The marlin flag that Ernest Hemingway flew on his boat Pilar is one of the highlights at Copley Fine Art’s sporting auction this weekend.

The hand-sewn flag was almost lost to history, but was collected and preserved by Captain Bob Smith, who was a chair boy aboard the 38ft Pilar as a young man. He became a legendary Bimini guide and a friend of Hemingway’s.
Though it was estimated at $5000-$8000, bids had already reached $30,000, days before the auction started.

Another star item in the sale is a 7in Hardy Alma reel that was owned and used by the pioneering big-game fisherman and author Zane Grey. It is believed that this was the first reel that Hardy’s built for Grey, preceding its renowned Zane Grey line of big-game reels.

It is one of the very rarest Hardy reels, and only five were made in the 1930s.
The reel was named after Charlers Alma Baker, a New Zealand big-game fisherman who designed it and had Hardy Brothers produce a series of two-speed big-game reels in six sizes A December 1924 letter from Alma Baker to Zane Grey references this reel, with Baker writing: “I have given Hardy the order you gave me for one of my big-game reels, and a heavy rod…I hope they will reach you in time for the next season.”

This exact reel can be seen in a photo of Grey going through a tackle box, and is identified in a photo of Grey’s tackle collection by the black wrapping on the inner spool. It was one of five big-game reels that featured in the International Game Fish Association’s Zane Grey – The Fisherman” exhibit in 2024.
More details of the sale, which takes place today and Saturday (February 20 and 21) at www.copleyart.com.