EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBZane Grey's J.A. Coxe 12/0
About Seller
20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
United States
Founded in 2005, Copley Fine Art Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in antique decoys and American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Over the course of the last two decades, the firm has set auction records for not only individual decoy makers, but also entire carving regions. Copley...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,500 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $25,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
About Auction
LiveFeb 21, 2025
Lots 1-261 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com
View Full Catalog (261)
- Lot Description
Zane Grey's J.A. Coxe 12/0
Joe A. Coxe
Los Angeles, CA c. 1930
"But despite the terrific strain I got the drag off. Right there began a demonstration of the efficiency of the great Coxe reel." — Zane Grey on catching a 684-pound tuna using a Coxe reel in "Tales of Swordfish and Tuna."
Like Arthur Kovalovsky, Joe A. Coxe approached reel-making from an angler's perspective. An accomplished big game fisherman, Coxe was director of the Tuna Club of Santa Catalina Island and later served as its president for seven years. Zane Grey praises Coxe in "Tales of Fishes," writing that "he has rebuilt and rejuvenated the Tuna Club on the splendid standard set by its founder."
Coxe recognized that the tackle available in the early 1900s could not always meet the demands of big game fishermen. Around 1920, he began making his own reels and used his experience as a fisherman to incorporate features he knew would be effective. They proved to be some of the best and most reliable reels that money could buy. Zane Grey was a friend and loyal customer, working with Coxe to have reels specially built to his requirements. He is thought to be the first to make a reel larger than 9/0 and did so on a special order for Grey.
The rare and exceptional J. A. Coxe 12/0 reel in this lot was owned and fished by Zane Grey. Grey landed many giant fish using the power and precision hidden within the black plates of this reel. Several photographs exist of Grey fighting fish using this exact reel, including in a character card from Grey's film, "Sea Adventures." The leather Hardy Bros. case that Grey used to hold this reel is included. On the top of this case, Grey inscribed "Coxe 12/0 most used" along with his signature, indicating that this was one of his favorite reels. The reel has a six-inch diameter and a star drag adjustment on the front plate. Stamped on the handle is "J. A. Coxe. 218 E. 25 St. L.A. Cal., Maker, Pat. Apld. For."
As found.
Provenance: Zane Grey Tackle Collection
The Brian McGrath Collection
Ronald J. Gard Collection
Literature: Zane Grey, "Tales of Swordfish and Tuna," Harper & Brothers, New York, NY, 1927, Zane Grey writes about Coxe reels. Zane Grey, "Tales of Fishes," Harper & Brothers, New York, NY, 1919, Zane Grey writes about Joe A. Coxe.Condition
Please refer to the description; if you have questions, email ben@copleyart.com.
- Shipping Info
-
Shipping info
Copley does not offer in-house packing or shipping. For clients who require shipping, please complete the Shipping Release Form and return it with your payment. The form includes a list of shippers we frequently work with.
-
- Buyer's Premium
