It\'s my pleasure to offer at sale a Very Nice, Scarce and Extremely Desirable 1946-1948 HEDDON No.17 \"BLACK BEAUTY\" 7-1/2 FT., 3/2 SPLIT BAMBOO \"EXTRA LIGHT TROUT\" ACTION FLY ROD WITH THE ORIGINAL LABELED BAG &BLACK HEDDON ALUMINUM TUBE. One of the more desirable lengths and tapers from Heddon, built on a No.1-1/2 Ferrule in what the catalogs termed \"Extra Light Trout\" action. One of the most popular models ever produced by James Heddon\'s Sons, the \"Black Beauty\" was first introduced in 1931 and would sell continuously through 1955. Because this example carries the Neo Classic Era rodshaft markings (used from 1939 to 1948) and is wrapped in black silk only (started just after the war, in 1946), we know this was only built from 1946 to 1948. The style of the bag tag and tube also bear this out. Heddon\'s Cleo Hanley has handwritten \"Heddon\" diagonally along three flats and \"#17 - 7-1/2\' - 1-1/2F - HEH or F\". The \"HEH or F\" is the old line weight designation, equivalent to today\'s modern 4 or 5 wt. lines. The reel seat locking ring is stamped \"PAT. NO.1807078\", the 1931 patent assigned to Heddon for the screw-locking seat. Built with high-grade browntone Tonkin cane, blackened hardware and comes equipped with extra tip section, Perfection guides & tip tops, serrated hand-welted ferrules, flip-ring hook keeper,plastic butt cap, patented screw-locking reel seat of black tenite, solid cork Heddon half-Wells grip and wound in black silk. I\'ve added a photo of the original listing forthis rod, takenfrom Heddon\'s first (and very brief) post-war catalog of 1946. Rod is in about Fine+ to Very Fine condition for these, showing just the light to moderate wear associated withnormal use. Bamboo is perfect, with no splits, cracks or delamination whatsoever. All four sections are the correct equal length and are reasonably straight. Original varnish is just starting to become unsettled in a couple areas, but I think it would polish out nicely. It\'s in good condition overall. All wraps are solid and complete. Rodshaft markings remain nice. All guides, tip tops, ferrules, hook keeper and butt cap are in fine condition. Reel seat adjusts perfectly. The cork grip is in excellent condition. Put up in the original cloth bag, which is in Fine+ condition, with no holes or tears whatsoever. Still carries the original \"Heddon - Fighting Heart\" inspection label, which is correctly marked for the rod. All this goes into the original aluminum tube, which is in solid Very Fine+ condition. The cap, correctly embossed \"HEDDON\", screws on tightly and securely. A very scarce and desirable post-war package from Heddon, all original and complete. To be sold with a very modest starting offer and . Buyer to pay $17.00 shipping via U.S. Priority Mail, with full insurance and tracking. Payment must be received within 7 days of sale closure. Thanks for your time and good luck.