J. Conroy, J.C. Conroy & Co., Conroy Bissett & Malleson, Thomas J. Conroy - New York, NY
J. Conroy reels were the first in a long line of reels that would span almost 100 years. John Conroy founded his company around 1830. This makes him one of the earliest and longest running reel companies. The name Conroy was associated with quality reels and rods and this was responsible for the company's longevity. The company name went through a series of changes through the years. J. Conroy reels can be found with various markings. The first change was from "J. Conroy, Maker" to "Conroys, Makers" in 1846 when John's son joined the business. Then, in 1864, the company was run by Conroy's son when John retired. The name of the company was changed to "J.C. Conroy & Co". In 1875, the name was changed once again this time to "Conroy, Bissett & Malleson". In 1881, Frederick Malleson withdrew and took over the manufacture of reels for Conroy at 136 1st Street in Brooklyn. Conroy ran the showroom at 65 Fulton St. The name of the company was then changed to just "Conroy & Bissett". This company named lasted for only a couple of years until 1883 when Bissett withdrew. The final name of the company was "Thomas J. Conroy". The first reels marked Thomas J. Conroy were made by Malleson. After 1890, his reels were also made using the Julius vom Hofe patents and were sold in his store. The "Silver King" was one of the earliest Julius vom Hofe models. It is not uncommon to find both Thomas J. Conroy and Julius vom Hofe names on the same reel. John Conroy Is considered one of the great New York reel makers.
The CONROY Company Name History
The First Model CONROY Brass Reel, circa 1830's
The J. CONROY, MAKER Brass Reel, circa 1840
The CONROYS MAKERS, German Silver NY Reel, circa 1846
The CONROYS MAKERS, German Silver NY Reel, circa 1846
The CONROYS MAKERS, Brass NY Style Reel, circa 1846
The J.C. CONROY & CO. Reel, circa 1870
The J.C. CONROY & CO. Reel with Adjustable Drag, circa 1870
The J.C. CONROY & CO. Brass Reel, circa 1870
The CONROY, BISSETT & MALLESON Brass Reel, circa 1875
The CONROY, BISSETT & MALLESON Brass Reel
The CONROY Salmon Reel Made by MALLESON, circa 1880
The CONROY & BISSETT Salmon Reel Made by MALLESON, circa 1881
MALLESON Size 1 Reel Made for THOS. J. CONROY, circa 1890
JULIUS VOM HOFE Reel & Box Made for THOS. J. CONROY, circa 1890
J.C. CONROY & CO. 1889 Catalog "Silver King" Reel Page
J.C. CONROY & CO. 1871 Ads
J.C. CONROY & CO. August, 1873 Forest and Stream Magazine Ad
CONROY, BISSETT & MALLESON May, 1875 Forest and Stream Magazine Ad
CONROY & BISSETT May, 1883 Forest and Stream Magazine Ad
THOMAS J. CONROY Ad for "The Wells Click Reel" in 1888 Forest and Stream
The "WELLS" Reel in the 1891 THOMAS J. CONROY Catalog
The "WELLS" Reel Sold by THOMAS J. CONROY
THOMAS J. CONROY January, 1891 Forest and Stream Magazine Ad
THOMAS J. CONROY May, 1891 Forest and Stream Magazine Ad
Forest and Stream 1915 Ad
Forest and Stream 1917 Ad