Please enlighten me about this fly collection

[the rockfish ninja]

Many years ago (approx 50yrs) I was bestowed this fly collection and wooden case when I was a more well rounded angler that still did freshwater. My waving a stick knee deep in a stream didn't last very long so it has been a collectable curio for decades.
I'm at the point where I am downsizing, liquidating, gifting, or selling some things I have and appreciate, but really don't use.
I don't know if any of these flys are considered classics and the case is all wood with plenty of water spot discoloration from the previous owners adventures. (probably some great stories there)

I've been trying to come up with a $$ figure appropriate to consider selling but haven't found anything close to base off of. Only new wood cases (empty) w/o flies.

If any of you kind fly anglers would shed some light on the worth of this vintage case & collection I would be very grateful.


*The 2 streamers at the bottom are not vintage, newer items I bought for striper & halibut in recent years.

[pjstevko]

Can't see anything

[Dominick]

I don't know what's wrong with your computer but there is a clear picture with the above post.  Cool looking case and flies.  I know nothing of the value.  Dominick

[Rancanfish]

I'd love it for a living room display if you come up with a cost.

[Gfish]

Looks like big attractor surface flies and some attractor streamers. Maybe oriented to fish not keyed in on a specific hatch. No idea about worth.

[happyhooker]

Been dusting off my fly gear and hope to get out with it this summer somewhere.  No idea what the value of your stuff would be.  Looks cool.

Frank

[jurelometer]

I was waiting too see if someone knowledgeable on this era of trout flies would jump in.  This is all that I got:

Lots of puffy bee type patterns that are not in use much nowadays but were included in fly assortments way back in the day.   I would guess most of the flies in that box are commercial post WWII ties, probably before the 70's.

There are plenty of flies in there that will catch trout- and the rest will catch panfish, but old flies can fall apart easily, depending on what they were exposed to.   

Most trout files in the era that I am guessing that these are from  are not of high monetary value.  High value stuff would be specific patterns tied by well known tyers.  Things like extremely well tied atlantic salmon flies made from exotic materials (which can raise some more issues to deal with if you are trying to sell them).

Always interesting to see old stuff though.

-J

[Maxed Out]

Pre-1972 a lot of flies were made with polar bear hair. Some of those flies can have decent value

[oc1]

You can buy flies for less than a buck each.  Over decades, the materials are subject to microbial attach and decay like any other natural product.  You could argue that the flies have very little, if any, value. 

But the box is nice and the box with flies makes a very attractive presentation.  Pricing a vintage decorative item it is like pricing art.  Very subjective, but potentially valuable.

[the rockfish ninja]

tied by well known tyers. 

After a little research I found this is the only answer that dictates worth, even materials don't matter as much. I have no info on the fly maker so not much to go on.

All those flys are from the 1950s/60s and the case looks home built. Plus the outside of the case is pretty fugly with a lot of water stains.

I found this, that sold for $395.GBP ??



and this that sells for $50.US




Maybe I should try to sell it on eBay UK  ;  

[akroper]

The box of flies you have likely has more sentimental value than monetary value, unless the flies were tied and the box was owned by someone of significance in the world of freshwater fly fishing.  I'd try selling it at a flea market, yard sale, or on marketplace as a decorative item, as flies that old are probably too fragile to fish with.  Put a $100 price on it and some lady may buy it for her guy's man cave.
In the two examples you showed, it's the box being sold; the flies are insignificant unless the flies in the first box can be confirmed as original to the box.  The first one identified as "Hardy The Club Wooden Fly Box" is valuable because of the Hardy name.  Anything from the House of Hardy, a storied name in British fly fishing, is very collectable.
Did the second box sell for $50, or is that an asking price?  It looks like it is made of cedar, which seems to me an odd choice for a fly box because of the odor it could leave on the flies.  I couldn't make out a name on the second box so it's hard to say what it is worth.   If it actually sold for $50, that's exactly what it is worth.
Good luck selling it.  Let us know if you are successful.