Burton Spiller

[Bill Bolyard]

Does anyone know where Burton Spiller Lived?

Bill

[Carl Beers]

Okay, we give up Bill,....where did he live? Are you building any gun display racks yet? Should I send you a Purchase Order to make it official? Carl Beers

P.S. My wife and I absolutely love your dog pictures. She agreed this morning that we probably need to get a pup since Dixie will soon be five.

[Bill Bolyard]

Carl,

I just finished redoing the camp, and yes I am working on your 2 racks. I do not know where Spiller lived. Must have been somewhere in the east. I figured dean would know.

Bill

[E Robert Fabian]

Burt lived in East Rochester NH, as a kid he lived in Wells Maine I believe.

[Dean Romig]

Bob is correct on both locations. He worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and in his spare time when he wasn't grouse hunting he made violins and raised prize-winning gladioli, even developing his own strains.

[E Robert Fabian]

What year did Burt die? I think it was in the 70's

[Dean Romig]

I had the immeasurable pleasure of shooting "Burt's Gun" at the Vintager's not even two weeks ago - a 20 ga. V grade with a single trigger. The original pad is still on the gun and is surprisingly still quite pliant. This little gun fit me like it was an extension of my body and my mind. I usually score about 50% on any sporting clays course but the day I shot this little Parker I shot 70%! I was thrilled and can't thank Morris enough for entrusting his pride and joy to me. Now I know why Burt Spiller rarely missed a pa'tridge.

[Dean Romig]

1976 as I recall.

[Bill Bolyard]

Did Burton live in the city or on a farm?

Bill

[Bill Bolyard]

Dean,

Which of his books is this the forward in?

Bill

[Dean Romig]

He didn't live in the city but didn't live on a farm either. He lived in a "farm style house" in a neighborhood in East Rochester, NH.

The "To That Vast Multitude of Scattergun Enthusiasts . . ." is in the front of Grouse Feathers published by Derrydale Press in 1935.
In More Grouse Feathers (Derrydale, 1938) are the lines, "To Those Kindred Souls Who Have Crowned the Ruffed Grouse King This Book is Dedicated".
In Firelight (Derrydale, 1937) is this dedication - "To The Best Guide I Ever Knew - My Dad"
And in Thoroughbred (Derrydale, 1936) is the dedication - "To M. M. M."

[Bill Bolyard]

Dean,

I just purchased Firelight # 600 1937 edition The What a book!


Bill

[Dean Romig]

Firelight has some good stories. Mine is 434.

[Francis Morin]

[QUOTE=Dean Romig;5206]Firelight has some good stories. Mine is 434. Dean, did you ever "recover" the book you bought at the Vintagers- "Bare November Days"?? IMO the books by Burton Lowell Spiller that may be the scarce ones are "Partridge Shortenin'" and "Fishin' Around", just as with Michigan's late UP Justice/Curmudgeon/Fly Fisherman John Voelker (aka Robert Traver) "Danny and the Boys" and "Troubleshooter"--:::rolleyes:

[Dean Romig]

Hi Francis, No, I haven't yet heard from the person who is 'safekeeping' my book . . . operative word, yet.

I have "Fishin' Around" (1st ed.) and "Partridge Shortenin'" (2nd ed.) The first edition of "Partridge Shortenin'" was a run of only 100 books privately printed and is a bit pricey at around $900 - $1200. I bought a second printing (also only 100 books) at considerably less. By the way, "Partridge Shortenin'" was not a Spiller title but was written and published by his good friend and hunting friend, Gorham "Grampa Grouse" Cross.