EW Edwards Fly Rod

Question
Hi Rich,

I have what I believe to be a rare find in classic fly rods. I will very much appreciate your opinion as to the approximate value of this very cool piece of equipment.

It is a bamboo 3pc rod with an extra tip.
It is not quite 9' in length. About 8' 8" actually.
It is beautifully signed by EW Edwards and has 'De Luxe' after the signature in gold color.
All wrappings, eyelets, and finish are original and in near perfect condition. This could be fished today.
The cork handle shows what I would call normal use.
It has the original OD green bag plus an aluminum tube that has a label showing EW Edwards at the top of the label, then Manufacured by EW Edwards & Sons - Mt. Carmel, Conn.
The rod itself does not say "& sons", just the tube.

I believe this rod is over 60 years old.
Thanks again for your service here. I look forward to reading your comments. Please include your mailing address if you email me so I can properly thank you!

George

Answer
George,
I am assuming your rod has 6 flat sides or bamboo, and that the reel seat is below the handle or fly rod. If not, nothing else I write has meaning.
Model is an "De Luxe". It was made or supervised by EW Edwards.
Not sure what "OD" on the green bag could mean.

Playing With Fire: The Life and Fly Rods of E.W. Edwards Published by White Fish Press
Patrick C. Garner
This book is not at my local or state library network. Might be in yours but I haven't checked recently as I bought the book.

He says that EW made or supervised 2200 rods in his life and 1200  of them were made at Mt Carmel with his sons. So its a good bet it was made at Mt Carmel. It doesn't mean the rod is bad or low resale value.
To completely pin this down I need more details, not blurry pictures of the writing, ferrules, handle and reel seat to [email protected]. Garner has much higher prices for the EW rods but I want to pin it down to model and year before I share those prices.

Price Book: Antique & Collectable Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 #2nd edition 2000# add about 30% for age of book

Homel gives the 9' E.W. Edwards "De Luxe" fly rod  with an extra tip, 3 sections a value of  $100, 235 and $375 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively.  

History of the Edwards rod company and family:
http://fishnbanjosplace.yuku.com/topic/5

8'8" is not something I have ever heard of from that maker,but  I have seen lots of broken tips. Are all 4 sections the same length ? They should be.

As to condition almost all who write me here at allexperts tell me their rods are in near perfect or mint condition, very few are correct.
Luck,
Mac

Please provide feedback, nominations are appreciated.