Electronica

Across Arcadia in anticipation of tomorrow there has been an impromptu Outbreak of Electronica, typified by this example of a late Sunridge Bite Alarm bought from a kind gentleman who visited my stall with a carrier bag and a tale of a gravel pit.

Showing Here, Sir!

Today you will find me at Angling Auctions for my bi-annual duty of showing lots in the environs of Chiswick Town Hall.  I shall be wearing an apron and using the words, 'Showing Here, Sir!'  If you are attending the auction I look forward to greeting you with a smile.

The Efgeeco Bait Distributor

Found recently within the bounds of Littershire a piece of packaging from the decade known as the 1960's which had not been discarded, a box for The Efgeeco Bait Distributor containing an Efgeeco Bait Distributor in finest celluloid.  This item of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul is currently for sale  on the shelf of my website known as Old Friends.

Bridge Stores Staithe Cafe St Olaves

Once upon a time in Arcadia when tea was tea and even on Thursdays because they were 'Open Every Day', Bridge Stores Staithe Cafe St. Olaves in the region of Arcadia known as Anglia served 'Provisions, Fishing Tackle, Morning Coffee and Afternoon Tea' to ladies and gentlemen who were passing by in boats.

Today in Arcadia many ladies and gentlemen will be passing by in boats due to the recent fall of rain and never more so than along Commercial Street in London and by my stall at Spitalfields Antiques Market where on Thursdays only I supply Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul but am also more frequently tempted to start up an additional tea trolley service for stallholders as the strength of tea within the bounds of the market is so pitifully weak.  Oh, for a cafe on wheels with a big urn or enamelled tea pot filled with four score of catering tea bags and a young lady togged up in forties gear doing the honours.  Across Arcadia cats and dogs are praying to St. Olave for such.

White Teeth meet Whisky Uptown

This evening in an upstairs room of 33 Portland Place in the district of London known as W1 I will be exhibiting a pair of mahseer teeth and an edition of 'The Rod in India' as part of the opening of The Singleton Taste Room, a collection of objects curated by a number of gentlemen at large.

The teeth are box framed in oak and accompanied by an original photograph of the catch and the legend,  'This mighty mahseer was taken from the Cubbany River, South India (for which it is a record) on November 6th 1926.  It was landed in about 35 minutes using a Hardy 16ft split cane steel-centre 'Hi-Regan' rod, cuttyhunk line of 40lbs breaking strain and an Allcocks 'Special' single hook.  Weight 105lbs, Length 5ft 4ins, Girth 3ft 2ins.'

I bought the teeth and accompanying photograph and legend some years ago beyond the Outskirts of Pandemonium with the express view of framing them and having them hung on a wall at an address then unknown.  I am grateful to Singleton Whisky for giving me the opportunity to show them.  For all those with deep pockets and a love of enamel they are for sale by the usual device of field telephone.

Kempton

Up early with the owl and after two pots of tea drunk trawlerman style it is off in the van to Kempton, dressed appropriately for the eternal and relentless search for Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul.

Steadefast meets Efgeeco Uptown

In many districts the rain is bouncing off corrugated tin rooftops and splashing into cups of tea being drunk trawlerman style.   In Arcadia we always dress like this.

From a Kitchen in Arcadia

In kitchens across Arcadia it is Saturday and an accompaniment to Elgar is on the radio as tea is drunk trawlerman style and gin is downed victoriously to the sounds of Mr. Stephen Parker and his chum Michael who broadcast on occasion from Mr. Parker's kitchen in the port of Falmouth.  You may listen to their splendid programmes here.

Alfred & Son Makers

Found upon a table top within the bounds of Subtopia an engraved Alfred & Son brass plate wind reel bearing the address 20 Moorgate Street London.  It is believed that the company ceased trading here in the year of Arcadia 1903.

Brady Brothers Ltd, Great Cornbrow, Halesowen

Once upon a time in Arcadia and not just on Thursdays, ladies and gentlemen abroad on the streets and in need of a bag in which to stash treasure would look no further than Brady Brothers of Halesowen, makers of the finest bags in the known world.

Today in Arcadia ladies and gentlemen are still abroad on the streets, happy in the knowledge that Brady continue to make the finest bags in the known world in this, the year of Arcadia 2012.  Should you wish to treat yourself to one of their old patterns in a second-hand form please rest easy in the knowledge that I carry a regular supply of Brady bags on my stall at Spitalfields Antiques Market where I sell Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul on Thursdays only between the civilised hours of 08:00 and 15:30.  Thank-you.

Lightwood meets Brady Uptown

Brought back from an auction beyond the Outskirts of Pandemonium a pair of old game bags one by Lightwood of Banbury and the other by Brady of Halesowen.

Empress Day

Yesterday in Arcadia a Public Holiday was declared in honour of the Empress' birthday on Saturday last and it was spent most leisurely in the company of my fellow comrade Mr. Luke Jennings on an old Thames punt at Sunbury catching gudgeon, roach and perch.

Spitalfields

Found at Spitalfields on Thursday upon a stall belonging to a gentleman of distinction a pair of lozenge shaped brass bait tins labelled 'worms' and 'bait' and a market token to the value of 1/-.

Old Fashioned Futurists

An early morning in Arcadia found myself and the Empress uptown at the presentation of New Work to celebrate 25 years of Antoni and Alison being Antoni and Alison.  There was a marching band, truth and beauty not to mention necessary sparkle and gold leaf.  We also saw our delightful comrade Miss Debra Lestrade.  Then we came home by Underground Railway.

My Tackle Shop

Once upon a time in Arcadia and especially on the day of the week known as Thursday, ladies and gentlemen in search of something from 'their' tackle shop might find themselves north of the wall at McCall's of Dumfries where tackle was sold in envelopes eponomously stamped with ink.

Should you be a lady or gentleman in search of something from 'your' tackle shop might I suggest that you come further south to the district of London known as E1 where on Thursdays I sell Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul from my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market between the hours of 8am and 3pm.  Thank-you.