J.B. Crook & Co.

[Don Champion]

Hey guys, I didn't know Montague made reels for J.B. Crook & Co. I knew they made reels for a great many other companys, but thought Crook made their own. Check out ebay 7226663217. Was J.B. Crook a company similar to Pennell? Dr. Todd, any comments would be appreciated.

[Steve]

It's doubtful that Crook & Co. made many, if any, of the reels it sold towards the end of the 19th century and into the 20th.

[Teal]

Hi Don,

Before Phil jumps in let me state that Pennell was not a company but a Tryon tradename, as he consistently (and accurately) reminds us.

J.B. Crook was in business until 1921 and the last 30 years or more of company history all of their reels (as far as I can tell) were farmed out. While Montague Crook reels are rare they are not unique; marked Montague Conroy reels also are known to exist.

So it was with many of the early luminaries lucky enough to survive the 1890s. They generally limped into the new century as trade houses, having left the manufacturing side long behind.

Cheers,

Dr. Todd

[Phantom Fisher]

I have never seen anything marked J.B. Crook & Co. that actually appears to have been made by Crook.

Here are a few real Crooks. This collection is my passion; please let me know if you have any you'd be willing to sell or trade.





And a Crook & Co. (Montague) imposter: