antique Heddon black beauty fly rod

Question
Hi, first thank you for any help you can give.  I recently was offered to purchase a marked; HEDDON BLACK BEAUTY #17-9' - 2F 'HDH' fly rod that appears in EXCELLENT Condition though I was not able to get it down from the wall (to many items in the way at present. My questions are, I noticed a price 'suggestion' for Black Beauty's but only up to 8 1/2', is this one less common %26 what do you believe is a reasonable value??
Thank you again for your help!!!!!
In HIS graces,
Richard

Answer
Hi Richard,

Actually, the 9' rods are probably more common.  Typically, the shorter bamboo fly rods are valued higher and are more rare.

A complete Heddon #17 should include four rod sections (butt, mid and two tips) plus the original bag and tube.  If you have all those pieces, and they are all in excellent condition, the rod would be valued in the $350-$450 range.  Excellent condition would include a rod that shows only minimal use, no dirt or significant wear.

If you are missing any of the pieces, the collector value would drop considerably.  If the rod has been altered in any way, other than normal maintenance, the value would also drop considerably.

If the rod shows moderate use, it may fit better into the Very Good category and you can figure on the value being more like 75% of the range for excellent.

The #17 is a pretty good example of mid-range Heddon rods and was made in the 1931-1955 time span.  It will be a good rod for bass or trout.

Thanks,  Joe