Wm. H. Talbot Reel Co., Nevada, MO

Wm. Talbot reels are perhaps some of the highest quality reels ever made. The earliest reels were made in Nevada, MO from about 1895 to 1913. In 1913 the company name was changed to Talbot Reel & Manufacturing Co. and was moved to Kansas City, MO. The first models made in Nevada were marked No. 2, 3 or 4 and had four screws attaching the head plate to the reel frame. Talbot received a patent in January 22, 1901 for a design that incorporated only three screws to attach the head plate. The top of the line models were marked with the numbers No. 50, 52, 53 and 54. These models had clear saphire jeweled bearings and ivory knobs. Talbot also made low production runs of the Levison Special and the Talbot Special. These models are scarce. The Niangua is also a high quality reel and was made for many years in both Nevada and Kansas City. The most desireable reel for collectors is the Ben Hur fly reel. They are considered very scarce. His bottom of the line of reels (if there is a bottom of the line for Talbot) are named after heavenly bodies like Meteor, Star, Mars and Comet. All Talbot reels are collectable and sought after by collectors.