The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Soon to be joining me is this Hardy "The Expert," a 13ft. rod described in the 1955 Super Bottom Fishing Tackle as "A really quick striking rod for the Match Angler who must have absolute control throughout his contest. "

Control ??? Me ???

Numbered G 36030 ... dating it to the late 1950's, I believe. More pictures when it arrives.

I would presume it would be 1958 onwards as that when charles became the Prince of Wales, lovely looking rod

He was 10!

Yes he wasn't the first Prince of Wales! His investiture was in the Sixties.

Catfish.017 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 17, 2021 12:26 pm Yes he wasn't the first Prince of Wales! His investiture was in the Sixties.

He was given the title in 1958 and the previous P of W became king in 1936 so the P of W title becomes vacant as I understand
it, so as far as i know he's the only one we've had between 1955-62 when the Expert was catalogued.

Another fine addition to your collection.

Well done Mal.

Does the Royal "By Appointment" carry on after the demise of said Prince of Wales?

From Hardy's History on their internet page:-
Hardys had a talent for innovation and one of the firm's many firsts was a patent on the full bail arm, which was introduced on their Altex spinning reel in 1932. It wasn't long before Hardy's products had gained worldwide fame and royal warrants were rained upon them, the company having held at least ten in its time. Some funny things happened along the way, including a letter which finally got to Alnwick having been addressed to "Hardys, c/o the King, England" and a birthday telegram from King George V, who, having been reminded that Thomas Hardy's birthday was approaching, absent-mindedly sent the message to his favourite tackle manufacturer instead of the nation's favourite novelist.

Royal Warrants:-
https://www.royalwarrant.org/company/hardy-greys-ltd

Looks to be a lovely example and at 13ft a little different from the norm!

Not the best start to my day !!! Though My Fair Lady and I were here, and the doorbell did not ring, the Parcelforce driver delivered the rod tube to my next door neighbour this morning.

The rod tube ... NOT the rod !!! The tape cap at one end of the tube was completely missing ... and the contents gone !!!



After many vain attempts to contact Parcelforce customer services by phone ... there is no number available to actually speak to someone ... I found I could 'talk' to a representative via Twitter.

Having set up a Twitter account (the site wouldn't accept my landline number as appropriate ... only my mobile), I found Parcelforce and sent a message with the photo above, and after a few moments received this reply ...

"I'm sorry to hear that, was the parcel sent in a box as all items sent with us need to be boxed? Please inform the sender of this and request that they send a replacement item out to you-Stephen"

My response was "Disgraceful lack of customer service !!!!!!!!!!"

Needless to say, I had already contacted the seller, and she is starting investigations at her end.

Time will tell if the matter is resolved.

The tube is a dead give away to delivery drivers who wish to supplement their income by selling stolen goods on the Web. I've collected the rods I have recently bought to avoid the theives. How sickening :-(