Spitalfields

A day of sunshine and rain at Spitalfields yesterday as a brisk westerly blew threw the market bringing with it bounty from an auction on the outskirts of Pandemonium, an Allcocks Counter Display Fly Box from the year of Arcadia 1938.

E. Gerrard & Sons

Once upon a time in Arcadia, and especially on a Thursday, if you were a lady or a gentleman who had caught a 'whopper' you may well have put it in the back of a cab or on an overnight express train with instructions for it to be sent to E. Gerrard & Sons who plied their trade as taxidermists and naturalists at 61 College Place  in the district of London NW1.  Their work in setting up specimens was so famous that it 'was to be found in most museums'.  

Gerrards are sadly no more having closed their doors a few decades ago but every Thursday I run my stall at Spitalfields Antiques Market in their memory and in that of others, where you may find the occasional piece of taxidermy and other items of Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul that will absolutely not be found in most museums as I will sell them to you first for pound notes ironed by your butler or domestic help.  Thank-you.

The Moon Under Water

When not searching for Vintage Fishing Tackle for the Soul I have been known to get lost looking for The Moon Under Water, which as those of you who read the Evening Standard newspaper in the year 1946 will be aware was George Orwell's vision of the perfect public house.  All those with a thirst are invited to join me in looking for The Moon Under Water next Tuesday evening at The Caught by the River Social Club in the company of Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou, Will Burns, Charles Rangeley-Wilson and Robin Turner who will be reading aloud from his acclaimed book 'Looking for the Moon Under Water - The Search for the Perfect Pub'.  The publication of this book sparked a debate that has raged throughout many a public house afternoon and beyond.  You can read some people's ideal of their perfect pub here in a piece that was printed to herald Mr. Turner's book in The Guardian newspaper late in the year 2011.

Frensham Then and Now

Chanced upon in the rare books section of a Highgate Charity Bookshop a 2nd edition copy of 'Frensham - Then and Now' (1948) by Mr. Harry J. Baker in collaboration with Mr. H.C. Minchin.   A book that I had only previously seen in the County Archives in Woking and which contains Lehman's 1932 Map Plan and Section of Frensham Great Pond including the footprint of the legendary 'Ancient Pond'.

5/8ths of an Ounce

Found in the pocket of my British Warm, a pair of Tournament Casting Plugs, formerly the property of a Casting Champion and previously thought lost.

Harcork Reprise

Found at Spitalfields on Thursday a pair of Harcork Floats waiting to go under in the not so distant future.

Specialists in Celluloid

Found at Spitalfields on Thursday amongst a tin of old lures bought from a fellow dealer, another fine example of the work of Mr. Percy Wadham and his Dreadnought Casting Reel Company in the form of a bewhiskered and leather-tailed Nature Bait made of Celluloid.  The Dreadnought Casting Reel Company were 'Specialists in Celluloid' and won over 21 Medals for their work in the period known as the early 20th Century.