For sale here is a very rare Kosmic trout fly reel. Nickel silver frame and hard rubber construction with nickel silver counterbalanced grasp and knurled end cap. The reel is stamped "The Kosmic Reel". The stamping is very faint and hard to read without magnification. The diameter of the reel is 2 5/8" pillar to pillar. The sliding click switch works as intended. All screw heads are in fine condition. No cracks or chips in the ebonite, just light scratches. The reel foot is full length and includes the "926" model number on it.

Don't miss this chance to acquire a very important piece of American reel making history! Kosmic reels are extremely hard to find in such well-preserved condition.

The following information can be found in A.J. Campbell's wonderful book on the history of fishing tackle, titled "Classic and Antique Fly Fishing Tackle". Everyone should own this book!

A.G. Spalding & Brothers was established in 1876 in Chicago and within 10 years opened branch outlets in New York and Philadelphia. They were the first to carry the rods of Thomas, Edwards and Hawes (Kosmic) and around 1892 bought the Highland Mills company from the remaining original partners and Edward Payne. Spalding also carried rods built by Fred Devine and others. The company's tackle was marked with a number of stamping dies, including "A.G. Spalding & Bros., Chicago", "Spalding & Bros., Chicago", and "Spalding & Bros." with no address - this being the New York - Philadelphia marking. After three or four years in rod manufacturing, Spalding decided to get out of the tacklemaking business and sold its Kosmic label and inventory to U.S. Net & Twine. The most famous U.S. Net & Twine reels were the Kosmic-marked models sold between approximately 1894 and '98. In 1899, U.S. Net & Twine went out of business and sold its Brooklyn reel factory to the Montague City Rod Company. Montague City continued to make and wholesale the reels, adding a multitude of newer models.