As we continue to delve into the Aladdin’s cave of Peter Wheat’s Fishing Collection, we find a plethora of fascinating treasures.
We have just discovered, for example, various silver fob medals given as awards by Angling Clubs for catches of specimen fish. Notable amongst these are silver medals awarded by The Highbury Angling Society of London and The Red Spinner Angling Society for specimen fish (interesting that one is for a carp of just 8lb caught in 1911). These medals are highly collectable and not easy to find.
Peter also collected fishing related lapel badges and has a fine desirable range of these. Badges from numerous clubs including Captain Cooke AS, National Association of Specimen Groups, Cane and Able Society and Oxford and Cambridge AS. Perhaps the most interesting and rare of all is the ‘unofficial’ lapel badge of The Golden Scale Club. Or should I say the infamous Golden Scale Club (see attached image. I wonder how many you recognise).
Formed by Chris Yates and friends such as Bernard Venables, they shared a fondness for vintage fishing tackle, old-fashioned pubs, and relaxed angling. It is said the badge was introduced at the AGM in 1995 but not all members were in favour of the formality of a badge and the badge was not officially accepted. Very few were made or indeed survived. Perhaps more on this story in a later blog.
Our next listing will be of Peter’s lure collection and this will feature in a blog soon.
