Princess fly rod

Question
I have a Princess H-1 antique fly rod from Utica, N.y.  It came in a cloth sleeve with a label from Horrocks.  It says on the sleeve Princess 71/2 ft. Can you tell me anything about this pole and if it is valuable?

Answer
Hi Debbie,

The Princess model was made from the 1930s to the 1940s.  It is one of four two piece rods made by H-I and is of somewhat lesser quality than the Queen or the Prince; probably comparable to the Pocono model (although the Pocono had only one tip section).  It sold new for around $8.00; a little less or more depending on exactly when it was made.

This was a rod more or less at the middle of the H-I lineup.  It is a reasonable quality rod and should fish well.  The shorter bamboo rods always are in greater demand than the longer rods among collectors and fishermen, and typically command higher prices.  Having the original cloth sleeve is a plus.  Assuming all sections of the rod are full length and there are no breaks, splits or missing components, the rod should rate at least in the Good-very Good range for condition.

Value depends on condition.  In Poor-Fair condition $40-$60, in Good-Very Good condition $100-$125, and in Excellent-Mint codition $175-$200.

These short H-I rods make nice samll stream rods and are certainly affordable in comparison to modern fly rods.  I have one the Pocono models and it is a "no frills" rod, but fishes well.

Thanks,  Joe