Item #1: Circa 1900 Divine Special w/Patent Reelseat & big grip
1890's Divine "Special" Fly Rod with Divine Patent Reelseat and unusually large grip - $375
This old rod is a 9' 3/2. All sections are full length. Marking #4. Divine Patent Reelseat. The cork grip and snake style guided lead me to believe this rod was made nearer 1900. An enormous grip unlike any I have ever seen. Elaborate signature wraps in red and pale green typical of the period and typical of Divine they cover the front of the grip. Glass stripper and tip-tops. Typical Divine style ferrules. All the metal has verdis-gris corrosion on it. This will polish up with metal polish, though I like it the way it is. The varnish overall is dark and bag marked except for the one tip which I would guess is a replacement. But it must have been made a long time ago as it shows the same corrosion as the other rod components. The butt and the mid have a strong set of about 1". The tip tube cap is corroded shut and the whole cap assembly has come unglued. With all the faults noted grading this rod as Good+. Item #DR1