Question about Reel Marking

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RonG
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Question about Reel Marking

Post by RonG »

Has anyone seen or know of the markings (IBBC) on this Gayle reel?

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Eric J
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by Eric J »

International Brotherhood of Bait Casters?
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RonG
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by RonG »

It's probably the International Brotherhood of something. I know there's an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Maybe it's a union thing of some sorts.
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klonder
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by klonder »

A presentation reel dated with initals?
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RonG
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by RonG »

It could be initials.
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Paul M
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by Paul M »

I believe this mark is an acronym rather than a person's initials. It surely has something to do with a fly and bait casting tournament held at the 1908 Olympics in London, England. It was held as a "rehearsal" rather than one of the official Olympic games. I think there was a British casting championship held concurrently or somehow combined leading me to the conclusion that the letters I.B.B.C. stand for International British Bait Casting. The reference to the "demonstration" casting event is on page 6 of the Google Book about the 1908 Olympic Games but there is also at least one reference to fishing. Looks like a very interesting story about how this Olympics event was cobbled together to include non-traditional activities like bait casting and fishing. I would hope that an American won the Gale reel as a prize and perhaps Gayle reels were featured in the concomitant commercial exhibition.
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RonG
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by RonG »

Thanks Paul. That's very interesting.
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RonG
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by RonG »

I also found this Hardy ad in 1909 "The Angler's Diary and Tourist Fisherman's Gazetteer."

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Mike N
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by Mike N »

I love these types of reel mysteries. While I think the 1908 Olympics is an interesting angle (no pun intended), fishing was a demonstration sport in the 1900 Olympics only according to this source. In 1908 the main demonstration sport was cycle polo. https://www.topendsports.com/events/dem ... sports.htm

Albeit, Paul’s source may be more authoritative.

Despite fly casting events having been held internationally for over a century, it has never been featured as an Olympic event. Source, https://dailygazette.com/2012/06/14/614_FlyFishing/

Even “pistol dueling” with wax bullets was offered as an “unofficial” demonstration event in 1908.

https://www.topendsports.com/events/dem ... pistol.htm

A demonstration Olympic sporting event is typically an unofficial, non-medal event at an Olympics to promote a new sport and gauge public interest in possibly adding a new official event.
Last edited by Mike N on Wed May 10, 2023 11:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Mike N
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by Mike N »

Darn…the Irvington Beach & Boat Club (IBBC) was not founded until 1958.

https://irvingtonboatclub.com/4676-2/

And the Island Bay Bowling Club was not founded until 1918.

https://www.ibbc.co.nz/history
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RonG
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by RonG »

Also interesting is the letters B.C. are larger than the I.B. letters. Two different stamps?
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reelsmith.
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by reelsmith. »

.
Speaking of the 1908 Olympics, here is a medal from the games ..





Dean.
Wanted: Kosmic Items, Small Leather Fly Reel Cases, Early Fishing Related Bottles, Fly Reels and Pre-1900 Angling/Casting Medals.

http://www.tackletreasures.com/
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RonG
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

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That's really cool Dean.
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Mike N
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Re: Question about Reel Marking

Post by Mike N »

Wow, a fantastic casting medal from London and another treasure from 1908.

Great photography, Dean.

Mike
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