Shadows and Reflections in the Year 2016

My Shadows and Reflections of the Year 2016 have been published today on Caught by the River.

From a Shop Window in Calcutta c. 1925

Once upon a time in Arcadia in the year 1925, a lady or a gentleman went into the premises of Manton & Co. (Gunmaker to H.E. the Viceroy) at 13, Old Court House Street, Calcutta.  There, they purchased a 3 1/2ins. Brass Crank Wind Mahseer Winch with a distinctive fish shaped handle finished in horn.  This was then sent to be nickel plated at the famous Manton's workshop.  The reel has survived and is today in the year of 2016 for sale In the Shop Window of my website. 

'Long, long ago' in 1970

Once upon a time in Arcadia, after Advent in fact, on 13th February 1970 BBC Radio 4 broadcast 'Gone Fishing', 'A compleat compendium of fact, folklore, fun and fancy on the gentle art of angling'.  So popular was the broadcast that an LP was produced that was based on the broadcast.  It included 'Sea Fishing - A Survey' by Clive Gammon, 'Poaching a Salmon' by Angus MacVicar, 'Dodging the Wife' by Roderick Wilson, 'Assessing the prospects on a stretch of river' by Fred J. Taylor as well as a 'Fishing Quiz' whose answers were printed on the sleeve.  Produced by Maurice Kanareck with sleeve design by Roy Curtis-Bramwell the LP has become a cult classic.  You may only find it for sale 'Under the Counter, Madam', a quiet corner of my website,  or in selected Charity Establishment Shops. 

Tootal Explosion! at The Social Christmas Market: Today from Midday

Up Country meets Down Town in the 1960's

A chipped Coronation Mug of Dry Fly Sherry is raised to Rosie Macdonald, Country Queries Editor of  The Field who on occasion asks me to contribute to her Country Queries page which appears in the magazine whose new edition (January 2017) is out today.  To mark this happy collaboration I have for sale the chance to take a batch of the The Field Christmas Number for the years 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965 and 1967.  They may be found lurking in the old cardboard box that serves as my website.

Urbane Angling: Tootal Explosion Uptown at The Social Christmas Market this Saturday

This Saturday 17th December at The Social Christmas Market which takes place between the hours of 12pm and 5.30pm in the ground floor snuggery of The Social on Little Portland Street in the Westerly End of London, myself and the Empress of Arcadia will be holding an impromptu selling exhibition of original Tootal cravats, ties and scarves all dating from the Post-War period entitled 'Urbane Angling'.  Anglers and artists alike may recognise the gentleman below who is Denys Watkins-Pitchford, F.R.S.A., A.R.C.A.,  more widely known as 'BB', illustrator, angler, teacher and author of amongst others the seminal 'Confessions of a Carp Fisher' (Eyre & Spottiswode 1950).  (photograph: Len Arbery Archive).  It may have been said before but 'We Always Dress Like This'

 

Advent-in-the-year-1900

Once upon a time in the year 1900 or shortly thereafter a small brass reel was hand-engraved and despatched from the Army & Navy Co-operative Society's new premises on Victoria Street in the district of London known as Westminster.  It arrived with its new owner and was lovingly kept until I purchased it at great expense recently.  This afternoon as the mist clears from the Heath and the fire is lit in the grate of The Southampton Public House it is for immediate sale in the portal known as my website to any passing lady and gentlemen with a whim to do their Christmas shopping in the doorway to the last century. 

Agate-in-Advent c. 1957

Advent-in-Arcadia continues in the year 1957 with a Hardy 'Perfect' 3 5/8ins Fly Reel with Agate Line Guide which is for immediate sale at the factory shop known as 'Just in, Sir!' on my website.