2 edward vom hofe rods

Question
hello joe,
i have recently inherited a pair of matching edward vom hofe fishing rods. both are missing their butts. they are both made of greenheart i think? and are approx 6ft long they have double bell guides of which the biggest is also marked edw vom hofe ny. the tops are are orange agate tulip tips both perfect condition.i have been told the that the metal is most probably german silver and they are marked EDW VOM HOFE A MAKERS NY.i cant find out alot about them and was wondering how old they are? if they had any value and are they worth hanging on to? they are both perfect except the  missing butt ends.i would be grateful for any information about them. if you would like a photo i could send them to you. thank you for your time
kindest regards
jeanette

Answer
Hi Jeanette,

According to my A.J Campbell book Edward vom Hofe started his rod building business in 1867 and sold it in 1939 to M&H Sporting Goods.  His company made rods from bamooo, Greenheart, Lancewood and Hickory.  All rods were hand made to exacting standards and all work was supervised by Edward himself.  His fly rods are rare, his boat rods are more common, but still rare.

My rod value book by Homel indicates four possible rods that could fit your description.  A bait rod at 5-1/2 feet with detachable handle (ca. 1910); a deep sea trolling rod at 5 feet with 18 inch rattan grip (ca. 1885); a Greenheart wood boat rod at 6 feet with dual agate guides (no time specified); and, a Hickory wood ocean rod at 5-1/2 feet (ca. 1900).

I suspect your guess about the Greenheart wood is probably correct and you have two examples of the third type.  I would guess they were made between 100 and 120 years ago.  These rods in mint condition would be valued over $400 each; in good condition over $250 each; and, in poor condition over $100 each.  Since you do not have the butt sections any value would be between you and a potential buyer to establish.

The metal is german silver (nickel over brass) and the bell guides are probably hand made, perhaps in the vom Hofe shop.  You need to find out if it is possible to locate the butt sections.  If you can find them, you will have a nice pair of rare rods.

Failing that, you might find some more modern butt sections that fit close enough to allow you to fish with the rods.  Also, you might find a collector who has a complete rod, but your rod shafts are in much better condition and you might have a buyer for the shafts.

If you want to keep them, you might also find a local rod builder who can fashion new butt sections for you.  They won't be original and may not even match the originals, but would allow you to fish the rods.

Thanks,  Joe