A fellow I respect for his knowledge about old reels has told me that Penn had a factory in CA many years ago. He believes there were Penn reels that said; made in California on them! I think he said in Buena Vista, however I have not been able to find any confirmation of Penn reels being made in CA. The closest thing I find is a company that distributed a large portion of Penn reels made in PA, early on, in LA.
Has anyone ever heard of Penn making reels in CA in the good old days?
Penn vintage reels made in CA?
Yes, it would be interesting, that's why I asked. Penn's website history mentions the early involvement of the W.H. Hoegee Co. in LA, but only as distributor of 6% of PA output. However, they say sales "built" to that level, perhaps somebody seized on a misreading of that comment?
Is Herbert Henze a member or frequent contributor here?
I've also heard that there is a Penn 'bible' laying out the history of Penn reels, this is in stark contrast to other comments that; its amazing that nobody has ever put together such a book.
ORCA members with collections of back issues might have the best Penn history. Not privy to the archives, I must presume the question of Penns being made in CA has never been addressed.
Is Herbert Henze a member or frequent contributor here?
I've also heard that there is a Penn 'bible' laying out the history of Penn reels, this is in stark contrast to other comments that; its amazing that nobody has ever put together such a book.
ORCA members with collections of back issues might have the best Penn history. Not privy to the archives, I must presume the question of Penns being made in CA has never been addressed.
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Reel Geezer
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I know nothing about Penn, but would say that it is far more likely now that a reel MARKED "Made in California" will appear on eBay than before this subject was brought up.
Get out the metal stamps.
It seems more significant that one has not been found by this time by Bruce Davis, Mike Cass, Gary Quick, Lauri Bingham or our Australian collector and other long time Penn researchers and collectors. I'd now be very leery of a reel marked Made in California.
Get out the metal stamps.
It seems more significant that one has not been found by this time by Bruce Davis, Mike Cass, Gary Quick, Lauri Bingham or our Australian collector and other long time Penn researchers and collectors. I'd now be very leery of a reel marked Made in California.
Herbert Henze is one of Penn founders, Otto and Martha Henze's, sons. He and his wife were our guests at the recent ORCA National in NY, courtesy of Laurie Bingham's efforts - Thank you, Laurie!
You should have seen the STUFF that Herb brought to show all of us there!
FYI, you'd be surprised at the amount of information that appears in the 2005 Penn catalog which originated from research done by other ORCA members. Many of them mentioned in another thread worked with former CEO Kevin Martin, who happens to be an ORCA member also.
You should have seen the STUFF that Herb brought to show all of us there!
FYI, you'd be surprised at the amount of information that appears in the 2005 Penn catalog which originated from research done by other ORCA members. Many of them mentioned in another thread worked with former CEO Kevin Martin, who happens to be an ORCA member also.