Vintage Giant Float Winder & Giant Floats

[Lea Dweller]

That is lovely Paul, well spotted!

[Fredline]

I have recently purchased another vintage float winder for my collection.

When I saw it advertised with the dimensions, it was hard in my mind to imagine how big it was to be, until it arrived.

I was very interested in the three floats it came with, in particular a very early Zephyr 8A paper float circa 1920's

The only problem, it is too big for my display cabinet, so it resides on my TV stand shelf.


13 3/4" long x 4" wide with bone rollers, probably made from rose wood.


I unwound the floats, to see what tackle was attached, and my guess the almost 11" swan quill on thick strong gut, with a wire gimp hook trace, and the 10" Porcupine quill on a silk trace with a short gut fine hook length are original and circa around 1900, the Zephyr 8A has a very early label, so will be circa 1920-25, so added a little later?


Just to compare, the giant alongside a typical standard winder, half the size.


Alongside another large winder of 10", with 2 early giant Nottingham sliders, circa 1890


An early advert for Zephyr floats in a book published in 1920

What you failed to mention is this winder was sold by Jeff Della Mura and is on page 225 of his excellent book Winder Keepers.

[Coral Maestro]

That's a real whopper Paul. A nice bonus to have it come with the Zephyr float.
I'm expecting delivery of this lot from a French seller:

I don't think the winders are French however! Not sure if the wooden cart is included...

[Paul F]

That’s magnificent …… and a perfect fit for my 12.5 inch Golden Eagle quill float!

Phil

Wow, Golden Eagle quill, I'd like to see that?

[Duckett]

That’s magnificent …… and a perfect fit for my 12.5 inch Golden Eagle quill float!

Phil

Wow, Golden Eagle quill, I'd like to see that?

My original post Paul.
viewtopic.php?p=443462&hilit=Golden+eagle#p443462

Phil