Edward Von Hofe bamboo rod

Question
Have this old rod-bamboo 6 sided rattan handle-has 3 double glass eyes top and bottom-red plus straight tip red glass eye.  It is 7 feet long.  Have never taken it apart but think the handle comes apart.  It looks like it has been nickle plated and it has Edw Vonhofe and Co. stamped on it and underneath that it says maker.  Up above reel seat it has E D Hoff (not clear) and Company, NY and down below that is the serial ? # 103E.  The pole has a little set in it not too bad.  All wrapping are tight not frayed.  I was wondering if you could give me any information on this as to value, rarity of it.  Where reel is attached it is stamped  No 6.  Thank you in advance

Answer
Hi Marvin,

My reference book on this one is a 2003 edition of D.B. Homel, Antique & Collectible Fishing Rods.  This model vom Hofe boat rod in 5 foot length is valued in Poor-Fair condition at $100; in Good-Very Good condition at $250; and in Excellent-Mint condition at $475.  Yours sounds liek it would be around the Good category in its present state.

Keep in mind two things, these values are over 6 years old and should be adjusted somewhat; and, the popularity of vintage bamboo boat rods is improving, but may not allow you to reach these values in an actual sale.  Vom Hofe made a lot of boat rods and many have survived to today due the high quality of the rods.  It was built around the turn of the century (1900 plus or minus a few years) so it is right at 100 years old.

The rattan handle and fore grip are typical of vom Hofe rods.  The guides are agate inserts, not glass.  All sections are stamped with the maker name which is good.  The hardware is called German Silver and is nickel plated brass.  The rod should come apart leaving a butt section and a tip section.  At the top of the reel seat there should be a ferrule and the tip section should slide into the butt section at this point.  Use care when trying to take the rod apart if it has not been taken down in years.  Very gentle heat from a hair dryer applied to the metal reel seat/ferrule can help loosen the ferrule.  I am not sure what the #6 designation means.  I haven't found a good source for the specific little differences in vom Hofe rods yet.

If the wraps and finish are good and the set is not too bad, you should be able to fish with the rod.  Inspect the rod shaft for splits or signs of delamination of the the bamboo strips.  If all is well, it should work fine.  I prefer fishing with bamboo rods for any application, including these old salt water boat rods.  You may want to try it out and see if you like it.  If you don't fish, it will look good hanging on the wall.

I am in the process of restoring a #4 vom Hofe at this time that is almost the same as your rod...only slightly shorter at 6'8" in length.  My client plans to fish with this one once it is restored.

Thanks,  Joe