Charles Farlow is one of the earliest British fishing tackle manufacturers. He began his business in 1840. His first reels were all brass with ivory crank knobs and engraved in script with "C. Farlow, Maker, 221 Strand, London." In 1852 the company moved to a new address at 191 Strand, London. The company name was later changed to C. Farlow & Co. LTD in 1894.
Farlow made a wide range of reels from the early brass reels to the more common fly, salmon, spinning and wooden reels. They also made a Big Game reel and Tournament casting reels.
One of the most interesting and novel designs was the "Billiken" bait casting reel. It contained a "fan regulator" to keep the reel spool from over-running the line. The fan provide air resistance as the speed of the spool increased. The reel also incorporated a free-spool feature. The design was patented in 1910 and 1913 and and was made from 1911 through 1940. It came in two sizes - 2 1/4" and 3 1/8".
The BILLIKEN Reel, Circa 1930
1940 C. Farlow Co. Catalog Pages
The Farlow Salmon Reel, Circa 1890