Boxes with xylonite plates
Richard Wheatley started making these around 1890 replacing the leather covered card boxes that the Company had originally produced. The boxes were made from tin plate, finished with a black japanned exterior and white enamel interior. The earliest boxes have no markings as they were made by outworkers and assembled in Wheatley's factory. The outworkers may also have supplied other fishing tackle or fly box makers. By 1906 Wheatley's had registered the RW lozenge and it was embossed on left hand side xylonite plate. For boxes with external logos see Early Boxes 2 (next page)
Black Japanned Boxes with xylonite plate or alloy plates
| Clips |
| 51 |
| 56 |
| 58 |
| 119 |
| 119 |
| 119 |
| 119 |
| 119 |
| 120 |
| 140 |
| 238 |
| 238 |
| Size |
| 3 1/2 x 2 3/8 x 1/2 |
| 4 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1 |
| Comments |
| Small lozenge |
| Small lozenge 4 strips of large 7 on each side |
| Large lozenge on right page plus 7 cork strips on left side |
| Small lozenge dark yellow plates |
| Small lozenge |
| Small lozenge 5 parchment pages like fly book |
| Large Lozenge with alloy swing leaf with 98 clips |
| Large lozenge |
| Large lozenge 1904 patent clips (photo on home page) |
| Large lozenge |
| Large lozenge with xylonite leaves & alloy swing leaf |
| Large lozenge with xylonite swing leaf |
| Rarity |
|
| R |
|
| RR |
|
| R |
|
| RR |
|
| R |
|
| RR |
|
| RR |
|
| R |
|
| RR |
|
| R |
|
| RR |
|
| RR |
|
Condition is everything in japanned boxes, the exterior is often badly damaged and those that have immaculate finish cause concern. Very few people use these boxes for fishing so take care if you are collecting Wheatley boxes.
Aluminium Boxes with xylonite plates
| 24 |
| 40 |
| 56 |
| 56 |
| 60 |
| 69 |
| 69 |
| 70 |
| 80 |
| 85 |
| 119 |
| 4 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1 |
| 4 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 4 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 8 x 4 3/8 x 3/4 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1/2 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1/2 |
| 4 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 1 |
| 4 7/8 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| 6 x 3 1/2 x 5/8 |
| Small lozenge. Strips salmon clips converted to 4's |
| Small lozenge |
| Large lozenge sea trout or grisle clips |
| Small Lozenge sea trout or grisle clips |
| Large Lozenge |
| Large Lozenge |
| Small Lozenge - |
| Large lozenge |
| Large lozenge with alloy swing leaf |
| Large Lozenge with "lead like" outside covering |
| Large Lozenge |
| RR |
|
| R |
|
| R |
|
| R |
|
| RR |
|
| R |
|
| R |
|
| R |
|
| RR |
|
| RR |
|
| R |
|
The Richard wheatley Museum
Rarity value is based on the simple system below
A - this boxes are either still available via Richard Wheatley, other fishing tackle dealers.
C- box is common & turns up regularly at vintage tackle dealers, fairs or auctions incl. ebay
S- this box is scare but turn up on occasions
R- this box is rare
RR- these are very rare
E - this is exceptional, extremely rare and few examples are known.
Remember Richard Wheatley Vintage Angling Equipment is worth what someone will pay and the contents of the box maybe worth more than the box
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