Poking around in AJ's archives
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Poking around in AJ's archives
#1Doing some fall cleaning up and while going through some of the AJ paper I ran into this one. I intentionally left out the dealer's name (in NH) because this was from 1996. As time allows I'll scan a few others. He was doing the wrapping and varnishing for Leonard at the time and there are some records from that. But this one is a killer for the collector of Maine-related tackle.....
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Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#2Wow-nice rods
I’ll take the 8ft Wheeler!
I’ll take the 8ft Wheeler!
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Re: Poking around in AJ's archives - Leonard
#3In 1996, someone ordered his&hers Hunt pattern 7 footers for Jimmy Carter and his wife. This is the production sheet for Jimmy's. I think AJ received these with grip and seat already installed. Unfortunately there was never a photo record for the completed rod.
Last edited by jeffkn1 on 09/22/22 13:50, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#6Thanks for sharing Jeff! The 1996 prices are like taking a trip back in time.
Previously known as bamboocollector11
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#7Interesting and helpful! So, later model Hunts used a garnet/maroon silk with lacquer. I'm pretty sure the Maxwell ones used a rose colored thread with straight varnish -- maybe the effect is similar.
--Rich
--Rich
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#8Hi Guys, Well, now here's an expert 'how to' instruction booklet.
Jay Edwards
Jay Edwards
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#10Just wonderful, Jeff.
Many thanks,
Charlie
Many thanks,
Charlie
"History has a beloved cousin who has the family eyes and nose
but is a rather different creature - myth." Ken Cameron,
The American Fly Fisher, v. 28, n. 1, Winter, 2002, (AMFF, Manchester, Vt., 2002).
but is a rather different creature - myth." Ken Cameron,
The American Fly Fisher, v. 28, n. 1, Winter, 2002, (AMFF, Manchester, Vt., 2002).
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#11Absolutely fascinating!
Thanks much for sharing, and please keep'em coming,
Kenneth
Thanks much for sharing, and please keep'em coming,
Kenneth
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Re: Poking around in AJ's archives Many Thanks Jeff !
#12Thanks very much Jeff, We still miss AJ. I love the notes on finishing the new Leonard rods. I have a 6ft 2pc Catskill and it is outstanding in fit and finish.
I look forward to more of the info you have shared. Is there any news of his research on early FE Thomas rods being published ? I thought that maybe he had a manuscript that was in possession of the family but do not remember the details. Thanks Again & Best, Paul
I look forward to more of the info you have shared. Is there any news of his research on early FE Thomas rods being published ? I thought that maybe he had a manuscript that was in possession of the family but do not remember the details. Thanks Again & Best, Paul
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives - book
#13Paul
There is an unfinished manuscript, perhaps 75% completed. Problem is that some of his theories were disputable and no one I know can complete it, so it remains in limbo. The family has it on a flash drive. He had gotten through the chapters on Thomas and Edwards, but had yet to finish up Payne. Access to Ed Payne samples was a problem so that chapter was dragging. With good photographs and access to just about everyone's rods and ephemera it was going to be a better looking finished product than his big book.
I had loaned him my Spalding Kosmics but he died before getting them photographed. The summer he died I brought them to Tim but he was having some difficulty handling the hot sunny weather. His preference was to shoot in slight overcast and he took my rods home to wait for the right conditions. I did recover them after his passing.
Jeff
There is an unfinished manuscript, perhaps 75% completed. Problem is that some of his theories were disputable and no one I know can complete it, so it remains in limbo. The family has it on a flash drive. He had gotten through the chapters on Thomas and Edwards, but had yet to finish up Payne. Access to Ed Payne samples was a problem so that chapter was dragging. With good photographs and access to just about everyone's rods and ephemera it was going to be a better looking finished product than his big book.
I had loaned him my Spalding Kosmics but he died before getting them photographed. The summer he died I brought them to Tim but he was having some difficulty handling the hot sunny weather. His preference was to shoot in slight overcast and he took my rods home to wait for the right conditions. I did recover them after his passing.
Jeff
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Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#14Jeff,
Thanks for sharing this, and I look forward to future installments. As I've said before, I have great admiration for AJ's research and documentation.
It would be incredible if we could see some of his thread work on the Leonard's, to parallel the wrap maps.
Thanks for sharing this, and I look forward to future installments. As I've said before, I have great admiration for AJ's research and documentation.
It would be incredible if we could see some of his thread work on the Leonard's, to parallel the wrap maps.
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives - Leonard
#15There was a person I always hoped I would run into on a trout stream.
I want to be buried with my favorite rod.
I hear the Styx River has Fish.
I hear the Styx River has Fish.
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives - friend Cecil Pierce
#16Cecil apparently had friends all over, if his bio is any indication. If I recall correctly, Cecil used to visit AJ's shop in Boothbay.
Writing on the back of this photo indicates that Cecil was making a binder. I don't know the exact year but Cecil's estate was auctioned off in July of 1996.
He made trout and salmon rods, that I know. This is one of his 2pc trout rods. I don't know if this example includes graphite or not. All the hardware was of his own manufacture.
In the folder were a few letters, this being an exchange between Marty Keane and Cecil regarding a salmon rod of Cecil's.
And after Cecil's death, AJ received this letter from Arthur Taylor. The photos that Taylor mentions may be the two I posted above.
He made trout and salmon rods, that I know. This is one of his 2pc trout rods. I don't know if this example includes graphite or not. All the hardware was of his own manufacture.
In the folder were a few letters, this being an exchange between Marty Keane and Cecil regarding a salmon rod of Cecil's.
And after Cecil's death, AJ received this letter from Arthur Taylor. The photos that Taylor mentions may be the two I posted above.
Last edited by jeffkn1 on 09/24/22 16:38, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#17Jeff,
Is what is written on the opening lines of page 2 a well-known, or previously known fact?
Charlie
Is what is written on the opening lines of page 2 a well-known, or previously known fact?
Charlie
"History has a beloved cousin who has the family eyes and nose
but is a rather different creature - myth." Ken Cameron,
The American Fly Fisher, v. 28, n. 1, Winter, 2002, (AMFF, Manchester, Vt., 2002).
but is a rather different creature - myth." Ken Cameron,
The American Fly Fisher, v. 28, n. 1, Winter, 2002, (AMFF, Manchester, Vt., 2002).
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#18Regarding an ad in the WSJ, or the SoCal maker? I don't recall if AJ had said anything about the WSJ to me or not. Only way we'll find out now is if someone else chimes in. I have no knowledge of a California maker trying Cecil's process, however there was a San Diego maker, Steve Small, who once sold rods through the shop in Rangeley. He might have known Cecil if he resided in Maine at some point. His better work suggested a reasonable skill level.
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#19so-cal maker.
"History has a beloved cousin who has the family eyes and nose
but is a rather different creature - myth." Ken Cameron,
The American Fly Fisher, v. 28, n. 1, Winter, 2002, (AMFF, Manchester, Vt., 2002).
but is a rather different creature - myth." Ken Cameron,
The American Fly Fisher, v. 28, n. 1, Winter, 2002, (AMFF, Manchester, Vt., 2002).
Re: Poking around in AJ's archives
#20Great posts, thanks.
Seeing Marty Keane’s name brought back vivid memories of how exciting it was to get his newest catalog in the mail. Everything else could wait…
Mike N
Seeing Marty Keane’s name brought back vivid memories of how exciting it was to get his newest catalog in the mail. Everything else could wait…
Mike N