Question about Wm. H. Talbot Reels

[Warren Platt]

My question: Why is there little to no discussion about Talbot reels on this forum? When I begin watching the "Reel Talk Forum" approx. two years ago I said to myself, "Hot dog, I'll be able to watch knowledgable collectors talking about Talbot reels." That's sure not the case. Are they that rare or so expensive that no one really cares much about them. I visit with Randy Anderson who I'm sure has the best collection in the world, and Frank Perkins who has the best paperwork collection. But that's about it. As you all know a great deal of the enjoyment of collecting is sharing all the different aspects of what we collect with others, giving and getting thoughts and theories. I know if I ask a specific question, someone on here would answer it, but am I the only one that has a desire to discuss Talbot reels? I would appreciate your ideas and thoughts. Thanks
Warren Platt

[reels4me,member]

Warren--I think cost does play it`s part. Personnaly think they were the
best reel made, sorry Meekers, Milamers, Bill Muth, etc., etc., 3 years ago I went out on the limb and bought a Talbot Ben Hur 100 size, but I
began to have tinges of 'guilty pleasures' because of what I paid for it
then came along an offer to buy it at more than I paid, grabbed the opportunity and have since added over 5 other makers of reels, and financially still ahead, perhaps others have same feelings ?
,
,

[Ron Mc]

I put myself into a different school by choice and because of economics.

I started collecting handemade UK fly reels, initially because of fishing vintage cane fly rods, and also because I can't afford the handmade American reels - and ebay makes it so easy. There were many more quality fly reels made by craftsmen in the UK when mass production was stamping out cheap fly reels over here. I also fly-cast left-handed, so I love fishing the RHW click-pawl reels. Even prewar Pflueger medalists are getting out of reach.

Aside from that, I would love to see photos and discussions of Talbot reels posted on this board.
Photography in The Reel News is going to be of limited quality B&W by economic nesessity. Here's the place to show them off...

[mortepa]

I have only owned a few Talbots so far, KC models, and each one was very hard to let go of. If it hadn't been for the right Pflueger reel at the time, I would likely still have them. It seems that the lower end Talbots are about the same price range as some of the nice Horton-Meek Kentuckys, and often attract the same types of collectors. Talbots don't have any low-end reels, as far as I have seen...like most company's did. So the people that get into them are probably not inexperienced most of the time.

I guess what I am saying here is that there is a smaller circle of collectors for Talbot when you compare to the number of collectors for Pflueger or Shakespeare, for example. Saying that, I also think that Talbot collectors are usually a lot more serious about their collections too.

The Talbot name will always be assiciated with quality and precision as well as being pricey. If I were looking for "investment quality reels" for my collection, Talbots are right up there in that top tier as the best reels around! I mean, how many reels do you know of that use Sapphire jeweled endcaps? Ok, Pflueger does, but besides that. haha I for one would love to see more info on Talbot reels.

Like ron says, we love pictures! Post 'em here for us! Especially a close-up of that sapphire jeweled end cap if you have one.

Paul

[john elder]

Warren: We all here at the orca liars bench still have so much to learn about the Barbie and Sponge Bob reels that we just haven't worked our way up to the Talbots

[Richard Lodge]

Warren: Like many ORCA members, I admired your fantastic Talbot display at the Texas convention. You have some fantastic reels, Talbot paper items and some cool Talbot "go-withs" that seemed to be quite rare. Talbots are out of my league (as long as they're competing with college tuition bills, among other things). I think you're in a good position to share a lot of Talbot info with all of us (maybe a Reel News article and some great photos?)

[Bill Muth]

It seems like the hard core Talbot collector group is smaller (for whatever reason) than most of the other major makers (other than you, Randy A., and Frank, the only other die-hard Talbot collector I know is Randy Garglietti). The knowledge about that company may be limited to a very few. For me, it's one of those companies that I own a couple examples of but truly don't know anything about. I think a lot of people who have a Talbot or two in their collection may be in the same boat. (This is where the Reel Geezer should cite an extensive Reel News article that I have forgotten about).

Also, thanks Jack for the gratuitous reference among "Meekers" and "Milamers" Feel free to interchange my name with "Hortoner" or "Bristoler," either is acceptable.

[Jim Schottenham]

Warren, I'd enjoy seeing Talbot reels on this forum, and from what I saw in Texas, you have quite alot of Talbots to be proud of! Sure there have been a few articles written (Bill, I'll cover for the Reel Geezer for the moment), in Spring '95, Spring 2000 (Dan Basore wrote a great article on Talbot Tournament reels) and May 2002 (Steve Kelly and the Talbot #54 belonging to Harry Stutz). But, I'd like to see some here too!
Show off a few items, and as John pointed out, the ORCA liars bench will chime in, I'm sure! I'd love to learn about what's out there, who knows, one of us might turn up a screamer that we might have otherwise placed in our cases, thinking it was just a great #41, or Comet, that should be in your collection!
Jim S

[Brian F.]

Warren, I was going to say (the lunch bell rang and I had to run) that you are probably the one on this board who may know most about these reels! As for me, I know the name and only enough to recognize they are nice Kentucky reels. But, "if you don't know what to ask, you can't ask". I'd certainly like to learn more about them. Maybe that means you gotta get your two collector associates on the board too!

[Len Sawisch]

... riddle me this - is it possible that sometime circa 1912-1913 SouthBend flirted with Talbot to take over production of the 1131?

I have an 1131 I got from a Mr. Bill Sonnet (who claims some passing awareness of your existance) that was made for SB by someplace other than Shakespeare. Only two of these type reels are known to exist and there has been some speculation of a Talbot link.

Do you want to pop up to Lansing to take a look or should I first tempt you with pictures?

Len

[Harvey]

PICTURES!
PLEASE!
"H"

[Teal]

Warren,

I guess when you shake the tree a whole bunch of nuts fall out. I am currently touching on Talbot history in a couple of ways, the next article in the Reel News (not the Sept. article but one I am submitting for November) has Talbot information in it, and I am currently querying Frank Perkins about the connection between Talbot and the George Worthington Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. Drop me a PM as I would like to ask you the same questions I asked Frank.

Cheers,

Dr. Todd E.A. Larson

[Len Sawisch]

... OK Reel Detectives (Warren)! Is the South Bend reel stamped SN 6571 made by Talbot? We know there were very few of this mystery style made (only two known to be in collections - both missing handles). We know the other examples were made by Shakespeare!

I have one picture here, but if you go to the picture link, you can see all seven.



http://orcaonline.org/images/pixel.gif?len&SBTalbot

One more nut on the pile!
Dr. L.P. Sawisch

[Warren Platt]

Len,
I have disassembled two Talbot reels ( Star & Comet) and after a brief comparison of parts I don't see anything (other than the pointed screws) that I'd say appear to have been made by the same company. One question would be, "Who else made pointed screws for their reels?"
I will be very surprised if and when I find that Talbot even made reel parts for another company. Mr. Talbot made a very uncomplicated reel. I believe this was by design and necessity to enable the construction of a reel that was solid in construction, but smooth in operation. I have been told that Mr. Talbot designed his own machinery and had it made by a company that made tools for the making of watches. I just don't see the possibility of a complete change that would have been necessary to re-tool for completely different parts. Just my opinion.
Warren

[cws/carl schultz]

talbot also made reels for vla

[Warren Platt]

Sorry that I didn't make it clear when I said that I'd be surprised if Talbot made reels of parts for other companies, I was talking about other reel companies. Talbot did made reels for retail sporting goods stores and put their logo on the reels, and in some cases a model name was changed for a store. One example is the "Tomahawk" for the Vim Hardware Store, it's the same as a Star model. Logo markings were placed on reels for VL&A, Vim, Schmelzer, Simmons, and Abercrombie & Fitch. but I'm only aware of one model (the VL&A "Perfection") that doesn't also have Talbot's markings.
Warren

[Warren Platt]

Doesn't anyone else have an opinion about the maker of Len's South Bend reel? Or any unusual Talbot reel to talk about?
Warren

[Brian F.]

Ok, here's one Warren. What about this reel Steve pointed out under another thread:

http://reeltalk.orcaonline.org ... =9363#9363

[Warren Platt]

Brian,
Talbot had nothing to do with the making of this reel. Sellers always want to throw the Talbot name into the mix anytime they can in hopes that it'll make for higher bids.
Warren

[Bruce Davis]

Warren
An other option besides the net. (PHONE)
I was fishing today with Al Munger Fortesque NJ he had a #54 on the table and I told him one of the guys was posting questions about talbots and he pulled out 12 more other models, now he don't have a computer and says he never will but likes to talk on phone about reels.
Bruce Davis ORCA PHILA PA

[Warren Platt]

Bruce,
Thanks for the information, I'm sure Al has great Talbot knowledge along with about all the other makes of reels. I have a problem though, along with not having a computer Al must not have a phone either as no phone number is listed in the ORCA 2005 membership roster. Give me a little more help here Bruce, it would be greatly appreciated.
Warren

[john elder]

Warren: he is in nflcc as well and lists xxxxxxxxxxx as his #. post when you get this and I'll edit it off...he probably already has all the life insurance he needs!

[Warren Platt]

Got it John, thanks.
Warren