heddon black beauty

Question
what is the approx. value of a Heddon Black Beauty #17 8.5 ft. 3 piece fly rod with extra tip section, vintage split bamboo fly rod, name and model and length written on flats. with original black cloth case and original alum. tube. all in excellent condition. alum.tube has half dozen scratches in paint, label is intact

Answer
Jack,
Forgive me but almost everyone who emails or asks on all experts, tells me their rod is in excellent condition. And some small portion are actually right.

If Heddon is written across the flats than the dates are 1939 to 1950 , if the model name and Heddon  is written on the flats then it is 1951 or greater.

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

Homel gives the Heddon 8.5'  model 17 "Black Beauty" fly rod  with an extra tip, 3 sections the  value of  $75, 165 and $300 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively.

History of Heddon Rod Company
http://www.macsrods.com/JamesHeddon.htm
with permission of the author  Michael Sinclair

Probably sell for at least $300. I have sold similar Heddons for more.

Luck,
Mac

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