Category Archives: Collectible Fishing Empherma (Books, Catalogs, Photos, Etc)

Little Wonder Brand Gladding Line Spool

Little Wonder Brand Gladding Line Spool

Little Wonder Brand Gladding Line Spool Classic Little Wonder Brand Gladding Fishing Line Spool. Visit the Newest Section of our Website the Fishing Line Section  Fishing Line  We Have some great line spools available by clicking the link below. Vintage Line Spool Little Wonder Brand Gladding Line Spool Gallery

Blue Ribbon Gladding Line Spool

Blue Ribbon Gladding Line Spool

Blue Ribbon Gladding Line Spool The history of the Blue Ribbon Gladding Line Spool. In their 1912 catalog the B. F. Gladding Line Company (est. 1816) of South Otselic New York featured this BLUE RIBBON brand braided silk casting line for the discerning and knowledgeable fisherman as their slogan noted, “For The Man Who Knows”. […]

Black Giant John Pritzlaff Line Spool

Black Giant John Pritzlaff Line Spool

Black Giant John Pritzlaff Line Spool The Black Giant John Pritzlaff Line Spool is a wonderful piece of history. The John Pritzlaff Hardware Company (est. 1850) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin sold Japan silk fishing lines, manufactured for them by the Cortland Line Company (est. 1915) of Cortland, New York. This particular label with the “JPHCO” trademark […]

Gibraltar Fishing Line Spool

Gibraltar Fishing Line Spool

Gibraltar Fishing Line Spool The Gibraltar Fishing Line Spool is a classic piece of fishing tackle ephemera. The firm of G H Mansfield & Co. of Canton Massachusetts had already been producing some of the best hard braided silk fishing lines for 10 years when America celebrated the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. This historic […]

King Pin Braided Silk Line Spool

King Pin Braided Silk Line Spool

King Pin Braided Silk Line Spool This King Pin Braided Silk Line Spool is a classic fishing collectible. This version of the KING-PIN highest quality braided silk casting line was introduced more than 100 years ago in 1916 by the B. F. Gladding Line Company (est. 1816) of South Otselic, New York boxed in an […]

Venetian Brand Gladding Japan Silk Fishing Line Spool

Venetian Brand Gladding Japan Silk Fishing Line Spool

Venetian Brand Gladding Japan Silk Fishing Line Spool This 1912 Venetian Brand Gladding Japan Silk Fishing Line Spool for lake or stream was manufactured by the B. F. Gladding Line Company (est. 1816) of South Otselic, New York. The label features the ‘new” Gladding trade mark introduced in 1912 in the center and the VENETIAN […]

Black Beauty Brand Sears Roebuck Line Spool

Black Beauty Brand Sears Roebuck Line Spool

Black Beauty Brand Sears Roebuck Line Spool This Black Beauty Brand Sears Roebuck Line Spool is a true classic. In 1936 the Sears Roebuck Company (est 1886) of Chicago Illinois celebrated their 50 years in business with a “Golden Jubilee Sale” in their famous mail-order catalog that had made them America’s largest retail department store. […]

Donegal Brand Gladding Cuttyhunk Irish Linen Line Spool

Donegal Brand Gladding Cuttyhunk Irish Linen Line Spool

Donegal Brand Gladding Cuttyhunk Irish Linen Line Spool The Donegal Brand Gladding Cuttyhunk Irish Linen Line Spool made for bass fishing was introduced in 1912 by the B. F. Gladding Line Company (est 1816) of South Otselic, New York. Gladding continued to make this DONEGAL brand until World War II, however, this version of the […]

Lance Brand Gladding Best Silk Fishing Line Spool

Lance Brand Gladding Best Silk Fishing Line Spool

Lance Brand Gladding Best Silk Fishing Line Spool The Lance Brand Gladding Best Silk Fishing Line Spool history; 85 + years ago this B F Gladding LANCE brand hit the bull’s eye with customers when it was introduced in 1931 as it was offered as a moderately priced but quality Japan silk casting line that […]

Ripple Brand Gladding Line Spool

Ripple Brand Gladding Line Spool

Ripple Brand Gladding Line Spool This 1924  Ripple Brand Gladding Line Spool hard braided non-waterproof Japan silk casting line was manufactured by the B. F. Gladding Line Company (est.1816) of South Otselic, New York. This RIPPLE brand was braided of black and white silk threads that gave it a checked appearance, and the brand name […]

Vintage Airline Brand Newtons Wooden Fishing Line Spool

Vintage Airline Brand Newtons Wooden Fishing Line Spool

Vintage Airline Brand Newtons Wooden Fishing Line Spool This scarce 80 year old unused and like new full spool of the AIRLINE brand braided Nylon casting line, waterproofed by the patented Cravenette method, which was exclusive to its maker, the Newton Line Company (est.1909) of Homer, New York was introduced in 1939 and then produced […]

Boatmans Ashaway Cuttyhunk Twisted Linen Fishing Line Spool

Boatmans Ashaway Cuttyhunk Twisted Linen Fishing Line Spool

Boatmans Ashaway Cuttyhunk Twisted Linen Fishing Line Spool The History of Boatmans Ashaway Cuttyhunk Twisted Linen Fishing Line Spool; Ernest Hemingway owned a 38-foot fishing boat named Pilar. It was acquired in April 1934 from Wheeler Shipbuilding in Brooklyn, New York. It looked very much like the boat on this 1933 Boatmen’s Special Cuttyhunk by […]

HJ Frost Fishing Tackle Catalog 1928

HJ Frost Fishing Tackle Catalog This HJ Frost Fishing Tackle Catalog is a real gem. H.J Frost was a New York fishing tackle jobber or wholesaler as many refer to it as for the first quarter of the 20th century. As with many jobbers, Frost sold fishing tackle and wares under different names, many collectors […]

HH Kiffe Fishing Tackle Catalog

Kiffe Fishing Tackle Catalog

Kiffe Fishing Tackle Catalog This HH Kiffe Fishing Tackle Catalog is a great example of a company that has been in the sporting goods business since the late 1800’s. Being able to look into the window or through the door back into 1925 we get to sample what the antique fishing tackle industry looked like. […]

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1999

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1999 Vol 9 No 1

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1999 This  NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1999 contain the below Mentioned Articles.  June 1999 Volume 9 Issue Number 1 Cover Photo includes a photo montage of Split Shot Tin Collection with companies like Ideal, Pflueger, Alcocks, Barracuda, Olsen, Shurkatch. From the Editor by Dudley Murphy In The Begininng / Riley Haskell by Arlan Carter It’s […]

Heddon Trade Catalog 1927 Antique Lures Reels Rods

Heddon Trade Catalog 1927

Heddon Trade Catalog 1927 In this Heddon Trade Catalog 1927 is a great example of an early Heddon Catalog, At almost 100 years old we get a glimpse into the world of James Heddon of Dowagiac Michigan. 1927 Heddon Trade Catalog

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1998

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1998 Vol 8 No 1

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1998 This  NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1998 contain the below Mentioned Articles.  June 1998 Volume 8 Issue Number 1 Cover Photo includes a photo montage of the previous years NFLCC magazines. From the Editor by Dudley Murphy In The Beginning / Carrie Frost, Pioneer American Fly Tier by Jerry Martin, Fred Kibler The Fred Keeling […]

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1995

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1995 Vol 5 No 1

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1995 This  NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1995 contain the below Mentioned Articles.  I have duplicate copies of the NFLCC Magazine and Gazettes available by clicking below NFLCC Magazines & Gazettes If you are a collector of antique fishing lures & tackle you really should consider joining the NFLCC, you can so by visiting […]

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1994

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1994 Vol 4 No 1

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1994 This  NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1994 contain the below Mentioned Articles.  June 1994 Volume 4 Issue Number 1 Cover Photo includes a Line Spool Collection with  rod, reel and a few underwater minnows such as the Heddon 150. From the Editor by Dudley Murphy In the Beginning Part 7  Central New York Lure […]

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1993

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1993 Vol 3 No 1

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1993 This  NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1993 contain the below Mentioned Articles.  I have duplicate copies of the NFLCC Magazine and Gazettes available by clicking below NFLCC Magazines & Gazettes If you are a collector of antique fishing lures & tackle you really should consider joining the NFLCC, you can so by visiting […]

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1992

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1992 Vol 2 Issue 1

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1992 This  NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1992 contain the below Mentioned Articles.  I have duplicate copies of the NFLCC Magazine and Gazettes available by clicking below NFLCC Magazines & Gazettes If you are a collector of antique fishing lures & tackle you really should consider joining the NFLCC, you can so by visiting […]

NFLCC Magazine 1991 Articles

NFLCC Magazine Premier Issue 1991

NFLCC Magazine Article Index 1991 These 2 NFLCC Magazine 1991 issues contain the below Mentioned Articles. I was trying to find an article the other day and came to the realization there was no list I could go to look at and find the article I wanted. I figured, if I was looking, there would be others as well. Hope you […]

19th Century Fishing Line

19th Century Fishing Line 19th Century Fishing Line – Fishing lines came in a variety of packaging styles in the late 1800s besides being wound on wooden spools (which were introduced in the late 1870s). It was very common to find lines sold in “HANKS” (wrapped in elongated coils with the final wraps around the […]

Antique Fishing Line Blocks

Tight Lines Tuesday Line Blocks

Antique Fishing Line Blocks by John Etchieson Antique Fishing Line Blocks; 133 years ago in 1884 a fisherman was just as likely to find his fishing lines to be packaged on a wooden frame, called a “line block”, as he was to find them wrapped onto a round wooden spool since those had only been […]

Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card

Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card

Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card This item is a Vintage New and unused Bear Brand Antique Fly Fishing Line Card. This rare silk fly fishing line that was coiled and attached to a cardboard card from 85+ years ago was only made for two years due to the company’s economic conditions caused by […]

Vintage Indian Brand “VACUOIL” Impregnated Japan Silk Enameled Fly Line

Vintage Indian Brand "VACUOIL" Impregnated Japan Silk Enameled Fly Line

Vintage Indian Brand “VACUOIL” Impregnated Japan Silk Enameled Fly Line This unused and like new INDIAN brand “VACUOIL” Impregnated first quality Japan silk enameled fly line coiled on a card that is marked Patent Pending was registered with the U S Patent Office on March 29, 1922 by the manufacturer Cortland Line Company (est. 1915) […]

1937 Hall’s Celebrated Florida Pride Brand Twisted Linen Fishing Line Card

1937 Hall’s Celebrated Florida Pride Brand Twisted Linen Fishing Line Card

1937 Hall’s Celebrated Florida Pride Brand Twisted Linen Fishing Line Card This 1937 Hall’s Celebrated FLORIDA PRIDE brand twisted linen fishing line coiled on a rectangular card was manufactured from the highest quality flax imported from Ireland by the Henry Hall Line Company (est. 1840) of Highland Mills, New York. This line which came in […]

1934 Era Highest Quality Twisted Linen Cuttyhunk Line Card

Highest Quality Twisted Linen Cuttyhunk Line Card

1934 Era Highest Quality Twisted Linen Cuttyhunk Line Card This 1934 era Highest Quality Twisted Linen Cuttyhunk line coiled onto a card was manufactured by the Newton Line Company (est.1909) of Homer New York. This line was the same as Newton’s Princess Pat brand line (but of considerably lower quality), including the same graphic image […]

ILIUM Brand Special Braided Line Coiled Round Card

ILIUM Brand Line Card

ILIUM Brand Special Braided Line Coiled Round Card This extra quality ILIUM brand special braided line coiled on a round card was manufactured from black and white smooth combed cotton threads closely braided by the W. H. (William Henry) Draper & Son Company (est. 1865) of Troy New York. The ILIUM brand was introduced prior […]

Trout Fly Fishing Line Assortment

Tight Lines Tuesday Trout Assortment

Trout Fly Fishing Line Assortment Trout Fly Fishing Line Assortment; Finding a rare brand of fishing line that was made more than 85 years ago is almost impossible for a collector of antique fishing tackle to do these days and then finding the identity of the graphics artist that provided the image for the label […]

Ashaway Boatmen’s Cuttyhunk Fine Braided Fishing Line

Ashaway Boatmen's Cuttyhunk Fine Braided Fishing Line

Ashaway Boatmen’s Cuttyhunk Fine Braided Fishing Line This is a Classic, Vintage, Original, Boatman’s Cuttyhunk, Fine Braided Fishing Line New on Card. This fine quality wonderful piece is new old stock, and dates back about 80 years. This version of the special BOATMEN’S Cuttyhunk brand hand laid twisted linen fishing line coiled on a card […]

Yelo Casting Line

Yelo Casting Line

Yelo Casting Line Yelo Casting Line – YELO KASTER – Bing Crosby (1903 – 1977), the famous singer and actor, was an avid fisherman who loved and participated in the sport every chance he got when he was not recording classics like “White Christmas” or making one of his many “On the Road” series of […]

GH Mansfield Extra Strong

GH Mansfield Extra Strong

GH Mansfield Extra Strong The GH Mansfield Extra Strong; 91 years ago in 1927 the G H Mansfield Company (EST. 1821) of Canton Massachusetts produced this EXTRA STRONG brand of Japan silk casting line that was designed to take the strongest of the fighting Musky fish. To convey the great strength of their fishing line […]

Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting

Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting

Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting This Fly Fishing Oil Canvas Painting made the 10.5 hour drive each way a few weeks ago worth it. Along with seeing the many friends it had been to long and to far in between. I may not have gotten it until today but it was what I anticipated getting […]

Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel

Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel

Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel This great little ad discusses the Pflueger Flying Helgramite Vs Chapman Buel. This comes to us from 1884, 137 years ago. Early advertising for lures mentioned in here such as the Crystal Minnow, and the Flying Helgramite are hard to come by so enjoy. Pflueger Flying Helramite Vs Chapman […]

The Thrill of the Hunt Country Living June 2016

Country Living Magazine Antique Lure

The Thrill of the Hunt Country Living June 2016 Thrill of the Hunt speaks volumes to many of us collectors, either in spirit or in dedication. Whether its that crazed passion that wakes us up in the morning 4 hours early to get to be first in line at the estate sale or travel 5 […]

The First Kingfisher Lines

Tight Lines Tuesday The First Kingfisher Lines

The First Kingfisher Lines by John Etchieson Its Tight Lines Tuesday The First Kingfisher Lines ; Between 1890 and 1905 the E J Martin Company Kingfisher brand was granted a registered trade mark by the U S Patent Office for each of three slightly different variations to the artwork that was used on their first […]

Antique Lure History Collage

Antique Lure History Collage

Antique Lure History Collage While this Antique Lure History Collage isn’t very old all being published in 1986, the author took great care in inserting some wonderful “Easter Eggs” to find. This photo was taken from an article in 1986, from “The Florida Today” newspaper. How many can you find? The Heddon Slope Nose or […]

WD Chapman Photo

WD Chapman Photo

WD Chapman Photo This WD Chapman Photo is truly a great piece of history. In speaking to a local historian in Theresa New York Jefferson County she said she had a photo of the antique lure maker and would make a copy of her copy and mail it to me. Little nuggets of history come […]

Barracuda Brand Antique Lure Line Up

Barracuda Brand Antique Lure Line Up

Barracuda Brand Antique Lure Line Up This Barracuda Brand Antique Lure Line Up sheet was part of a catalog sent out to tackle dealers in the 1950’s. The sheet focuses on 12 of its current fishing lure line up and explains to dealers the features, functions, and benefits and packaging of each antique lure. I […]

Bomber Bait Company Press Release

Bomber Bait Company Press Release

Bomber Bait Company Press Release This Bomber Bait Company Press Release and accompanying letter from one of the founders is a neat breadcrumb that I came across in sizable pile of research docs, catalogs, and salesman brochures I had amassed over time. It was hidden behind some papers I had looked at many many times […]

Buckeye Bait Mad Minno Lure Color Guide

Buckeye Bait Mad Minno Lure Color Guide

Buckeye Bait Mad Minno Lure Color Guide This Buckeye Bait Mad Minno Lure Color Guide give us a an example by color Salesman or Dealer Sheet. Fining out what colors certain lures come in not only help us collectors by giving us a color guide to go by, but can help when trying to find […]

Pico Lure Sales Sheet

Pico Lure Sales Sheet

Pico Lure Sales Sheet This Pico Lure Sales Sheet dates to the January of 1952. The antique lure sales sheet contains a half dozen different lures in the assorted colors they were available in. Of historical note, you will see the PO Box address change, from 1194 to 5366 for those who may be  tracing and […]

Smithwick Lure Early Sales Sheet

Smithwick Lure Early Sales Sheet

Smithwick Lure Early Sales Sheet Here is a great Smithwick Lure Early Sales Sheet that I found among some other early Miscellaneous fishing lure dealer sheets. By Looking at the classic baits we know its early, unfortunately, there is no date stamped on this one like some of the others. I would bet this would […]

Clark Popper Scout Darter Lure Chart

Clark Popper Scout Darter Lure Chart

Clark Popper Scout Darter Lure Chart This Clark Popper Scout Darter Lure Chart coinsides with the Water Scout, Little Eddie and Streamline posted yesterday. Giving us another look at a few lure models. Clark’s Popper Scout Clark’s Darter Scout Whichever series of Clark’s lures you choose, they are yours for better fishing. They are designed […]

Bottom Scratcher Lure Color Chart

Bottom Scratcher Lure Color Chart

Bottom Scratcher Lure Color Chart This Bottom Scratcher Lure Color Chart give us a cool look at the sale sheet for a uniquely named antique fishing lure. The Bottom Scratcher came out in around 1950 and helps us date the piece, as it talks about the “New” bait. Bottom Scratcher A New, Deep Diving Bait […]

Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby

Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby

Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby Cornelia Fly Rod Crosby was Born and raised in Philips Maine in 1854. Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby was a writer, fly fisher, hunter, and outdoor enthusiast who worked for the Maine Central Railroad promoting the sporting life in Maine at the turn of the century. She held the first Maine Guide […]

Scorpaena Volitans

Scorpaena Volitans The Scorpaena Volitans whose name is an indication of its seductive & deadly beauty. I love old color plates, and this plate is almost 2 centuries ago, published in 1833. Plates exhibit a lost art and craft akin to some of the subjects of focus itself.  It’s habitat, the Coast of Ceylon, has […]

Acanthurus Vittatus

Acanthurus Vittatus

Acanthurus Vittatus The Acanthurus Vittatus a name nearly as eloquent as its striped & colored beauty. This plate is almost 2 centuries ago, published in 1833. Plates exhibit a lost art and craft akin to some of the subjects of focus itself. It’s habitat, the Coast of Ceylon, has been since renamed a more familiar, […]