So I’ve just finished cleaning and restoring an early Edward Vom Hofe fly reel this month. This particular reel is from the pre 1908 period as there’s no serial number and is marked just with the size 2 on the bottom of the reel foot.
This reel is the 355 model and is generally referred to as the “Peerless”, first called that according to Ted Bingham, the amazing author of “The Celebrated Reels of Edward Vom Hofe” in EVH company’s 1911 catalog. The first mention of the 355 is in the earliest known 1889 EVH catalog.
After speaking with different reel restorers and collectors, the best estimates are that this reel was made sometime between 1889-1907. It does not have the 1896 universal or automatic tension drag and is likely at the earlier end of that date range. Outside of just a lot of age wear and dirt, the reel had some deep scratches in its hard rubber and nickel silver as well as a ding in the reel foot. Many hours later, it’s back to what I believe it would have looked like when it was first made.
With your help, I have recorded over 490 examples of EVH serial numbered reels for the Edward Vom Hofe Reel Production Research Study Project I started earlier this spring but I’m looking for more!! I would like to get to 1000 EVH reels recorded for this project.
What I’m looking for is the serial number, model number and size of any Edward Vom Hofe reel you have or had for this study. By compiling and studying the data, I believe accurate estimates of yearly production numbers of each model can be made and a better understanding of how, when and how many reels were produced by the Edward Vom Hofe and his company during the 1908-1950 period.
Please write or PM me if you like. Photos are great but not essential. Results will be summarized here on this page later this year and in an article submitted to the Old Reel Collectors Association for review.
Stay safe!
Scott
