Julius vom Hofe, New York
Ocean 'B' Saltwater Reel & Case of George Eastman
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This is really it - George Eastman's saltwater
fishing reel! Made by Julius vom Hofe in 1911 or 1912, the Ocean 'B'
model, size 4/0, was engraved by request for Eastman 'in his usual
fashion.' It was a reel size appropriate for marlin, swordfish, or
tarpon fishing; the brochure for the reel shows a selling price of
$85.00 in 1912.
The pictures show the detail which identifies the reel's former owner - the red script lettering on the reel itself, the engraved silver tag on the leather case. In the collection of George Eastman House, Rochester, NY, is a smaller salmon reel made by Julius vom Hofe's brother, Edward. While the two reels are not identical in manufacture, they are identical in how they were customized for Eastman: red script lettering, silver engraved tag. |
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