Thos. H. Chubb Henshall-Van Antwerp Reel - Post Mills, VT
Thos. H. Chubb reels were made by a company established in 1869. They sold a range of quality rods and reels including the famous Henshall-Van Antwerp reel. The reel first appeared in 1885. The flowing lines and protruding drag thumb lever and click lever make this reel highly sought by collectors today. The German sliver Henshall-Van Antwerp reel was made for only a few years and incorporates his September 27, 1887 patent. There are three different models that are differentiated by the location of the thumb brake and click mechanisms. The last model Henshall-Van Antwerp reels were made by Julius vom Hofe. The reel is named after two of Chubb's friends and associates. Dr. J.A. Henshall, author of "The Book of the Black Bass," wrote about the merits of using tackle made by Thos. Chubb. Chubb also credited Dr. Wm. Van Antwerp, of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky with co-designing the reel design features. It's important to note that only Chubb's name appears on his patents as the "Inventor." Chubb also made a small fly reel. He received a Design Specification patent on May 22, 1883 and a patent on July 31, 1883 for his fly reel.
The Chubb factory burned down in 1891. Chubb then sold the business to Montague City Rod Co. that year. Montague changed the company name from "Thos. H. Chubb" to "T.H. Chubb Rod Co." The company is considered one of the great reel makers in the New England States area.
HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP First Model Reels
The First Model HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel, circa 1885
The First Model HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel Variation
The First Model HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel Variation
The Second Model HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel, circa 1887
The Third Model HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel, circa 1895
The HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reels - 2nd and 3rd Models
Thomas H. Chubb November, 1883 "The American Angler" Magazine Ad
Thos. H. Chubb First Model HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel 1885 Ad
Thos. H. Chubb First Model HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel 1887 Ad
Thos. H. Chubb Second Model HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel 1888 Ad
HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel in Thos. H. Chubb 1888 Catalog
Thos. H. Chubb Fly Reel in the 1888 Catalog
T. H. Chubb Rod Co. Ad in 1892 "The Sportsman Directory"
T. H. Chubb Rod Co. Ad in May 1894 "American Field" Magazine
HENSHALL-VAN ANTWERP Reel in T. H. Chubb Rod Co. 1895 Catalog showing Third Model
Thomas H. Chubb September 27, 1887 Patent
Thomas H. Chubb Fly 1883 Reel Patents
Link to ORCA Newsletter Article about Thomas Chubb and the Henshall-Van Antwerp Reel
Link to 1886 Thos. H. Chubb Catalogs
Link to 1888 Thos. H. Chubb Catalogs
Link to 1890 Thos. H. Chubb Catalog
Link to 1891 Thos. H. Chubb Catalog