By Adrian Kinton
An antique fishing reel crafted by hand nearly 200 years ago sparked a saleroom battle and grand result for a delighted seller.
Lot 3097 in Hansons’ September 2023 Antiques and Collectors’ Auction proved to be the reel deal when a determined fishing enthusiast landed a whopping 1,300-pounder.
After a full-blooded tussle lasting many minutes, our bidder went head to tail with a fellow piscatorian before finally luring his catch safely into the net. The hammer fell at £1,300 from a guide of £80-£120.
So, what was so special about this particular prize, I hear you ask? It was an early 19th century, circa 1830, inlaid brass reel, engraved with a couple walking with their daughter Anne in a perambulator, the reverse with openwork engraved flower design, signed ‘W Dann, Nottm’.
Closer inspection reveals the Georgian gent carried the initials E.R.D. whilst his wife has the name ‘Eli’ and the child ‘Anne’ similarly recorded. Our research has shown no written record of a William Dann working in the Nottingham area though similar early brass reels produced by him show him to be active in the early part of the 19th century.
Nottinghamshire had, at that time, a thriving cottage industry of ‘winchmakers’, as they were then known producing high quality winches (reels) originally in brass, then later incorporating wood and finally wood only reels.
A new study by Stefan Duma entitled ‘Men of Trent’ has provided new evidence of these early craftsmen, including William Dann himself and the evolution of these unique items. Did Dann know the family on the reel? Was it a special commission?
Either way, our lot clearly caught the imagination of our buyer in southern England and the bait was too tempting to refuse.
Holding the heavy brass reel, it is easy to understand the lure of this wonderful object to current enthusiasts.
Country pursuits items are invited for auction. To arrange a free valuation, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
