The Brand of this rod is Horrocks-Ibbotson, a low end bamboo rod maunfacturer. The "Tonkin" simply means it is made from Tonkin (the preferred cane) cane as opposed to the previously used Calcutta cane. It should have a name (model) written on it, typically in white ink, and reading from the tip to the butt of the rod. H-I was big on names such as: President, Governor, Senator, etc., and locations, such as: Saranac, Adirondack, Catskill, etc.

The photos posted are inadequate to tell whether or not this rod is mint, or if it has been used extensively. To be able to do such an assessment, one must have close-up photos of every part of the rod: reel seat, grip, signature wraps, guide wraps, decal, guides, and especially the ferrules. You should be able to determine whether or not there are any cracks in the ferrules, are there any sets in any sections, is there any delamination anywhere along the any of the sections, what the condition of the varnish is. Are there any dings in the cork handle (one cannot tell as the handle is not shown)? If so, how bad are they? Are the ferrules tight or not? Sometimes the only way to tell this is to put a reel and line on it and cast it and listen for 'clicks' at the ferrules. Are all guides present, and are any wraps exposed or frayed? Is the hardware nickle silver or nickle plated brass? Does it come with the original sock and tube? All of these are integral to ascertaining a 'market' value.

As nighthawk pointed out, even the low end rod makers produced some really great casting rods; especially in certain models. In today's 'vintage bamboo rod' market, the rods less than 9 feet long are much more in demand that the 9 ft and longer rods; hence the shorter rods are commanding higher prices. As he also points out, absent much better quality photos, and of the various areas of the rod, buyer beware!

Check out the offerings on that big auction site ( bamboo fly rods) to get a good idea of the kinds and number of photos that those who are 'in-the-know' post with their offerings, and to get some idea of the 'price range' for H-I rods. Clearly, some who post there have no more, or better, photos of their offerings than this one.

agedsage