Heddon Black Beauty Fishing Rod Value & Age Estimate

Question
My husband found a Heddon, Black Beauty, # 17-9' 2 1/2 F - H C Hor D rod in an attic of a home he was remodeling & the owner gave it to him.  It is in perfect condition & is still in the case.  It has a metal reel seat.  Wondering if you might be able to give us an approximate value & age...

Answer
Heidi,
Price Book: Antique & Collectible  Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book.

Homel gives the 8.5 #17 "Black Beauty" fly rod  with an extra tip, 3 sections a value of  $75, 165 and $300 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively. Yours is 9 foot and slight less valuable. I have sold some unused 9 ft Heddons last year for 400 but they were model 125 , a slightly more valuable rod.

Assuming "Black Beauty, # 17-9' 2 1/2 F - H C H or D" is written on the butt section;
Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook by Michael Sinclair ,gives the earliest date for your rod as 1951.

Classic & Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle: A Guide for Collectors & Anglers by A.J. Campbell gives us the end date when Heddon stopped making bamboo rods as 1958.

Luck,
Mac

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