For sale here is an extremely rare and unusual EW Edwards 9' 3/4 bamboo rod made during the Brewer era, sometime between 1917-1919. The rod was signed by Edwards in black india ink, one of only a few known to exist. This along with the four tips make the rod a complete anomaly. Stamped on the bag is "6119" and "W3917" that may have indicated a 3-piece 9' rod made in 1917. The other tips were perhaps a custom request made at a later date. Other clues pointing to the Brewer era are the rather dark browntone cane and the full intermediates. The rod was once owned by Patrick Garner, author of the Edwards book, Playing with Fire.

The rod is in excellent condition, it appears that no repairs have ever been made. There are some issues with the varnish in areas including some sagging, and slight bag burn. As stated the rod features very darkly tempered cane. Gold silks with black tipping and full gold intermediates. There is one intermediate missing on the butt section. The ring hook keeper is still attached, quite rare. Slightly swelled butt. Agate stripping guide. Of the four tips, two have agate tip-tops, and the other two have round nickel silver tip-tops. It appears the rod the was made with a wet and dry tip, the wet tip being 2" shorter. At a later date another set was added. The set with agate tip-tops was likely the original set. The rod features a cigar grip 5" in length with black bakelite cork check and winding check. There is some slight ridging on the grip. Nickel silver down-locking reel seat with fine knurled edges on the sliding band. 

The rod weighs 5 1/4 oz. Ferrule sizes 15/64 and 9/64, the fit is nice. The action is a smooth medium to medium-fast for a 6wt. The rod comes with what appears to be the original bag and super rare Edwards-stamped tube with a cork stopper.

This is certainly a unique early E.W. Edwards rod and one for the serious Edwards collector.