Best Fishing Tackle Book Ever Written! Arthur Kovalovsky & Sons

[Vintage Offshore Tackle]

Yesterday the printer delivered the shipment of 300 numbered copies of the book "Arthur Kovalovsky & Sons - A 100-Year History of Design Innovation and Excellence" to the author John Bechtold (Alantani.com member Deepfins), one of the world's foremost collectors of early 20th Century big game reels.  I was fortunate to be there an pick up my copy.  The book is far and away the finest fishing book that I have ever seen. 

Michael Fowlkes, Producer/Director of the award-winning fishing series, Inside Sportfishing and Producer/Director of the documentary film series, The History of Sportfishing wrote in the book's Foreword, "Destined to become a part of the Smithsonian, Kovalovsky & Sons: A 100-year History of Design Innovation and Excellence is a national treasure. The book is one of the most comprehensive, inspiring and engaging on the sport I've ever read."

John is on the road today to the Old Reel Collectors Association annual convention in Frankfort, Kentucky, which runs from 9/11-14 at the Capital Plaza Hotel, where he will be delivering the pre-sold copies, and will begin shipping the books when he returns home shortly thereafter.  Once these 300 numbered copies are gone there will be no more, and the value is likely to skyrocket.  Don't miss out.  To order a copy contact John Bechtold through his website kovalovskybook.com.  You should also check out his amazing website, kovalovskyreels.com
 
From the website Kovalovskybook.com: "John spent nearly four years and thousands of hours on this book detailing the history of legendary reelsmith, Arthur Kovalovsky and his family. The book covers Arthur's early years in Hollywood, CA; big game fishing history; Arthur's two sons, Oscar and Lewis, and their involvement in the tackle business; the family's hunting and gunsmithing; Oscar's and Lewis' reels and tackle; a complete history of Oscar's partnership with Fin-Nor and Angling Products, Inc. (API); other Kovalovsky family members; famous and not so famous clients; some of the big game fishing tackle companies that competed with Kovalovsky; and Oscar's beautiful prototype fly reels and big game reels."
     
"Packed with stunning photography, and letters and documents from the Kovalovsky estate, it includes an in-depth examination of all their reels, including patent drawings, detailed descriptions, and pictures of the internal mechanics of the different models. It also includes many examples of correspondence from and photos of Kovalovsky's famous clients and their catches."
     
The book measures 12 inches by 10 inches in size and is landscape orientated. Crafted with the utmost care, it features a Smyth-sewn binding for durability, a slipcase for protection, and is printed on heavy-weight 100-pound high gloss paper. Each copy is signed and numbered. Price: $185

*Please pardon the poor quality of my photos.  They don't do the book justice.  You can see more than 150 amazing photos of Kovalovsky reels on John's website, Kovalovskyreels.com. 

[Cuttyhunker]

Had to buy one as Gramps is in it as part of the Kov story.  Don't know if John used this one, Baileys Island Maine early August 1945, a few days before the bomb.  He had fished Wedgeport N.S. pre war.  The accompanying article had him landing 2 600#'s in a day.  Kov 16/0, Tycoon rod.

[Vintage Offshore Tackle]

Bob, are either of these guys your grandfather?

[Vintage Offshore Tackle]

Bob, I just found this photo in the book also

[Benni3]

They made a time machine out of a 16/0 with Dorothy's shoes to get back,,,,,   this sounds like it would make a great movie,,,,,very cool photo's,,,,,  

[Cuttyhunker]

Randy,
Gramps is on the left with the Kov and Tycoon the guy on the right is his lifelong pal Doc Bayless, circa 1938 Wedgeport NS in what I believe was a Freeport (NY) Tuna Club trip.  The other solo shot in the book of Gramps was in Mom's wartime scrapbook at Baileys Island Maine in early August 1945, again with Doc.  The attached solo shot is Wedgeport and look closely under his elbow you can see an old glass cylinder gravity flow gas pump.  There is a photo of Tommy Gifford standing in the same spot with some giants, same building in the background in Ed Prichard's collection