Records tumbled when international buyers clambered for a slice of Britain's fishing history at the latest auction (March 23) of antique fishing items.
Top price was realised with a hugely rare Allcocks Coxon Aerial Reel with drum stamped patent, c 1910. It yielded £1,800. A surprisingly close second came when two collectors both wanted a rare limited edition Bernard Venables reel. Says auctioneer, John Mullock, "when bidding began it flew past the guide price and eventually closed at £1,280, which was double the valuation."
The auction got off to a bumper start with more than 100 commission bidders many of whom were from Japan and the United States. "The new auction venue of Shrewsbury Schools generated the right ambience for buyers in attendance who had travelled from throughout the UK and Europe.
Other notable sales included a Gregory flexible, Cleopatra bait £600; a very rare Hardy Duck's Foot Altex fixed spool reel, £420; rare Illingworth Threadline Casting reel, £710 and a fine cased Golden Tench by J. Cooper & Sons, £1,250. Rods sold to £480 for a fine Olivers Knebworth Mark V Avon. A Hardy Wicker Creel, £460 and a Farlow's leather tackle case, £775.
Entries are sought for Mullock Madeley's next antique fishing auction on Saturday, July 13 at Wrekin College, Shropshire. Mullock Madeley's next sporting sale is of Football memorabilia on Tuesday, April 9.
