Special Collections & Archives

Tinsman Collection

The Robert Tinsman Angling Collection comprises over 500 volumes, most in first or special editions, which primarily relate to trout and Atlantic salmon. Included are classics of British angling, such as Richard Bowlker’s The Art of Angling (1758?), as well as early American angling titles such as R.B. Roosevelt’s Gamefishes of Northern States (1862) and Mary Orvis Marbury’s Favorite Flies and Their Histories (1892). The Tinsman collection features 58 major editions of The Compleat Angler, including the Second Edition (1655) and George Washington Bethune’s first American edition (1847). Several of these editions, such as one with a handsome doublure, are representative of the fine bindings found throughout the collection. Robert Tinsman, president of a successful New York advertising agency, was a member of the Lafayette College Class of 1901 and a life-time trustee of the College. The Tinsman Angling Collection, acquired in 1975, was a gift of Tinsman’s widow, Mrs. Robert Morris.

Conahay Collection

In 1972, Robert S. Conahay Jr., New York City advertising executive and honorary Lafayette College graduate, donated his extensive collection of Atlantic salmon angling literature to Lafayette College. Conahay collected over 300 books on angling from Great Britain, Norway, France, Spain, and North America, and includes such classics as The Salmon Fly (1895) by George M. Kelson and Leaping Silver (1940) by Lee Wulff. Other printed materials in the collection include maps, art prints, and a complete run from 1910-1970 of the English journal, Salmon and Trout. Conahay also donated his collection of 700 hand-tied flies, representing 470 different Atlantic salmon patterns. These colorful patterns, all but about 300 of which are mounted, are tied on size 2/0 hooks with dressing materials such as golden pheasant crests, blue seal’s wool, bustard wings, black ostrich, blue and yellow macaw, and silver owl twist.

Fox Collection

The Charles K. Fox Angling Collection, which includes nearly 200 volumes, primarily documents the American development of trout fly-fishing between 1930 and 1970 with works such as A. B. Flick’s Streamside Guide to Naturals and Their Imitations (1947), Ray Bergman’s Trout (1938), and Vince Marinaro’s A Modern Dry Fly Code (1970 ed.). Known as the Dean of the LeTort, Charles K. Fox, Lafayette College Class of 1931, himself has written several books on angling, including Advanced Bait Casting, The Book of Lures, This Wonderful World of Trout, and Rising Trout. In recognition of his contributions to the work of stream conservation, Fox received a national award from the Izaak Walton League of America.