5Pattern history and manufacturer context
Series
The printed label leaves the size blank after No., to be written in by hand, which suggests one label stock served several sizes of the pattern I. The firm’s full Limerick size range is not documented.
Design lineage
Limerick is one of the traditional named hook and fly-hook shapes V. The documented sources do not define its geometry or date its origin.
Dating
No date appears on the hook or its label. The range follows the maker's trade-directory listings as a fish hook maker, 1850 to 1948 V.
The label print examined cannot narrow it I.
John James & Son — John James & Sons made needles and fish hooks
V. Formed in 1840 and registered in 1902, the firm merged with Henry Milward & Sons in 1912
V. John James continues as a trading name of Entaco Limited
V.
Read the maker’s history → From Needles to Hooks. Redditch hook making grew out of needle making from about 1770, and the town's first notable hook makers were needle makers V. By 1868–69, 117 firms in the Redditch area worked in the needle and fishing tackle trades V.
7Collecting and buying
5 / 10CollectabilityRarity: Uncommon
Rated 5/10: the maker's fish hook listings end in 1948, so examples take some searching I. No recorded sales or survival counts show how strongly collectors seek the model.
Basis: Inferred from the maker's fish hook listings, which end in 1948 V. No survival counts or recorded sales are documented.
What makes this hook collectible: John James & Sons Limerick hooks on original packaging represent authentic Redditch craftsmanship from the golden age of British fly-fishing tackle. The tapered blind eye and hollow-pointed specification are engineering hallmarks of quality salmon fly hooks. Complete original cards with legible labels are increasingly scarce; most surviving examples are loose or damaged. This specimen retains its original japanned finish and label clarity, adding significant value to collectors of British angling heritage.
Primary limiting factors: John James & Sons was one of many Redditch makers producing similar Limerick designs; the hook itself is not unique in shape or function, limiting collector premium to packaging and condition rather than rarity of the design itself. Modern eyed hooks have completely supplanted blind-eye patterns in active use, so functional demand is zero. Market data for this specific maker is limited compared to Allcock, Partridge, or Mustad.
Desirable variants: Original cards with complete hook counts in Excellent condition command the highest premiums. Sizes within the standard salmon range (No. 2–No. 6) are more common than extremes. Unopened or sealed cards (very rare) would command 3–4× the value of open cards. Alternative finishes if available (bronzed, nickelled) would be more desirable than japanned for most collectors.
Condition factors affecting value: Intact label legibility is critical—faded or torn labels reduce value sharply. Missing hooks from the card typically reduce value by 30–50% depending on count. Original packaging (card and label) is essential; loose hooks alone fetch far less. Corrosion or rust on hooks significantly impacts value; this specimen’s bright finish is a major positive. Card edge wear and minor toning are acceptable and expected for age.
Market value
Insufficient recorded sales data to estimate a reliable value.
0 sold observations recorded; 2 are needed, with the basis and date of the range, before a value is shown. Asking prices are shown as asking prices only.
No recorded sold results for this model are documented. The value range shown is not based on recorded sales.
Where to find
The size No. 4 specimen recorded here came from eBay in 2009, according to its collector label P.
