What's the rarest Penn model ever made?

[RowdyW]

Gee, I once had a lefty 349h but I traded it for a black plated 500 jigmaster. Now who did I trade with ?                          Rudy

[Tightlines667]

I'll add another to the mix. A 1st generation 9/0 with outside access drags.

 I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the reel boxes. Many are far more valuable than the reel and much more difficult to find.

 -Ted

How about a 9/0 with Red Side plates?!

http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=12546.0

[Keta]

Gee, I once had a lefty 349h but I traded it for a black plated 500 jigmaster. Now who did I trade with ?                          Rudy

[Alto Mare]

I'm just curious as to the rarest Penn ever made is?



PJ

Not sure PJ, I'm still looking for one
Sal

[Penn Chronology]

There is an old Penn pre-war reel that is a really difficult find. Show me a mint Model 170 in the original box and I will be very impressed.

[[[[[Now watch Sid come up with one tomorrow]]]]].......................................<:O)

[sdlehr]

There is an old Penn pre-war reel that is a really difficult find. Show me a mint Model 170 in the original box and I will be very impressed.

[[[[[Now watch Sid come up with one tomorrow]]]]].......................................<:O)

I don't have the box, but the last time Mike talked about the 170 I won an auction for one the same or the next day. It came from Portugal, as I recall, but not with a box....

[Penn Chronology]

I don't have the box, but the last time Mike talked about the 170 I won an auction for one the same or the next day. It came from Portugal, as I recall, but not with a box.... Smiley

I remembered that and was hoping you could do it again but this time find the box............. .......................I have been trying to buy a Model 170 original box for many years. I do not remember ever having the opportunity?

Hey Ray, Can you remember if we ever came across a Penn 170 box? Those are tough!

[Superhook]

Hello Mike,

Seen quite a few #170's in the last 10 years but never seen a #170 box.

That'd be a bidding war to remember.

Ray

PS . There are a few more boxes as rare as the #170, like the 151, 156 and 201. Funny that they all never had star drags.

[Penn Chronology]

There are a few more boxes as rare as the #170, like the 151, 156 and 201. Funny that they all never had star drags.

I guess during the Depression, boxes were not a priority or they were repurposed for something else. This is why we collect. When a determination has been made about a new rarity, a new avenue of quests opens.

I wonder if someone like Fred Oakes, who has a massive amount of finely categorized parts, has one of these boxes in his mix of stuff? New items for my Bucket List!

[foakes]

Sorry, Mike --

Not many old Penn boxes.

I have never really collected reels -- just for myself -- not for pristine type displays, like most of you guys.

I am just a typical reel mechanic who buys, sells, trades, gives away, and tries to work on a few reels from time to time -- as a hobby.

Seems like the more reels and NOS parts I try to get rid of -- the more the remaining stuff multiplies.

I have a few 30 gallon trash bags of reel boxes -- but I am sure nothing of any value.

If I ever find one -- I will just send it East to you, N/C -- my eyes will be open, and it isn't something I would want to keep when someone like you could use it.

Best,

Fred

[Penn Chronology]

Seems like the more reels and NOS parts I try to get rid of -- the more the remaining stuff multiplies.

That's interesting. Are your reels mating?

[foakes]

Seems like the more reels and NOS parts I try to get rid of -- the more the remaining stuff multiplies.

That's interesting. Are your reels mating?

Could be Mike --

We have a company here in California, called See's Candy...

This is my wife's favorite -- for special occasions such as Christmas or Easter.

However, a few years ago, I gave her a 2 pound box of her favorite flavors for Christmas -- and she said that she would only have one a day -- until they were gone -- to pace herself -- and to practice moderation.

She didn't know that I also purchased a couple of one pound boxes -- and every few days I would seed a few back into her box when she wasn't looking.  

She never questioned how 50 candies could last until the middle of April -- she just was amazed and happy that they did.

We still laugh about that one --

That is just like me with reels -- never count them, just keeping getting more than I trade, sell, or give away.

See's always gives you a free sample, as soon as you walk into the store -- so since the Batteries Plus store just went in next door to See's Candy -- we now always have plenty of batteries on hand.

And I don't ask any questions!

Best,

Fred

[Bill B]

Fred, now that's funny about "seeding" the box.  When I travel, which will shortly come to an end with my transfer back to SoCal   , I would stop off at the airport shops and bring my wife a box of See's Candy.....Now if I can find a See's next to a fishing shop I'd be in serious trouble       Bill

[Penn Chronology]

That's funny about the candy seeding. If someone were doing that to me I would begin to think I had a Magic Candy Box.   I might keep it a secret hoping that the magic replenishment of candy would go on forever.

I sort of have the same problem with my collectibles. I keep telling myself, ""Enough""----""Stop Already!"" and then I see what I feel is a deal. So I tell myself, ""Just One More"" or I see a reel I feel I could resell and make a profit; but, I never resell it. Then there are the reels I get attached to. Like the vom Hofe models or a Kovalovsky. I have a letter written by Zane Grey to Arthur Kovalovsky on a sheet of Zane's personal paper with the letterhead showing his boat. The entire letter is written in Purple ink, which was Zane's trademark. I am the custodian of that piece until I don't know when.

Then there are the cradle reels and the big game stuff and the historic stuff and the sort of, kind of, maybe it is special stuff or the I have never seen one of those before stuff. I actually have an entire series of reasons to own something (none of which is, "need") and much fewer reasons to sell that same item.

I have a convoluted way of justifying my clutter. I have a friend that is a hoarder. He has one of everything on Earth and lives an extremely cluttered life. When I want to feel like I really do not overdo my collection of stuff or that I am not totally mad, I invite him to my house. He always has the same remark, he tells me that I have nothing. I have not even begun to approach "Full Up"". I still have empty spaces in my house! That always makes me better. Sort of like I am almost "Normal".  

[coastal_dan]

I like that Mike.  To me, it seems, that it comes down to one simple fact...if you enjoy it and it makes you happy (and doesn't drive the wife away) then by all means continue.  What would you do with the space/money otherwise?  Pick up another hobby?

I truly found that fishing/reel collecting has set me on a different path than I would have been on had I not gotten involved with them; they have molded me into who I am today.  (Kind of a 'Duh' statement, but think about it for a second...).  We have met some amazing individuals along the way and I always get excited about the ability to meet new 'reel' friends.

All of us love the hunt as well, finding that deal...or picking up that rare item.  (Like whoever just bought the red handled King-Fisher for 39.99 BIN...you lucky dog you  ). 

Hey...it beats the other things you could get addicted to and waste time/ money on...