HEDDON Catalog Listings, 1924-56 w/Ferrule & Fly Rod Charts

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wrong66
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#21

Post by wrong66 »

The 1941 Heddon catalog. A few cosmetic changes are about the only changes from the 1940 edition.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#22

Post by wrong66 »

Heddon's 1942-1943 catalog. Virtually the same as 1941. This would be Heddon's last deluxe catalog for six years due to war. Once again, the No.14 and No.20 were part of a full two-page listing, shown below. In the first photo, the two stickers that were applied to the catalog's front cover sum up the sobering reality of the time.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#23

Post by wrong66 »

The 1946 Heddon catalog. The only known Heddon fly rod listings for 1946 were in the form of a very abbreviated catalog, outlining scheduled production for items that would be available by January 1946. These were likely sent out shortly after the war ended in September of 1945. Heddon literally had nothing to sell following the war and it would take years to completely re-tool the factory for fishing tackle production. Heddon's first post-war deluxe catalog would still be 3 years away.
*Note* Since first posting this, I have obtained the original catalogs for 1946 and 1947, both of which are quite rare. Below are the listings from the 1946 issue, which you'll notice were only the higher grade models (No.17 and up), as all the lower and mid-grade rods had sold out during the war.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#24

Post by wrong66 »

The 1947 Heddon catalog. Same abbreviated catalog, showing the production schedule for 1947, but now offering most of the high and low-grade models again. These listings are from the rare original catalog, which I recently acquired. Although not shown here, the No.2030 "Pal" steel fly rod returns, with a mind-numbing price of $48.50. Neither the No.13 "Lucky Angler" or the No.60 "Deluxe" would survive the war.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#25

Post by wrong66 »

The 1948 Heddon catalog. Almost the same as the abbreviated 1947 catalog. Lists the return of the No.19, this time known as the "Riptide" and for the first time since the war ended offers ALL grades of fly rods.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#26

Post by wrong66 »

Heddon's 1949 catalog. Their first "deluxe" catalog since the beginning of WWII.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#27

Post by wrong66 »

The 1950 Heddon catalog. The 1950 catalog is EXACTLY the same as the 1949 catalog. No need to reproduce it. Last year for the No.2030 steel rod.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#28

Post by wrong66 »

The 1951 Heddon catalog. The No.8 "Heddon Fly Rod" makes it's first appearance and would be the last new bamboo fly rod model introduced by James Heddon's Sons. With the exception of the No.1000, prices increase on all fly rod models.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#29

Post by wrong66 »

The 1952 Heddon catalog. Very similar to the 1951 issue. 1952 was the "last hurrah" for Heddon bamboo rod production, as the Korean War Trade Embargo with China was finally taking it's toll. With dwindling supplies of Tonkin cane on hand and no way to replenish stock, the writing was on the wall. This would be the last year that all bamboo models would be available in their catalog.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#30

Post by wrong66 »

The 1953 Heddon catalog. With dwindling stocks of Tonkin cane, Heddon has already discontinued the bottom three lower-grade models (the No.8, No.10 and No.14). These would have sold-out early.

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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#31

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The 1954 Heddon catalog. Heddon is now down to just four models....and a single page, all the way back to page 44. I don't know if these were still being built, or if the catalogs were simply offering what was still on hand.
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#32

Post by wrong66 »

The 1955 and 1956 Heddon catalogs. Bamboo rods are now just a footnote in the back of the catalogs, buried beneath Heddon's ever-increasing lines of fiberglass rods, with only a few models left in stock. No photos were shown. In the 1956 catalog is the final mention of bamboo fly rods. It states "We still have available a limited stock of Heddon's famous custom made, tempered, split bamboo fly rods, containing the finest grade of Tonkin cane. When these are gone, there will be no more." See original 1956 listing below. Notice the No.50 "President" is erroneously listed as the No.75.
Almost 50 years of bamboo rod production was now history.
I hope these catalog listings help someone as much as they've helped me over the years.
Please note that I also have the complete catalog listings for all Heddon bait casting rods, in bamboo, steel and fiberglass, from 1909 to about 1982. Even a few listings for their later graphite models. Feel free to PM me for information, any time.
Click on photo to enlarge....
Mark
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1955

#33

Post by Flykuni3 »

Amazing post, many thanks -- I am touched by the labels on the WW II-era catalog. My family was deeply affected by all that went on in WW II, here in the States (they were interned, though citizens) and abroad -- our hero uncle Ted joined up, left the camp's barbed wire behind, joined up with the Go For Broke boys, the 442nd RCT, and was killed in action in France. Pardon me, I am always moved when the matters of WW II are discussed. Here's a sidebar you might find interesting, involving the war and Heddon bamboo fly rods:

In Seattle there is a restored historic hotel called the Panama Hotel. It was the place for Japanese men to stay, also take a nice ofuro, hot, soaking Japanese bath (it's still there, and amazing to see). But it is what is under the floors of the old hotel that is astounding.

Folks were rousted from the Coast by Executive Order 9066, and had two days notice to close matters, sell off what they could, shutter homes and businesses, leave pets behind. Terrible time. You were told to take would you could carry in two hands.

Many of the 'evacuees' had stuff to store, and about 40 families put packages, steamer trunks and whatnot in the Panama's basement. I had the opportunity to go into the basement. It was a step back into history for me and my group. And I spied a fly rod tube. I went to it.

It was a familiar Heddon tube, screw top we all know. Seemed in good shape. I unscrewed the lid and withdrew the rod. It was a #14 Thoroughbred, 8 1/2' and it was in fine shape, stored for decades and perhaps not taken out since the owner had left it in March of 1942. As I recall the rod seemed mint and probably was unfished. And never claimed after the war. Most of the materials there -- wedding dresses, photo albums, graduation certificates, chinaware, toys -- were never claimed.

It all remains there today in the basement of the old Panama. You can view the collection through a Plexiglass window in the floor of the hotel.

I wonder who that fisherman was, the man or youth who never got the chance to fish his Heddon. There were circumstances afoot far out of his control. And, it seems, the fisherman never returned to claim his Heddon.

wrong66
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#34

Post by wrong66 »

Thanks for adding this. Cool story on the Heddon, but really sad, too.
Mark
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1955

#35

Post by Flykuni3 »

Panama Hotel's collection is the basis of the fine novel, "Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet."

wrong66
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#36

Post by wrong66 »

This ad from the 1952 Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog has eluded me for 14 years. Finally, we can see the original listings for the Heddon No.125 "Expert" and No.115 "Premier" fly rods that were sold exclusively through Sears from 1947 to 1952. It also shows the No.25 and No.15 bait casting rods. Looks like the final Christmas "giveaway" for these "discontinued" models.
Mark
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1955

#37

Post by PaducahMichael »

Mark, Thanks very, very much for that Sears ad!

I've been searching for it too - and I'm very happy to see it. Now we know that the 115 had silver wraps with black tipping - the same as the first model Presidents! Great piece of information.

I'm amazed to see that the ferrules and guides were 24k gold plated. I knew they were gold-colored - but didn't think they would use real gold plate. Another vital piece of the Heddon puzzle.

Great Work!
Bamboo Rod Restoration Service : http://www.caneclinic.com

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TroutmanSE
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HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1955

#38

Post by TroutmanSE »

I'm curious, did the Sears models all have the same action?
(the ad only states length as a choice)

/Mike

wrong66
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1956

#39

Post by wrong66 »

Mike,
They were available in different actions, much like a regular Heddon model.
Mark
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middlecalf
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Re: HEDDON Catalog Listings, Fly Rods, 1924-1955

#40

Post by middlecalf »

Does anyone know where Sinclair got his color scheme for the 115 (burgundy wraps with gold tipping)? The Sears catalog clearly lists the color scheme as silver w/ black tipping and it looks like Heddon never listed the 115 or 125 in their catalogs.
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