Very Rare Fowler Side-Mount Trout Reel

Marked on top of the spool "Fowler's Pat. - June 18, 1872", this extremely fragile reel was granted patent No.128137 to Dr. Alonzo Fowler, a dentist by trade in Batavia, NY, for his "Improvement In Fishing Reels". Dr. Fowler's first Gem models, available in two sizes, were constructed without a click and in 1875 were re-introduced as the "Improved Gem" by way of an external click and pawl added to the spool center, as seen on this exquisite example. Because of the fragile nature of these reels, there are scant few examples of Dr. Fowler's invention that remain intact. Condition of this small size, 2 5/8" diameter trout size reel is Ex, with no signs of cracking or scratches to the fragile hard rubber spool, with the only evidence of use the small rubs at the distal ends of the full-length foot from the sliding bands of a reel seat. You would be hard pressed to find a nicer example. A photo of this particular reel appears on page 76 of Antique Fishing Reels - 2nd Edition by Steve Vernon.