the divine rod

Question
I have a Divine rod that has "The Divine Rod" where the reel goes. Also has D387 on very end of butt.  Not sure if bamboo or not.  Is approx. 12 1/2 feet long in four sections. Have had for many years and hoped you could please help me with any info about this beautiful rod.  Thank you very much.

Answer
Tom,
Your rod is a bamboo if it has 6 flat sides. Fred Devine was well known for his really good wood and bamboo rods.

Another important point is it a fly or casting rod? reel below or above the handle?
The length tells me it is probably a salmon, 2 handed rod, with handles both above and below the reel seat.

Classic & Antique Fly-Fishing Tackle: A Guide for Collectors & Anglers by A.J. Campbell  has several pages on the  Divine Co.

Constructing Cane Rods: Secrets of the Bamboo Fly Rod by Ray Gould  and The Technology of Fly Rods: An In-Depth Look at the Design of the Modern Fly Rod, Its History and Its Role in Fly Fishing by Don Phillips and Ernest Schwiebert; both mention Divine.

Michael Sinclair has a book on Divine. I don't own it and it is not in the Colorado Library system. He was trying to make new Devine rods and has a history at: http://newdivinerods.com/index.html

Sinclair in Bamboo Rod Restoration Handbook, tells us the D in the serial number means 1913.

Homel price book has several entries on Divine in it. The longest mentioned is 10 1/2 feet.

For dating rods, the markings and decals are very useful. Rods marked "The / Divine / Rod" on the metal reelseat are pre World War I. From 1916 to 1926, the rods had only the serial number on the reelseat, and a rectangular decal was placed at an angle on the rod shaft above the hookkeeper wrap. This decal was very simple with bold block style lettering in black on a white background. From late 1926 until 1928, the decal was the same, but the lettering was script style. In 1928 the fancy decal came into use on the higher grades and the plain decal was used on the lowest grade, the Pathfinder. The fancy decal is gold foil, with the border and script lettering in black. The Pathfinder decal is simple black block letters on white. (Sinclair)

So with he above you can confirm the date of your rod. If you want more give me a picture to [email protected] and a detailed description of the label / logos.

This rod might be worth as little as 200. I have sold several for 300. But I would need ot have more specifics and research the length to pin it down to specific value.

Luck,
Mac

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