heddon handmade split bamboo fly rod

Question
QUESTION: I have a heddon "black Beauty" #17-8'-1 1/2F H with the letter E and a name starting with h looks like heart or something. 4pc pieces mint condition w/original black cloth and black metal tube "black Beauty" written on it also. can you tell me if it is worth anything

ANSWER: Hi Bernie,

The Heddon #17 Black Beauty in 8'0" length is a desirable rod with all the sections at full length, the black bag and black tube all together. My refernece books indicate the rod, bag and tube in very good condition to be worth around $300 or so, and in excellent condition to be worth around $500 or so.  A more accurate appraisal could be done in person by someone with the expertise to value vintage rods.  If you can locate such a person near you, it would be worth your while to seek a hands on inspection and appraisal.

The coding on the rod means:

#17 - the model number for the Black Beauty series by Heddon
8'  - the rod length when assembled is 8'0"
1-1/2F  -  No. 1-1/2 ferrules indicates an extra light trout rod
HEH or F  - the line rating for the rod (5wt line in modern terms)

The rod should have the name Heddon written on it.  Perhaps this is the word you can't quite make out.  Sounds like a nice rod.

Thanks,  Joe

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Joe thanks, The name Heddon is definitely on the rod .Do  you think the name i am referring to could be sighned by the person who hand crafted the rod?

Answer
Hi Bernie,

I doubt that it was.   The #17 and down (that is down as in lower numbers) in the Heddon lineup were built in the production department in basically what amounted to an assembly line.  The #20 and up (higher numbers) were hand made rods and higher quality components and cane were used on these.  I am not aware that the individual rod maker ever signed even the high level rods at Heddon.

I have one of these and just went to look at it.  It should have writing  on three of the flats.  One says Heddon, the second says Black Beauty, and the third says #17 - 8' - 1 1/2F - HEH or F.

I assume what you are seeing is the "HEH or F" script rather than a name.  Depending upon who wrote it, it may or may not be easy to read. Originally these were all written by one person, but as production levels increased it was necessary to add to the writing staff and the writing was changed from a spiral around the blank to straight along the flats.

If it is writing other than these items, I don't have an answer.

Thanks, Joe