True Blue!

[eppy55]

Hello all and I hope everyone is enjoying the summer so far! I recently came into procession of a Shakespeare reel and for the life of me, it has me a little baffled. It is a baitcaster known as a True Blue, but all my research so far tells me it is pre 1931, and therein lies the problem as I cannot find when This particular model, the True Blue, started. Now...let me explain what leads me to this point, on the side plate the markings on this reel are as follows,... True Blue
Level Winding
No. 1956
Then below the handle is...Made in U.S.A.
There is no model letters to signify as to when this reel was manufactured. From my understanding of Shakespeares dating codes, they did not start until 1931 and all baitcaster or level winders had these letter codes. On the other side plate or back plate, there are no markings and no markings on the foot as well. My question I suppose, is two fold, 1) when did Shakespeare begin manufacturing the True Blue reel and 2) where can I find an in depth history of Shakespeare fishing reels? and 3) (okay so now its threefold) what if anything could any member here on O.R.C.A. tell me about this or these True Blue reels. Oh, and one more observation,...it really has blue knobs on the handle,.... how cool is that!
Your friend Trevor Calhoun.

[scottorock]

I show the True Blue first appearing in the 1930 Shakespeare catalog. So i would guess that they started being manufactured in 1929. I dont believe a book exists devoted soley to the history of the Shakespeare fishing reels. There has been some talk on here before about taking on such a tremendous task! The True Blue reels were low priced, budget minded LW reels. Ill post up a few catalog grabs.
Hope this helps!
Scott

[scottorock]

From 1930 catalog.

[eppy55]

Thanks Scottorock for providing the information you did because it is more than I had to go on. I am thinking that this reel is more than likely, the 1930 model as there are no model letters etched into this reel.
Thanks again. Your friend, Trevor Calhoun