Rarest or most scarce JVH fly reel?

[Ray Hencken]

I thought that I would put out these questions for discussion. Which Julius vom Hofe fly reel model is the rarest or most scarce? Which is the most valuable?

Pictured from left to right are 6 possible candidates: Perforated NS/HR, Perforated blued brass, Perforated nickle plated, Earliest triangular raised pillar reverse-S handle, Round aluminum, Raised pillar aluminum #4.

[Mike N]

Ray, great lineup. If scarcity and rarity are most often aligned with auction price, it’s tough to argue with the hammer and premium of just under $12K this little beauty brought last year at Lang’s. Looks like it’s first on the left in your photo.

[RonG]

That's a nice grouping Ray. That German silver and hard rubber perforated rim fly reel has always been a crowd pleaser and consistently brings high bids. Some of Ray's other JVH reels are scarcer and harder to find, but don't get the attention like the German silver one. Now, if you have the reel and box for the nickel plated version, that combo also commands a high price.

[Ray Hencken]

I agree Ron, the others are seen less often and thus are more scarce (rare) than the perforated nickle silver hard rubber reel but usually don't command near the same price. However, each has its own distinctive appeal to the collector. I am intrigued with the many models of fly reels that Julius vom Hofe produced.

[reelsmith.]

Nice group Ray !

I think the two aluminum reels would be the scarcest. I've only seen three of the raised pillar #4.

I've only seen this JVH fly reel once ...





I'd call this one rare. I've never seen a JVH with a back plate like it.

I've always wondered if there is an all nickle silver JVH fly reel out there somewhere. Hard to imagine JVH not making one.

Dean.

[Midway Tommy D]

Too bad Ben's not still around. I bet he would have some thoughts and would more than likely know.

[RonG]

Hey Dean, that is definitely a scarce reel. The aluminum is in beautiful condition.

[john elder]

Here are two reels that i attribute to JVH, neither specifically marked as such, but showing symptoms. I have not seen examples of either one in addition to these, but consider the source:



The smaller reel on the left was made for William Mills & Son and has a frame (and handle) made of the same material used for the frame of Leonard bimetal reels (presumably bronze) and hard rubber, with hard rubber clicker button. There is no hole in the foot or size markings, so possibly not JVH(?).






The second was made for the Leo H. Peiffer Company, presumably as a gift or promotion (?) and has the characteristic hole in the foot, marked 1/0 and with caged spool.

[Ray Hencken]

With enough time on my hands I went through Oliver's and Lang's catalogs from 1990-2008. Here are the counts of the reels in question.
Perforated HR/NS -12 examples
Perforated NP Brass -2 (1 with box), 2 Blued
Al Round - 2
Al RP - 8 (two #4, six #2)
RP NS/HR reverse-S handle - 2
RP NS/HR S-handle - 0
RP NS/HR Square pillars - 3
Conroy /Wells - 5
Some of these reels may have been in the various auctions more than one time. I don’t believe that I missed any reels as I went through the many catalogs but it is possible.

[Ray Hencken]

John, The second reel is a JvH, I have a marked example. The first reel is, probably, an early JvH. His earliest reels didn't have the hole in the foot and I have seen examples of his reels with a hard rubber click button and the bearing cap looks like JvH.

[Mike N]

It seems that an unusual size (e.g., very small or very large) can also make a scarce model “rare.”

Here’s a 1-7/8” diameter JVH trout reel.

[Steve]

attribute to JVH, neither specifically marked as such, but showing symptoms

Here's a symptom on the Peiffer reel. JVH patent.

BTW, Leopold Peiffer was an engraver in Philly, so guess who engraved his name.

[john elder]

Thanks, Steve! And just had a conversation with Jim Schottenham who reminded me i had already asked him about the little bronze reel… he thinks it’s a Gayle… foot is held with posts, not screws!

[RonG]

I can't wait to see what the restoration on this guy looks like.

[reelsmith.]

Thanks, Steve! And just had a conversation with Jim Schottenham who reminded me i had already asked him about the little bronze reel… he thinks it’s a Gayle… foot is held with posts, not screws!

Interesting !

I see "Gayle" in the shape of the crank, but that's about it ...other than the click switch ...but JVH sometimes used hard rubber for that too. Also, if it is a Gayle, would it be the only known raised pillar Gayle ?

All Gayle fly reels I have seen (one with hard rubber sides, all others aluminum) are round, have figured/shouldered pillars, a fixed cap on the rear, have either a figured knob or rings in the knob (only one seen with a black knob), have a washer under the crank screw and a visible screw head on the counterbalance.

The plates on John's reel look very JVH to me ...and even the shape of the crank can be seen on JVH fly reels. Note the reel on the right below ...



Dean.

[john elder]

Well, as it has played out, my little bronze beauty would fit better over on Steve’s thread than here, even if JVH. I think the key clue that Jim points out is the use of posts to mount the foot rather than screws and if you look through all the Gayle reels on Ron’s site, you see that as a hallmark of Gayle construction. I guess the question is whether Julius ever did that?

[reelsmith.]

Well, as it has played out, my little bronze beauty would fit better over on Steve’s thread than here, even if JVH. I think the key clue that Jim points out is the use of posts to mount the foot rather than screws and if you look through all the Gayle reels on Ron’s site, you see that as a hallmark of Gayle construction. I guess the question is whether Julius ever did that?

That is key for sure. Odd for a JVH foot ...but not as odd as raised pillars for Gayle.

BTW - I don't care who made it ...I want one !

Dean.

[RonG]

+1

[Clint]

The “Wells” might fit in there somewhere.

[john elder]

Here’s one for the salty folks that i picked up from Ed P awhile back… only one I’ve seen but again, CTS….B Ocean fly reel:

[RonG]

John, What the ---- is that. I hadn't seen that one before. It's pretty cool. Does the star drag adjust? You never know what's going to show up.

[Teal]

I have a very rare JVH Tournament Surf Casting reel but no really rare JVH fly reels and my FOMO is at an all time high.

Got to find a way to talk the good Dr. Elder out of that Peiffer reel!

-- Dr. Todd

[john elder]

Ron, i’ll pop it open and get some pics… it is a 4 or 5 point drag by turning the star, but (currently?) wimpy compared to a restigouche type drag. It may just be worn.

[kyreels]

I have a very rare JVH Tournament Surf Casting reel but no really rare JVH fly reels and my FOMO is at an all time high.
-- Dr. Todd

Would love to see a pic and description of that.

[Teal]

When I get back home (stuck out east by the storm) I'll photo and put it up.

-- Dr. Todd