The finest collection of Allcock Aerial reels ever to be seen at auction will be the star turn at Mullock’s in Ludlow on Saturday (July 19). There are so many Aerials that the collection is being offered over eight sales to avoid flooding the market with premium reels. They have been compiled by Scottish collector Stan Matthews of Lanarkshire, who has been seeking the finest Aerials for more than 30 years. Many of the reels on offer are unique examples. This sale includes a 4in Improved Rollerback Aerial factory special variant that was ordered by Sir Thomas Peel Dunhill, surgeon to the Royal Household. There is also a 4.5in unventilated Rollerback Aerial; the only known example of a 6in unventilated Model 5138 with its leather case (pictured); a 4in double-ventilated narrow drum and a 3in c1910 Coxon Aerial with three spokes. “I suspect I will never see a collection of Aerials like this in my lifetime,” said John Stephenson, Mullock’s tackle expert. “The condition is superb, and there are just so many rare reels.” The sale also has some unique items owned by George Kelson, the famed author of The Salmon Fly. These include his personal hackle book with a wide selection of dyed hackles; a handwritten pattern list noting many rare and previously unseen pattern variations, and best of all,his fly-tying chest. The black japanned chest, described in The Salmon Fly,  wasmade by Rollaston of Hatton Garden, London. It contains,among other things, a large selection of coloured seal’s fur, a quantity of salmon flies up to 6/0, and notes on many flies. The auction starts at 10.30am and you can bid online. View the catalogue here.