A RARE AND IMPORTANT SALMON FLY COLLECTION BY WILLIAM HUMBLE...

Hammer

£4,750

A RARE AND IMPORTANT SALMON FLY COLLECTION BY WILLIAM HUMBLE WARD

The 2nd Earl of Dudley, Viceroy of Ireland (1867 - 1932)
comprising a collection of 105 fully dressed gut eyed salmon flies contained in the original black japanned circular metal tin, with hinged lid, side ventilation holes and gilt-painted Greek-key borders, the lid with the crest of The Earl of Dudley, 21.5cm x 19.5cm

The flies are held on eight circular velum discs which were added at a later date. The discs have a central leather pull/tab with salmon flies ranging from 5cm to 7.5cm, and including an extensive variety of traditional 19th century patterns. Upon the death of the 2nd Earl of Dudley KP, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, KSTJ. PC, TD, DL., a passionate salmon fisherman, the collection was passed to his eldest son, William Humble Eric Ward, the 3rd Earl of Dudley, who succeeded the Hon. Neville Chamberlain as President of the Midlands Fly Fishing Club in 1942. Following the 3rd Earl's resignation as President in 1950, the fly collection was gifted by him to the Club Secretary, Mr Scott Atkinson, who was a friend of the "Angling Companion" author, Courtney Williams. This collection is sold with an album of ephemera compiled by the present vendor relating to the collection, including a copy of a letter from Atkinson about how he came to be the owner of the collection.Provenance: From a private Midlands vintage fishing tackle collection.