Fox Collectors

Here are some pics of a very cool and early (circa 1907) 3-PC set. The second edition of the green/gold foil, pocket catalog (pre-Campfire) with the accompanying letter and envelope. A dear friend of mine allowed me to purchase this as he knew I was a hopeless Fox addict. Correct me if I'm wrong but I have not seen many of this version? Some interesting take aways:

First....you gotta love the verbiage!!! " We have your valued favor of recent date....." Hell, you had me at "valued favor", Connor!!!

Next, check out the date on the letter and the postmark when it left "Nicetown Station". Kudos to the efficiency of the Fox sales admin. dept. !!!
Then the post-script, directing Mr. Chapman to his closest dealer. All so much more tangible than an app. on an I=Phone, wouldn't you say??

Now.....wouldn't it be killer to match the name on a production card, (a month or two or three, after) with the name on one of these catalog requests??Afterall, the point is PURCHASE, correct??? That would be a terrific find!!! Me thinks, dear Mr. Chapman was knee-deep in "pats" @ 1908 in Ludlow, VT, now the home of Okemo Mtn. Resort. Of course, if ol' George was looking for a sweet-swingin' small bore Fox, he would have a few years to wait!!

Interestingly enough, included with this set was an original hang-tag for a 26" , 20b A-grade....just the medicine he would have needed??
Hey....wait a minute.....you don't think.......??????????? Enjoy the ride----------TOOL

Very Nice! It was a different world back then!

You were right!!!!!! WOW....

I went through TOOLMAN's catalogue page by page several years ago, and they are exactly the same as the 1907 "Campfire" catalogue, only smaller. The earliest of "The Finest Gun in the World" catalogues only showed the A-, B-, and C-grades and mentioned the D- and F-Grades. It showed the C-Grade with the banner on the sides of the frame and the very early style B-Grade with the minimal engraving. Also, it carried the Wayne & Bristol Streets address for the A.H. Fox Gun Co. I've got a photocopy of a photocopy, but have never had a real one in my hands.

What I believe to be the second catalogue issued showed the A-, B-, C-, and D-grades and discussed the F-Grade. It shows the C-Grade with the oval and birds on the sides of the frame, but still the minimal engraving B-Grade --



This catalogue gives the address as Philadelphia, PA several places and on the back of the order blank gives "18th Street and Windrim Avenue." And, doesn't have nearly as many "Not connected with Philadelphia Arms Co." notes as the earlier catalogue.

Tom Kidd mentioned in an early issue of The Double Gun Journal, that A.H. Fox Gun Co. continued to use these "The Finest Gun in the World" catalogues along with the "Campfire" catalogues up through at least 1910. Also, A.H. Fox Gun Co. had a cheaper version of "The Finest Gun in the World" catalogue printed up with a plain cover in black and white --

Researcher:
Did youy mean to say the last picture is a photograph of an actual black/white later version. I know they exist,
but I've never even seen a picture of one ! Ed