlin]

Congratulations! That's a really tough reel from 1901 with only a few known to exist. Mine came missing one of the small screws on the headplate and Len Sawisch generously gifted me with a replacement screw. I'd be interested in hearing how you found this one.

[limnos]

Bottom shelf in the back room of a small town antique store.

[Richard Lodge]

That's a very neat reel. I've never seen one and it's nice to be able to study the photos. Is the metal strip on the edge a sliding lock or drag of some sort?
Way above my pay grade, and I don't collect bait casting reels like that, but it's great to have a gander at a rare reel. Sort of an ORCA version of a "barn find" by an antique car collector, IMHO.
Richard

[wrong99]

Could that be professionally repaired?
Mark

[Robyn Summerlin]

Here's the Rubber Standard, Shakespeare's 2nd reel, from the 1901 catalog which I think Harvey Garrison sent me (but I failed to note the donor).

Eric Jeska, Wm. Shakespeare's grandson, wrote in "Honor Built, Honor Sold" (1997), "A second reel design was submitted for patent on April 27th, 1901 and the patent for this non-level winding "Vom Hofe" style reel was made of jet black hard rubber with decoratively turned pillars and handsome silver plated end plates. Like the Style C, this Quadruple reel featured a thumb controlled slide to engage the click. And like the Style C, it too was marked 'Handmade'."

Ed Corwin noted in the Spring, 1995 Reel News, "Shakespeare introduced his second production reel, the "Handmade" "Quadruple" non-level wind reel in 1901...He dubbed it the "rubber Standard reel"...although they were not so marked. This reel was extremely short-lived, only one year, because during 1901 he completely retooled his factory...."

Richard, I agree--Tom made a helluva find in the antique store, and I imagine--and hope--he got it for next to nothing.

Mark, John Elder is the only person I know who could do a professional restoration on this one. I'd love to see that.

[Steve]

Some additional Shakespeare info from an older thread.