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Meisselbach & Meisselbach-Catucci Fishing Reelsby Phil White
From the treatment of the long standing controversy of the pronunciation of MY-SELL-BOCK to the comprehensive index, this book exhibits a great mix of historical storytelling with a fact base that is complete and extensive. While Phil did benefit from being able to converse with a family member, and was able to gain access to some company records, the amount and breadth of original research is staggering. What makes this book truly stand out is how this knowledge was compiled and organized. Both Meisselbach and M-C sections begin with a historical briefing broken
into stages of each company's life followed by a section on dating and markings
found on the products. Then come chapters, divided by reel type, which describe
each product, dates made, variations noted, a picture or illustration, and the
item's scarcity. Next is a checklist for each item, followed by company
addresses, a chronological list of
There are numerous patent illustrations and advertising copies sprinkled throughout. Anyone with a passing interest in fishing reels, the Meisselbach companies, or who would just appreciate an interesting and organized treatise, should buy a copy. It has my highest recommendation. Copies are available from the author, Phil White, 14099 Lakeshore Drive,
Nampa, ID 83686. Limited Editions (less than 100 left) hardback copies are $40.00, and soft
cover editions are Reviewed by Tom Harwood |
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Stunned silence was the reply when I called Phil to tell him what I thought
of his new book. Well, what do you expect when you call someone up to converse
about their lifetime's effort to produce a reference book and you say "I
don't like it". I then said, "as someone who hopes someday to write a
reference book myself, I think that you've created a new standard that will be
impossible to live up to."
patents, a listing of catalogs and other
paper items, and finally, a nice section of reel boxes with photographs. Perhaps
most amazingly of all, for Meisselbach's manufactured from 1921 through 1941, a
chart is included showing the numbers produced for each model. See what I mean
about a tough act to follow?