I had written the reel off in my mind thinking I would never see it again.
Yesterday the same guy walks back in with it. I gave him the info I had from this board, and from folks who e-mailed me, told him what I had been told it likely was worth. He asked me what I would give, and I had to tell him I could not pay much since my business was down and I had purchased some items for my collection over the last few days.
He again asked what I could afford to give, and I once again told him I could not afford to pay what it was worth. He then said I was the only person who had been honest with him about the age, and value of the reel, and that another collector had offered him more, but had understated the age and value.
So he said "You deserve to have it." So I paid him what I could for the reel, well under what it probably was worth.
So it is now in my collection, with the exception of a few English reels, and one other American reel, one of the oldest reels in my collection.
