'The Largest Sporting Goods House in Brooklyn' c. 1912

Once upon a time in Arcadia, over a century ago in the year 1912, ladies and gentlemen abroad on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean in search of items only found in a 'Fishing Tackle Department' would head to Henry Michaelson's shop at 914 Broadway in the New York City district of Brooklyn.   At the time Michaelson's was the 'largest sporting goods house in Brooklyn' and sold everything from fishing rods to bicycles.  Today, in the year 2014, ladies and gentlemen abroad on the streets of New York City have other things to divert them such as the website of the New York Times newspaper on which recently broadcast was this short film by Rita Konig about Spitalfields Market where today and every Thursday between the hours of 8am and 3pm I sell what is known in many quarters as 'Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul'.  Should you be visiting the stall be you from New York or New Cross, Brooklyn Broadway or Crouch End Broadway I look forward to your good company.  

In The Shop Window

All those of you who peruse the oft neglected pages of my website might be cheered to know that there is a new object of delight 'In the Shop Window', a 1930's Allcock-Aerial, along with a few other items of rare obscurity also for sale at the mahogany counter known as 'Just in, Sir!'.

Available for Season 193.....

Bought recently from a private source, an un-issued 'Member's Ticket' for the Welsh club Strata Florida Angling Association 'Available for Season 193.....' and now available for immediate purchase in the hidden drawer of my website known as 'Just in, Sir!'

Achtung! Sporting Sale

Spitalfields

I shall be on the stall from 8am this morning until approximately 3pm this afternoon with a veritable Victoria and Albert of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul.  Should you be in the vicinity I look forward to your good company over a cup of splosh.

Six Counties, Two Auction Houses, Two Private Calls, a Mayfly Storm and Half a Gallon of Tea

Bought on Monday on a ten hour road trip which took in six counties, two auction houses, two private calls, a Mayfly storm and half a gallon of tea a collection of rods by Hardy Bros. and John Forrest of Thomas Street in London.  All of which I will have at the stall tomorrow for general perusal or impulsive purchase along with a cache of Japanned and Silmalloy fly boxes some of the former dating back to the Edwardian period.  

Eton Church Fund - A Sale

Found amongst a shoebox of old tins full of tackle bought at the weekend from a gentleman collector a handbill for 'A SALE' in aid of Eton Church Fund.  Items from the box, some possibly bought at the sale will appear here tomorrow morning.

The National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair - Sunday 9th November 2014

A heartfelt thank-you to our patient and hardworking hosts at Kingsley Sports Centre, to Mr & Mrs Samuel Guyatt and their wondrous Tea Van and to all those who travelled the spring highway to stall out and visit yesterday's National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair in Redditch.  Your presence, well into the hundreds, made the day a thoroughly enjoyable riot of old tackle, renewed friendships, sweet tea and black pudding sandwiches.  I trust that you all left with pockets empty or full depending upon which side of the cloth you were standing and that we will be seeing you all again not so very far away in November.  Godspeed until then and should you wish to enquire about renting a stall or want to request a handbill to post up on your local noticeboard please don't hesitate to call me on Field Telephone Number 07980 274 383.

The National Vintage Fishing Tackle Fair - This Sunday

Keeping Afloat

Bought yesterday as the early morning rain pounded on the great glass roof at Spitalfields, a tin of 'Surfacin' made by The Birmingham & Midland Fishing Tackle Supply Company.

A Paper Bag for the Soul

Once upon a time in Arcadia on Thursdays-Between-the-Wars, ladies and gentlemen looking for Fishing Tackle in the district of Birmingham 5 would proceed to 55/57 Worcester Street where having passed the time of day at the premises of Fred King and passed notes and coin over the counter their purchases would be presented to them in a paper bag finely emblazoned in blue ink with the Fred King legend.

Should you be a lady or a gentleman abroad on the streets of Birmingham 5 or indeed any other district in any other town with good links by railway to London you are advised that I practice the art of putting purchased items of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul into paper bags emblazoned in blue ink with their own legend at my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market on Commercial Street in the district of London known as E.1 where you are also welcome to pass the time of day between 8am and 3pm on Thursdays only.   Thank-you.

'Invented by Two Well-Known Salmon Anglers'

Found early on Monday morning in the grounds of Sennowe Park amongst a mountain of heirlooms an original Farlow's Wilson-Liddell Patent Salmon Tailer complete with Nickel silver clip and turned beech handle, dating from the period known as Between-the-Wars.   Patent No. 10488/09, the Farlow's Tackle Catalogue of 1938 said of it, 'Invented by two well-known salmon anglers, and severely tested for many seasons on rivers where the use of a gaff is prohibited at certain seasons, this tailer has been proved to be the best substitute for a gaff ever produced.  It is lighted, strong, easily carried, easily manipulated, and quite secure.....It does not mark and disfigure fish, especially grilse, like a gaff does.  It is so simple that it cannot get out of order, and will last for years.'   Having been tested on passers-by during the day on Monday I can confidently state that this example is still in working order and does not mark if used correctly.  It is for immediate sale and will be on the cloth at the stall tomorrow.

The Stately Home Car Boot Sale

Off to Anglia East with the van packed to the gunnels with large, awkward and rare objects of curiosity and wonder to stall out by kind invitation of The Norfolk Churches Trust at tomorrow's  Stately Home Car Boot Sale in the grounds of Sennowe Park outside Guist (Postcode NR20 5PB), also known as My Every Four Year Emptying and Sorting Out of the Lock-Up Garage.  Gates to the general punter open at 10:30hrs, and those interested in what delights I might have are asked to form an orderly queue behind the van.  Thank-you.

The Anglers' Social Club

Once upon a time in Arcadia, and most probably on a Thursday in the year known as 1936 ladies and gentlemen in search of 'The Most Comfortable Club in Town' would head to The Anglers' Social Club which was situated at 57 Norfolk Street in northern town of Sheffield.  There, for an entrance fee of 1/- or a Subscription of 1/3 per quarter they could imbibe in free Refreshments, obtain tickets for Underbank Fishing, enter the Billiard Tournament and both listen to and engage in 'Music and Singing'.  

Should you be a lady or a gentleman abroad on the streets of Sheffield or indeed of London East/Upwest on a Thursday in this the year of 2014 and in search of 'The Most Comfortable Club in Town' you are advised to head towards my stall in Spitalfields Antiques Market where on the aforesaid day of the week between 8am and 3pm I buy and sell 'Vintage Tackle for the Soul' from my stall of ten years standing.   If you are unfortunate you may witness 'Music and Singing', imbibe in over-priced refreshments (market tea) which may be offset against free entrance - CALL AND SEE IF YOU LIKE IT - and THIS evening after the market finishes you will also be able to hear myself and Chris Yates in conversation from 7pm at Rough Trade East in the old Truman Brewery at the launch of his new book 'The Lost Diary'.