Thomas Turner have always loved buying and selling Angling Guides and Hardys have always been popular amongst our customers. Generally, the earlier, the more collectable. Like all commodities the book market particularly for Angling books and Anglers Guides has seen its fair share of highs and lows. The Hardy Anglers’ Guides are a lovely series of catalogues and guides published by Hardy Brothers. The history of these guides is deeply intertwined with the history of Hardy Brothers itself, my personal favourite. As you will read below, we were lucky enough this week to acquire some nice Hardy Anglers’ Guides, some of which are now, extremely rare, and this is why I thought I would put some rough dates together through the years of the Hardy Anglers Guides.
Founding and Early Years
- Founded in 1872 by William Hardy and his brother John James Hardy in Alnwick, Northumberland, Hardy Brothers quickly became known for their high-quality fishing tackle.
- First Catalogue: In the late 19th century, Hardy Brothers began publishing catalogues to showcase their extensive range of fishing equipment. These early catalogues were primarily sales tools but soon evolved into more comprehensive guides.
Early 20th Century
- 1900s: The early editions of the Hardy Anglers Guides were published. These guides featured detailed descriptions of products, including rods, reels, lines, and other fishing accessories, as well as prices.
- World War I: The production of fishing tackle and the publication of guides were affected by the war, but Hardy Brothers resumed their activities post-war – and as you will see by our 1917 guide below, Hardys did manage to make some in the interwar years!
- Innovations: Hardy Brothers was known for its innovative designs, such as the Perfect Reel and the famous Hardy split cane rod, which were highlighted in these guides.
- Illustrations and Photography: The guides included illustrations and, later, photographs to better display the products.
Mid-20th Century
- Expansion of Content: By the mid-20th century, the guides had expanded to include articles on fishing techniques, travel tips for anglers, and contributions from notable anglers.
- World War II: The production of fishing tackle and the publication of guides were affected by the war, but Hardy Brothers resumed their activities post-war.
Late 20th Century
- Collectable Status: As time passed, older editions of the Hardy Anglers Guides became collectible items, prized by anglers and collectors for their historical value and craftsmanship.
- Evolution of Products: The guides continued to evolve, reflecting changes in fishing technology and techniques. New materials like fiberglass and carbon fiber began to appear in the product descriptions.
21st Century
- Digital Age: Hardy Brothers adapted to the digital age, with online versions of their guides becoming available. However, the print editions remain popular for their traditional appeal.
- Heritage and Tradition: The Hardy Anglers’ Guides continue to celebrate the company’s rich heritage while showcasing modern innovations in fishing tackle.
This week we took a call from a lady who contacted us to say she had a couple of Hardy reels for sale to include a couple of post war Perfects (they will be on the site in the next few days) along with some Hardy Anglers’ Guides. Initially, I was more interested in the Perfects until I saw the Hardy guides. A dozen in all from 1910 through to the late early 1930s, but the highlight of this little collection are two extremely rare Hardy Guides from the First World War era – a 1917 and a 1919. I have only ever seen a couple of these as obviously during WWI production of all products took a back seat as many men were off fighting for their country, hence not many of the 1917 were ever published and the same again just after the war, the 1919 Hardy guide, very few were printed. All of the below will be advertised on the Thomas Turner website over the coming days.
Below is an extremely rare original 1891 Hardy Anglers Guide that I was lucky enough to acquire some years back. As you can see from the age its in pretty fantastic condition.
The Hardy Anglers Guides are more than just catalogues; they are historical documents that capture the evolution of angling equipment and culture, reflecting the advancements and traditions of one of the most prestigious names in the fishing world.
Please get in touch if you have any you wish to sell as we have collectors that are seeking certain years, particularly the earlier pre 1920 Hardy catalogues.
07535 590617 / 01275 261099
