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Horrocks-Ibbotson Rods
Horrocks-Ibbotson was one of America's largest production rod companies for many years, competing head to head with Montague
and South Bend. This company that came to be known as the World's Largest Manufacturer of Fishing Tackle traces its history
to 1812 but did not become involved with fishing tackle until 1863 when an English immigrant named James Horrocks was hired
as a clerk. In 1894, Edward Ibbotson was hired as an errand boy. Gradually the company acquired existing tackle companies.
In 1905 the company built a new factory in Utica, New York and continued to grow until it was known throughout the world.
The firm was incorporated in 1909 as the Horrocks-Ibbotson Co.
The rods made by Horrocks-Ibbotson in the years up to 1935 filled every niche in the rod making business. The high grade
rods such as the President and the Chancellor featured nickel silver fittings and were as good as any rods being produced
by the competition. At the other end of the spectrum were the cheapest production rods. H-I made literally hundreds of different
models throughout the years, and many had such minor differences in fittings and wraps that they were indistinguishable without
direct comparison.
Decals are useful for dating Horrocks-Ibbotson rods. The diamond with the UTK logo dates from 1905 until World War I.
This logo is usually stamped into the reel seat, but also appears as a decal. The Trout logo decal was then used until 1929.
It is rarely seen and is the most beautiful of the H-I decals. Next to appear was an elongated Double Diamond with Utica,
NY inside; it was used until 1933. In 1934, a double-diamond logo including the banner reading Best by Test was introduced
and was used until 1939. Next came the fanciest of all H-I decals featuring a bright red H-I on a white diamond and accompanied
by two banners reading Fish Rod and Genuine Tonkin Cane. The decal of the early 1950's was rectangular with a small gold foil
diamond logo. The final decal was a simple red diamond with a large white H-I.
If you are trying to identify a rod that has no decal, the writing of the model name is helpful. H-I used white ink, and
usually wrote with the words running toward the grip. The only other maker that used white ink was Edwards, who usually wrote
with the words reading away from the grip. The reel seats did not change much; the spacers were usually solid color plastic
before World War II, and marbleized plastic after the war. As with all rods, the most recent H-I products are most commonly
seen.
President 9' 3-piece $250
Chancellor 8½' 3-piece $250
Old HI's HiTest 8½' or 9' 3-piece $225
Vernley 8½' or 9' 3-piece $225
Canada Creek 8' 3-piece $250
Cascade 8½' or 9' 3-piece $225
Spinner 8½' or 9' 3-piece $225
Governor 9' 3-piece $200
Beaverkill 8½' or 9' 3-piece $225
Black River 6½' to 8½' 3-piece $175
Favorite 9' 3-piece $200
The Old Gold 9' 3-piece $200
Expert 9' 3-piece $200
Senator 9' 3-piece $200
Togo Special 9' 3-piece $175
Black Beauty 9' 3-piece $175
Steel Cane 9' 3-piece $175
Hexrod 9' 3-piece $175
Harvey 9' 3-piece $150
Davis 9' 3-piece $150
Golden Rod 9' 3-piece $150
Featherweight 8½' or 9' 3-piece $150
Utica 9' 3-piece $125
Roosevelt 9' 3-piece $125
Mayflower 9' 3-piece $125
Hudson 9' 3-piece $125
Majestic 9' 3-piece $125
Cunningham 9' 3-piece $125
Jay-Dee-Jay 9' 3-piece $100
Adirondack 9' 3-piece $100
Catskill 9' 3-piece $100
Ike Walton 9' 3-piece $100
Lucky Strike 9' 3-piece $100
Fairy 9' 3-piece $100
National Sportsman 9' 3-piece $100
Oriskany 9' 3-piece $100
Two-Piece Rods:
Sportsman Sierra 7'9" 5 oz. $200
Pocono 7' 4 oz. $225
Tonka Prince 7' 4¼ oz. $225
Tonka Princess 7 or 7½' 4½ oz. $225
Tonka Queen 7'9" 5 oz. $250
Tonka King 7½' 4½ oz. $250
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