Lot 1 email save

Edward Vom Hofe Perfection Size 3 1/2 Trout Reel

Sign In to see what this sold for

Scarce "Edward Vom Hofe, Maker, Fulton St., N.Y." Marked Perfection Model 360 Size 3 1/2 Hand Made German Silver and Hard Rubber Trout Reel. A small 2 1/4" diameter, 13/16" wide spool example of Edward Vom Hofe's premier trout and bass reel, fitted with an under the handle drag with arrow pointer (very weak drag), tail plate mounted click and tiny 7/16" diameter sliding oil port. The foot is marked with serial number "H440", as well as the size 3 1/2 and model, 360. What sets this reel apart is the personalized hard rubber face plate, declaring this as once owned by George Eastman (1854-1921), founder of the Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, NY. A philanthropist, Eastman was dedicated to providing support for institutions such as MIT, the Tuskegee Institute and University of Rochester, as well as numerous others. Accompanied by a personalized leather reel case (old strap repairs) bearing his initials, "G.E.", this excellent cosmetic, very good mechanical condition reel will enhance any early fly reel collection.

Lang's is privileged to offer items owned by the late author Martin J. Keane. This is one of 309 lots which encompass not only Keane's personal fishing tackle, but moreover the inventory for his upcoming catalogs. Equally important to his lists of quality antique and collectible tackle, was the foundation for collecting that Keane was paramount in creating. His devotion to fine bamboo rods would translate into print when in 1976 he published the landmark volume Classic Rods and Rodmakers. Keane's book exposed a wealth of previously unknown information on many of the greatest rod makers in history. Makers such as Payne, Edwards, Gillum, Garrison and Powell were placed in the well deserved limelight. Detailed aspects of each maker's rods were complimented with personal information and developments on each of their unique styles. Classic Rods and Rodmakers remains a benchmark reference that will continue to inspire rod collectors and fly fishing enthusiasts for decades to come. While tackle collecting was still in its infancy, Keane began to develop a mailed list of for sale tackle items that grew exponentially over the 30 plus years of its distribution. Many collectors can still recall the thrill of receiving a Marty Keane list, filled with exceptional quality rods, reels and flies, and trying to be the first to acquire one of the many outstanding items therein. It can be said that Keane was responsible for the contents of many of the most important rod and fly fishing collections built over the last few decades in this country. In addition to being a highly respected author, collector, and revered tackle broker, Keane worked diligently as a staff member for the Museum of American Fly Fishing. At all times, ready and willing to share, teach, and encourage anyone who showed an interest in fly fishing, the art of rod building or collecting, especially if it involved antique fly fishing accessories of any kind. While his peers mourn the passing of a true gentleman, Marty Keane will live on forever in the annals of fishing tackle collecting and rod appreciation, not only in published reference, but as a pioneer in the field he cherished.

View Lang's Auction next auction.

Similar lots up for auction