Spinoza Rod Company, "Spinoza" model, serial #15 limited edition. 8' 3/2 #4.
This is the limited edition rod that kicked off the "Spinoza" series of rods, limited to a set of 15. 8 feet long, built for a #4 line. Mirrored tips. Oxidized pot-belly step ferrules. Rod shafts are a light chestnut brown, and are made from pre-embargo cane. Agate stripper, main wraps brown with a yellow edge, with purple edge at the keeper and male ferrules. Wraps are treated with the original Payne formula with orange shellac. All rod shafts are coated with flawless spar varnish. Payne style front cork check. 5 1/2" medium cigar grip consists of 1/4" corks. An oxidized nickel silver rear cork check divides the 1/4" cork ring reel seat. Seat is nickel silver ring and pocket cap over a Payne style aluminum acorn. Finial style cork and aluminum ferrule plugs (though these are not consistent with the date of the story that comes with the rod, I simply couldn't resist).
The rod comes with a copy of John Taintor Foote's "A Wedding Gift", published in 1936, and it is the 15th edition book, intended to match the serial number of this rod. The book comes with a Spinoza Rod Company book plate in the front, denoting serial #15.
The rod comes with green cloth bag and a leather Arnie Mason tube with a brass inner tube. The tube is stamped "Spinoza Rod Co" and "Serial #15". The end cap has a light engraved brass plaque attached, which also states the rod as serial #15.
In terms of a rodmakers craft, I consider this to be my finest work.
