The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Nobby, wasn't it about the same time when Shakespeare bought Allcocks, Lee and Youngs so maybe it could be they were considered just old stock and hard to sell with the gaining popularity of glass rods and Shakespeare wanting to sell more of their rods under the old banners so they gave them the "new" label to shift them.
What do you think?

Wal.

Wal, the three firms of Allcocks, Lee and JW Young were all owned by the Cope Allman Group, itself one of the vast number of firms owned by ex film director and make-up man Leonard Matchan, the second richest man in the UK after J Arthur Rank, and personal friend of Harold Wilson who became Prime Minister in 1964.

In fact Matchan had already owned a fair chunk of JW Youngs already, before the merger with Youngs which was followed by Lee joining. In effect, they weren't 'joining' so much as selling the company to Cope Allman.

Matchan then sold the lot to Shakespeare who formed the firm of Noris Shakespeare to manage the new acquisitions. I'm almost certain this happened in September 1965, as I have a heavily modified Top Tackle Catalogue from 1965 which has been amended by typewriter to include the new American imports as well as deleting a huge quantity of the Top Tackle range, including the Wizard rod. The typed foreword to the amendments reads that "they are as complete as can be up to October".

In truth, disregarding the earlier part ownership of Youngs, Matchan only owned Top Tackle for a short while, from sometime in 1963 to September 1965. What part, if any, he owned of Noris Shakespeare I don't know, but he is reported to have formed a new firm to have managed the British tackle companies in America.

I've covered what I can on my blog:

https://nobbystackle.wordpress.com/2015 ... beginning/


https://nobbystackle.wordpress.com/2015 ... t-the-end/


I also have a copy of a pretty derisory American newspaper article about Matchan. As well as detailing his friendship with our then Prime Minister it talks of his attempt to get selected as a candidate to stand for Labour.


I can think of few people with less of a socialist belief. Just how many people his buying and selling of tackle companies put out of work, I don't know...but it's got to run into many thousands.

Thanks Nobby, that was a very good read and very interesting.

You have done your homework well young man. 10/10 and a gold star. "Please try and keep up the good work!

Wal.

I agree Nobby, your knowledge is very welcome, all I need now is a fanatical wealthy Allcock collector to buy the rod!

No need for personals I think.

David

So the chronological dates of the Superb were - 3 section = 1st :: Next 2 section New Superb/Lee Carp:: Last 2 section Carp Superb in 1966 together with Avon Superb.

Carp Superb - whippings two tone red/black - based upon the New Superb and Lee Carp. Weight 12.5OZ. Aqualite butt & end rings.

So - with lack of photos - Carp Superb!!