Question
rod handle 
decal
Hello Rich,
I have a vintage Abbey&Ambrie fly rod was hoping I could get some information on. I'm looking to find out how old the fly rod might be or approximate age as well as the current value. If you are not the right person that can supply this info could you tell me who might. I have provided 2 images and have more if you need them.
Things that I do know about the rod:
fly or casting rod? fly rod
Reel seat is below or above the cork handle? below the reel seat.
Check metal for id and patents? nothing found on rod
What is it made of; bamboo ( flat sided) fiberglass or graphite ( round)? I think it is bamboo, definitely some kind of wood
Weight in oz? unknown, very light. tip size is smaller that a #4
What is the diameter of the rod above the cork? 7/16
Where was it purchased? given to me several years ago.
What type of metal nickel-silver, tin, or chrome platted brass? possibly tin, not sure maybe tin.
Please feel free to email with any questions and thanks in advance for your help.
Andy
AnswerAbbey & Imbrie is a name that takes tackle collectors all the way back to shortly after the Civil War. In 1875 L. H. Abbey and C. F. Imbrie merged with the Andrew Clerk & Company, to become Abbey & Imbrie. Andrew Clerk had been in the fishing tackle business since 1820, stayed on for a while and then retired. The A & I famous crossed fishhook Trademark was granted in 1877, and early products usually show this trademark. The gold fish that hung over their door for forty years was a very famous landmark for anglers in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Abbey & Imbrie probably didn't manufacture anything. However, they contracted with some of the better manufacturers to have a full line of fishing products available for customers at their retail store in New York City, and through their mail order catalogs. The reels of Julius vom Hofe, A.F. Meisselbach and probably many other makers were stamped with their name. Lures were manufactured for A&I by Heddon, as well as several others. They had their first rods built by Hiram Leonard, but later rods were manufactured by several different makers. All of this high quality tackle was wholesaled to dealers throughout the east, as well as retailed directly to fishermen.
Abbey & Imbrie was purchased by Horrock's-Ibbotson in the 1930s
Your model is not in my books:
Antique & Collectible Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997 (2nd edition 2000) add about 30% for age of book.
Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook by Michael Sinclair
Classic & Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle: A Guide for Collectors & Anglers by A.J. Campbell
Fishing Tackle: A Collector's Guide Hardcover, 1991 Graham Turner
Homel gives the average value for several Abbey & Imbrie rods as $43.33, 131.67, and 234.44 for poor, good, excellent condition respectively.
Good Luck
Mac
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