Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

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Mike N
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Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Mike N »

I was watching Pawn Stars and a neat toy patent model was brought into the pawn shop. I realize the first American reel dates to about 1820. From 1790 to 1880, the US Patent Office required inventors to submit both a written specification and a three-dimensional physical model with their patent applications. The model could be a miniature representation of a large invention or a full-scale example of the patented item. (e.g., a fishing reel or firearm).

Are there any deaccessioned fishing reel patent models from that period that are in private collections with a museum tag?

Thanks

Mike N
Last edited by Mike N on Sat May 21, 2022 10:30 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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kyreels
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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing-related items?

Post by kyreels »

There have been quite a few in museums and private collections. Here is a reference:

https://technical.ly/startups/coup-dela ... nt-models/
In 1907, the folks at the U.S. Patent Model Office threw up their hands and yelled, “Enough!”
Or something like that.
For 34 years prior, inventors had been required to submit a miniature prototype of their invention as part of their patent applications. But Americans had been so prolific in their ideas and applications that the patent office simply ran out of room.
Fast forward to today: The Smithsonian owns about 6,000 of those models, which is the biggest collection in the country. And now, the Hagley Museum announced Friday, it has become second only to the Smithsonian, having just added 4,101 models to its collection for a grand total of 4,971.
It’s all because Alan and Ann Rothschild, a couple from Cazenovia, N.Y., have given Hagley what had been the largest private collection of patent models.
You can search the Smithsonian collection as well as the Hagley. The Hagley search for fishing is https://museumcollection.hagley.org/obj ... ry=fishing

I own a patent model, but it is one registered with the owner per procedures at the time in 1930. It was never sent to the patent office.

Jim Frazier once told me he viewed some of the Al Foss patent models, but they were his non-fishing models. I have never seen a patent model for a fishing reel.
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Mike N
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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing-related items?

Post by Mike N »

Thanks, Matt. very interesting.

Here is a link to a Charles W. MacCord fishing reel patent model from 1874:

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collecti ... mah_742774

By the way, I reported this misspelling of Vom Hofe to the museum:

https://americanhistory.si.edu/collecti ... ah_1065789
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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Steve »

In almost 50 years of collecting, Matt's is the only reel patent model in private hands that I've ever heard of. The Smithsonian has a few. The Hagley has a few fishing-related models, but no reels. See "Piscatorial Patent Models at the Hagley Museum and Library," Fishing Collectibles Magazine, Vol. 7, No. 3, Winter, 1996, pp.11-12.

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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by RonG »

Here's some photos of a Anson Hatch reel patent model that's in the hands of one of our well known collectors. It's in the November, 1999 Langs catalog.


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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Steve »

Anson Hatch reel patent model
Forgot about that one, by gum. And once had it in my hand.

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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Teal »

What an amazing thread. Holy Grail reels for sure.

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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Mike N »

RonG wrote: Sun May 22, 2022 9:01 am Here's some photos of a Anson Hatch reel patent model that's in the hands of one of our well known collectors. It's in the November, 1999 Langs catalog.


I just received an email from the owner of the Hatch reel who paid $7000 at auction nearly 25 years ago. Here’s what he wrote:

The patent model is slightly larger than the commercial version of the reel. I don’t have the exact dimensions at hand. ***

My understanding is that the Patent Office transferred many patent models to the Smithsonian years ago and had a sale of other patent models. I never contacted the Patent Office for the details about all this but it’s now on my to do list.
.”
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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Steve »

Size isn't the only difference.


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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Dr. Rob »

Great article, Mr. Vernon. Well done!

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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Jim Schottenham »

That is a reel I've coveted since I started trying to put the Hoagy Carmichael collection back together. I know the current owner appreciates it as much as I do, so it's in a good place!
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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Steve »

Thank you, Dr. Rob.

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Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
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Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Mike N »

Steve wrote: Sun May 22, 2022 3:35 pm Size isn't the only difference.

I’m too old to guess or read the fine print, Steve. What is/are the other differences? Thanks.

Mike
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Re: Actual patent office models of fishing reels?

Post by Steve »

Steve wrote: Sun May 22, 2022 3:35 pm Size isn't the only difference.

Look at the photos, Mike, and use a magnifying glass if necessary. You needn't struggle over reading the ad, which was posted just for everyone's info, now that it's in the public domain.

Steve Vernon
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Book: ANTIQUE FISHING REELS, 2nd Ed.
Websites:
Antique Fishing Reels
Kopf reels
Hendrick reels

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."
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