Miscellany

Foam

Richard Wheatley have used a number of different foams in the boxes :-

Biscuit Foam a pale bown or tan foam resembles biscuits crumbs difficult to find in good order once the integrity of the surface has been lost.

Green Foam seems to be used for a short period in the compartment boxes.

"Polystrene" my name for the first white foam - on carefully examination has small lumps in it.

Early ethafoam which has a much more granular appearance

Modern foam also called ethafoam available in either bright white or black with flat, ripple, castellated or slotted appearance

To re foam or not refoam..... if you want to use a box then remove the old foam and replace it if you wish.... however early Wheatley boxes are spoilt for the collector if the biscuit or green foam has been removed and replaced with modern bright white foam

Griffiths Minnow

In 1923 T.L. Griffith, Frank and Richard Wheatley jointly patented what was to be marketed as "Griffiths Minnow." The one below is 2 1/2 inches long with a gold body and red fins. Another version of this minnow is marked patent applied for. Information about other sizes/ colours would be gratefully received. The photograh also shows part of the patent drawing and the construction of the minnow can be clearly seen  R

Dating Wheatley boxes and use of the logos

Richard Wheatley boxes were unmarked until 1905

The Lozenge in use from 1906 until

after 1926. The Hardy Security Clip boxes can be found with either the Lozenge logo or the

Large Made in England.

The Silmalloy Trade Mark or

logo was registered in 1935

and ceased use around 1977. It is found with either a Large or Small

Made in England.

The Wheatley - Kilroy logo appears around 1935 and dissappears between 1968 and 1977

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