liverpool 7ft fly rod

Question

fly rod   QUESTION: Hi Joe

I recently aquired this rod from a relative.  It is on beautiful condition and is of interest only for its workmanship as I am a non fly fisher.
I would be intrigued to find out a little more about its history and value.

The rod is a 7ft bamboo split cane fly rod with 6 eyelets, cork handle and aluminium reel clamp.  The rod is decorated at regular intervals all along its length, and the eyelets are bound in dark red thread.
The rod is signed near the stock  (some letters are smudged)with
what looks like:-

"Palo? SA Jonham's of Liverpool 7ft.  The J could be a letter T

Thanks Darren


ANSWER: Hi Darren,

A very nice looking rod.  Could you answer some questions for me, please?

Is SA Jonhams (or Tonhams) now or has it been a retail department store, sporting goods store or any sort of retail outlet in Liverpool?

Are the smudged letters part of the "Palo?" inscription?  If so, could the inscription possibly read Palakona?

Are there any other markings or engraving on the rod?

Do you have a rod bag and rod tube for this one?  If so, are there any markings on those items?

Thanks,  Joe

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Joe,
Thanks for your reply, in answer to your questions:-

1.  I have not been able to trace anywhere in Liverpool that bears this name, I am still searching the internet for this info.

2.  Regarding the smudged letter of the 'Palo' insciption, it is the final letter after the 'o' that I cannot distinguish.

The lettering on the rod is set out as below including line spacing, punctuation and capital letters.

"palo?"  (unsure of last letter)
SA.  (possibly 5A.)
"Jonham's"  (possibly "Tonham's")
of
Liverpool.
7ft.

3.  There are no other markings on the rod.

4.  I do have a green cloth rod bag that came with the rod, this does look in keeping with the rod, however it does not carry any identification marks on it.

Thanks Darren

Answer
Hi Darren,

Thanks for the information.  Well, it's not a Hardy.

Is there any chance it is a Forshaws of Liverpool rod?  Could the script be hard enought o read that it looks like Tonhams but is really Forshaws?

Forshaws of Liverpool is a company that sells, or sold, bamboo rods.  I do not have any data on values for their rods, but you can find them on the UK version of the online auctions.

I'm running out of ideas if we're not getting close.  It may be an individual who made rods in his home or a small shop if it is not one of the major brand names.  It may also be a rod made for a small retail outlet by one of the rod making companies and labelled with the name of the retailer.

If the rod is full length at 7 feet, it will have a higher value than a longer rod.  The short ones always tend to be evaluated higher.

Assuming it is an older rod, the intermediate wraps are more than simply decoration.  In earlier times the glues available were not as durable as those we have today.  The intermediate wraps actually serve the purpose of reinforcing the glues to help hold the six strips of bamboo together.

It sounds like a very nice rod and it probably has a decent value to it.  maybe it's time for you take up fly fishing?

Thanks,  Joe