Seeking info on J. Perks of Redditch, England

[Richard Lodge]

I know a lot of you folks like big reels with lots of gears, springs, front plates, end plates and dinner plates. I'm fond of simple little British reels, and I was lucky enough to pick up one by a maker who was new to me. It's a single action brass reel stamped J. Perks Maker Redditch on top of the foot. A previous owner cleaned and polished it, unfortunately, and it's missing the grasp. I did some basic Google searches and found a similar reel in the 2012 Mullock's auction, which was described as made by Joseph Perks, who made reels (and rods, from what I also discovered) from 1869-1876. Peakman and Victoria streets, "Hook and Fishing Tackle Makers."
I'm also in correspondence with folks in Redditch who are quite knowledgeable about local history, manufacturing, etc., but so far they've come up empty on info about J. Perks. So I'm looking for suggestions, tips, more information about this obscure fellow. Thanks for your help!

Richard

[Stef Duma]

Hi there Richard, Joseph Perks was NOT a fishing tackle maker, it was his wife Elizabeth, he is listed as a commercial traveller in the 1861 census and his wife as a Fishing Tackle Maker. In the 1871 census she is listed as head of the household with no mention of Joseph.

Sticking my neck out I would say that this reel was bought in from another maker, J Perks would have made rods floats etc. She is still listed in the 1881 census as a Fishing Tackle Maker.

I will ask my Redditch specialist about the company when I see him in November.

Stef

[Richard Lodge]

Thank you, Stefan. Very much appreciated. I keep telling my wife we need to make a trip to Redditch and Birmingham (where James Haywood was located) so I can research these folks in person.

[Mike N]

Richard- a little British auction information (that you mentioned) about that neat reel (it appears to me that the holes in the foot are possibly original from the maker given the perfect placement in the center of the maker’s mark) One of the auction items has the same holes.:

[Richard Lodge]

Thanks, Mike. I had found that auction listing earlier, which told me more than I knew about the reel out of the gate. I don't think the holes are factory drilled. I have a number of old brass English reels where folks have drilled holes. These just look "home-drilled" to me. And I don't think it's likely a maker would deface part of his/her stamping to do that. They'd probably make the holes and stamp on some other part of the foot or reel. Just my 2 cents, but thanks for weighing in. Still hoping to learn more about this one, especially with Stefan's information that Elizabeth Perks might have been the tackle dealer, not her "travellin' man" Joseph.

[Mike N]

Here is an auction link to a “J.Perks” 4-piece fishing rod, “Patent No. 644.”

http://www.bigwoodauctioneers.com/photo/show/650/693-1/