J. Deally - Louisville, KY
J. Deally reels were made from about 1890 to 1900. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1825. Later in life, he moved to Louisville, KY and was a locksmith. His company was James Deally & Co. and he received a patent for a door key on May 29, 1860. The Louisville City Directories list him as a model maker from 1885 to 1891. He later was listed as a fishing reel manufacturer and model maker from about 1892 until 1897. In the 1894 Louisville City Directory, he his listed alongside B.F. Meek as Fishing Reel Manufacturers. From 1898 to his death in 1901, he is listed as only a fishing reel manufacturer. He had the mechanical ability and realized the market for high quality reels.
Most J. Deally reels were not marked with the size number. Later, he followed the style of his fellow Kentucky reel makers and marked a size number on the reels. The reels are usually found with buffalo horn handle knobs, but sometimes came with an ivory knob. Most of his reels are high quality and made of German silver (nickel silver). Some models have also been found made of brass or aluminum. His reels are considered scarce and desirable by collectors. The reels have been found in sizes varying from the small No. 1 size to the large No. 12 size. Deally is considered to be one of the great Kentucky reel makers.
The J. DEALLY No. 1 Reel, Serial Number 180
The J. DEALLY No. 2 Size Reel, Serial Number 43
The J. DEALLY No. 3 Size Reel, Serial Number 16
The J. DEALLY No. 3 Brass Reel, Serial Number 57
The J. DEALLY No. 3 Reel, Serial Number 103
The J. DEALLY No. 3 Size Reel, Serial Number 193
The J. DEALLY No. 4 Reel, Serial Number 149
The J. DEALLY No. 4 Aluminum Reel, Serial Number 197
The J. DEALLY No. 10 Reel, Serial Number 200A
The J. DEALLY Tombstone, Louisville, KY
Outing Magazine, "Evolution of the Kentucky Reel", by Dr. James A. Henshall, Dec. 1900
Forest and Stream Magazine, "History of the Kentucky Reel", Interview with J. L. Sage, Jan. 1915
Forest and Stream Magazine, "More About The Kentucky Reel", Dr. James A. Henshall, Feb. 1915
Field & Stream, "The Kentucky Reel", by Robert Lincoln Page, March, 1930
Field & Stream, "My Old Kentucky Reel", by A.J. McClane, January, 1953