Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hoping someone might have some advice on how to clean/restore a huge vintage 1930's Tuna fishing reel. It is a Edward Vom Hofe & co. New York "Commander Ross" #722 16/0

Probably over 80 years old and made of Ebonite (Vulcanite) and German Silver (Nickel Silver).

Your best bet is to go to the ORCA website which is the Old Reel Collectors Association. They are the experts on vintage reel restoration and they also sell a terrific book on the subject.

Will do. Thanks!

 We have quite a few experts here that will answer your question. I'm sure they will reply shortly.

That dollar value for year of manufacture is insane! Around 6 grand.
Beautiful reel.

   You have a very valuable reel. Best not to have it be the first one you do. Just wipe off the dust and enjoy it or whatever you plan to do with it.  Very  nice reel.
The way it's engraved, it may have been used by them as a display reel.

Welcome to the site..I think you are in the running for best first post ever.

@crackerman - Wow. How is value determined for these older reels? Is there an eBay for vintage tackle?

@Oceanreels - Good tip, I'm sure. Better to leave it as is or have a professional take care of it?

Knowledgeable group here. Thanks guys! :-)

There is an excellent book on the history of EVH that should be available on Amazon, or occasionally EBAY that you may want to check out.  This type of item may be difficult to put an exact value on, but you can start with do a search for all 'completed' postings on EBAY for similar reels, then maybe contact online auction sites, such as Langs, or Crossroads Angling Auction.  They may have someone who can provide an apraisal.  Really it boils down to what someone is willing to pay for it.  You may want to share this post on ORCA.  There are many knowledgeable EVH reel collectors over there.  Additional info can be found on the ORCA page, and by ordering back issues of the 'Reel News' dealing with the topic.  Just email or PM the librarian from ORCA.

If you plan on selling it I would leave it as is. 

Quote from: crackerman on October 29, 2015, 12:27:18 AM
That dollar value for year of manufacture is insane! Around 6 grand.
Beautiful reel.

For the  16/0 reel in 1935 dollars...of $375.00 sticker price ...would run you $6500.00 in 2015 dollars. that's using an inflation calculator.

Perceived/Actual value is up to the buyer.


              Inflation Calculator
       If in   1935

       I purchased an item for $   375.00
       then in 2015

       that same item would cost:   $6,513.09
       Cumulative rate of inflation:1636.8%

   Hello Eric, beautiful reel

  Are you interested in selling ??

Hi Erik --

These are just opinions -- and some folks may not like what I am about to say -- but I believe it to be the truth.

• If you decided to restore this reel, the value would decrease substantially (because anyone paying this type of money for a centerpiece of their collection, wants to either do the work themselves -- or have control over who does the job.
  
  After you carefully and methodically determine a value range -- and only if you decide to sell it -- offer it at double the list value (someone will want it, and you cannot replace it for any price after you sell it -- game over).
  
  This reel is an investment and also an irreplaceable part of someone's collection.
  
  There are folks out there who would pay what you are asking for this reel -- if you decide to sell it.
  
  Over the last 8 years, "Toys" have not sold for high prices since the Market and Real Estate Adjustment (Crash).
  
  That has changed now, over the last year or so -- things are coming back up to normal values -- and folks that have been out of the market, are cautiously returning.
  
  If marketed properly, the ultimate buyer may be from the US -- just as easily could be from Japan, or -- who knows?
  
  But unless you have a bunch of these, you should consider being patient, doing some good marketing -- maybe involve a couple of professionals for valuation, and some who have contacts waiting for these types of rare items.  Anything you pay in the way of a 10% or so commission -- would be more than made up in the value received.
  
  The thing I would try and remember is this -- it doesn't matter what the book value is on these rare items -- the value is only an opinion -- and most serious buyers would throw the value out the window, if they could obtain an item like this -- even at double the appraised value.
  
  I have handled enough Estates and disposed of enough inventories to have a grasp of how this actually works in the real world.
  
  Some of the shrewdest and most astute tackle buyers in the world, with giant collections -- are also quiet and invisible to the general public -- and they like it that way.
  
  You would be absolutely surprised how quick it might sell for double what some may think it worth -- if done properly.
  
  This is not an ebay or Lang's item -- although they would love to handle it for you.  You would be leaving a lot of money on the table if it was not "hand sold" to a private collector -- by using a reputable connected seller's agent -- with good prospects waiting for this item.  Might go off the chart.
  
  Rare and important reel, and good luck with whatever you decide to do with it.
  
  Thanks for sharing on our site.
  
  Keep us in the loop as to what you decide to do with it.
  
  If we can help further in any way -- just let us know.
  
  Best,
  
  Fred
  
  

Fred Blew it for you Ted. :D
I would keep it and pass it on. A reel like that belongs under glass.

Hi Erik --

Would you mind posting a couple of close up pics showing the bottom of the stand and also the spool condition from a couple of different angles?

Thanks,

Fred

Quote from: foakes on October 31, 2015, 12:19:10 AM
Hi Erik --

These are just opinions -- and some folks may not like what I am about to say -- but I believe it to be the truth.


Fred

Well posted Fred!

That is what this site is all about.  Information.  Let the person know what he has and advise him on his best strategy.  Good job Fred.  Dominick

Quote from: Dominick on October 31, 2015, 03:00:46 PM
That is what this site is all about.  Information.  Let the person know what he has and advise him on his best strategy.  Good job Fred.  Dominick

   Hey Dominick, I'll give you $100 for Sal's tank....everyone knows it's only worth $50  ;D ;D ;)

Quote from: Max Doubt on November 01, 2015, 05:16:26 AM

Quote from: Dominick on October 31, 2015, 03:00:46 PM
That is what this site is all about.  Information.  Let the person know what he has and advise him on his best strategy.  Good job Fred.  Dominick

   Hey Dominick, I'll give you $100 for Sal's tank....everyone knows it's only worth $50  ;D ;D ;)

Max, you are going to be surprised that the "Tank" has no monetary value.  At some point in time the Tank will be given to a deserving member of this site who promises to put a hurting on it each time it is taken out.  It has been fished hard by me.  It has caught Marlin, Dorado, Rooster Fish, Wahoo and Tuna.  It has behaved admirably.  I would like to use it more but my trips with it are only 6 days a year.  The last few times I fished I left my Penn Internationals 30 and 50 home and only brought the Tank and my Torque 300.  Those 2 reels will get the job done on most fish targeted.  If anyone is targeting big fish and want to give the Tank a go, PM me.  Dominick

Anyway you can post more pictures?  Beautiful reel from the looks of it.  Some awesome advice given so no need to chime in there.

Dominick - I love your post, gives warm fuzzy feelings no matter who you pass the Tank onto;  this place is one big family.  

[/quote]
Max, you are going to be surprised that the "Tank" has no monetary value.  At some point in time the Tank will be given to a deserving member of this site who promises to put a hurting on it each time it is taken out.  It has been fished hard by me.  It has caught Marlin, Dorado, Rooster Fish, Wahoo and Tuna.  It has behaved admirably.  I would like to use it more but my trips with it are only 6 days a year.  The last few times I fished I left my Penn Internationals 30 and 50 home and only brought the Tank and my Torque 300.  Those 2 reels will get the job done on most fish targeted.  If anyone is targeting big fish and want to give the Tank a go, PM me.  Dominick
[/quote]


   That's a fantastic idea Dominick, have Sal's tank travel the world and take on whatever it comes up against and have a dedicated thread for pics and adventures with the tank. I like that idea !! You are the man Dominick.

I know this has gone off topic, but like what Max is suggesting. I'll pay for postage to get it to Australia, try and put a sword on it, fit it with some SS rings while I have it, and then pass it on to whoever wants to attempt to hurt it next. Would make for an epic thread....

Fred,

Thanks for the great rundown. This is very helpful. :-)

Quote from: Max Doubt on October 30, 2015, 11:03:58 PM
   Hello Eric, beautiful reel

  Are you interested in selling ??

Max - Thank you for YOUR interest. I'm not sure yet if I want to sell it.

Quote from: foakes on October 31, 2015, 04:10:12 AM
Hi Erik --

Would you mind posting a couple of close up pics showing the bottom of the stand and also the spool condition from a couple of different angles?

Thanks,

Fred

Fred,

I'll take some more pics and post them when I get a chance. It currently has line on the spool. It is thick old braided stuff. Do you think there is any point in leaving it on or saving it, or should it come off so the condition of the spool can be seen?
thanks,
Erik

If it were mine, Erik --

Take the line off and save it carefully, as part of the package.

But the less you do to it, the more valuable it is.

Even a distorted original screw slot would reduce value.

Then if you decide to sell it -- there would be no questions about the spool condition.

We need to see some different pics to advise you better.

Best,

Fred

Some photos attached...

pics...

I haven't so much as taken a rag to it.
I'm sure the ebonite and silver/nickel could be cleaned up and shined quite a bit, but I don't want to use any kind of abrasive nor chemically clean one of the two materials in such a way that damages the other. Would appreciate some advise there.
thanks

Leave it be.

Second to that. Do NOT polish it up. You remove money when you remove grime.  Of course you can do as you like...but if you want to sell and get top dollar...leave it be.