Question I have a old classic rod that has never been used , it was given to me when my uncle passed, he had it for a very long time. The name on the rod is De Bell and it has a autograped signature on it that is hard to read. The rod is bambo and is 9 feet long , 4 pieces (1 piece is a extra rod tip) there is no size wt. for the rod. It doesn't have a single scratch on it. Could you help me with some info or send me in the right direction?
THANKS!
AnswerWalter,
Fred De Bell inherited / bought numerous Phillipson and Wright & McGill rods and components. He made rods from 1945 to the 70s under his name. He worked for other rod companies before that. Your rod is probably from one or both of those two makers . Bill Phillipson used resorcinol glue which made blue purplish line at the joints. Bill also used blank script ink to id model , length and line weight on two flats above the handle. But so did Wright & McGill use script .
Ricks Rods in Denver now has De Bells materials.
Some prices for De Bell rods can be found at
http://www.ricksrods.com/tackle.html
http://vfish.net/rodsforsale1.htm
Allot of my information comes from 2 books available at local libraries :
Antique & Collectable Fishing Rods: Identification & Value Guide Homel, Dan. 1997
Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook -Michael Sinclair ( good info on old rods , too)
and for history :
Colorado Classic Cane Dick Spurr and Michael Sinclair
You could have a great rod but it takes a very knowledgeable collector to realize it's value so the market for this rod is very small.
Send pictures if you want to
[email protected] for a better evaluation.
Good Luck
Mac