Dates of the early Orvis catalogs

[Mike N]

[Along with Royce S., I started a thread on the Classic Fly Rod forum regarding dates and info on the earliest Orvis catalogs. These catalogs show the progression and variations and options in the Orvis patent 1874 fly reel. I thought it would be worth reposting that information here to make sure it’s preserved for future researchers. I just purchased another early Orvis catalog (not listed here, No. 17) and will post that info when it arrives next week.]


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ORVIS CATALOG
No.15.....circa 1885.....6"x 8".....56 pages
From Royce:
Catalog 15 - 1885 is an opinion, or is there better information. viewtopic.php?f=70&t=126241&p=860075#p860075

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No. 16
From Royce:
Catalog 16 is documented in Melner & Kessler* The associated "Favorite Flies"** poll dated 1889 is identified as loose with the catalog. M&K suggests this is pre 1892 because of the 1892 book, and because of a quotation published elsewhere in 1888.

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No.18.....circa pre-1892....6" x 8".....72 pages
From Royce
Catalog 18 is pre 1892 as the "Favorite Flies" is not advertised yet.

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No.21.....circa ?.......... 6" x 8"......108 pages

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No. 22.....circa 1900......6" x 8" ..... 86 pages

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No. 25.....circa 1908
Mentioned by CFO in a 1908 handwritten letter linked here:
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=126241&p=860075#p860075

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No. 26.....circa 1908..... 6" x 8" ..... 114 pages
From Royce:
Catalog 26 1908
Langs dated this at 1908, in Melner & Kessler* a Kelso Auto reel pat 1907, photographic ads are included. Light weight rod and $10 x rods (second quality). A 1910 F&S has frog leader advertisement which says No 26 Catalog now ready
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no # ......late 1890s..... 4-1/2" x 7" ..... 22 pages.... white cover with black ink.
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Footnotes
* Great Fishing Tackle Catalogs of the Golden Age (Melner & Kessler: 1972)
** Favorite Flies and Their Histories, by Mary Orvis Marbury published in Boston in April 1892 by Houghton Mifflin.

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Here is a link to the CFRF thread which has color photos of the catalog covers:

http://classicflyrodforum.com/forum/vie ... 0&t=130015

[Mike N]

Thanks to ORCA President Ron Gast, I was lucky enough to add Orvis catalog No. 25 to my collection today. Though undated, we know it is from 1908 inasmuch as C.F. Orvis, in the handwritten letter below dated Jan. 6, 1908, indicated he was sending Catalog No. 25 under separate cover to a customer.