Description
This all-original Goodwin Granger DeLuxe GD8642 maintains its original varnish that has been polished out to remove bag marks. This rod may represent the very end of the 4th era transitioning to the 5th era as it maintains both a Granger DeLuxe stamp on the butt section AND a roll-stamped sliding-band reel seat. The 1934 catalog (shown below) pictures the DeLuxe rod with the sliding-band reel seat, yet below the photo the catalog states: “Locking screw reel seat now standard equipment.” Wrapped with black & white jasper silk tipped in 4 gold trim wraps on each guide foot. The A-grade Tonkin cane from the same culm is a dark, rich caramel color due to Granger’s ammonia aging process. 3×3 nodes. Sliding band nickel silver reel seat states: “GRANGER DELUXE” cleanly roll stamped between two incised lines at the top and “Made By / Goodwin Granger Company / Denver”. Chromium plated Perfection (PAT 8-3-15) tip tops and Perfection stripper guide. Hardened steel line guides. Cleaned 5.5” Coke bottle grip. Hard-drawn nickel silver ferrules. Original olive bag and aluminum tube with 99% original label (shrink wrapped for protection).
The 4th era 1931 Catalog shows the Goodwin Granger DeLuxe 8642 as one of nine models offered that year. Also available were the 7630, 8040, 9043, 9050, 9652, 9653, 9660, and 1062. The 5th era 1934 Catalog (pictured below) replaces the 7630 model with the 7633.
ABOUT THE GRANGER DELUXE
The Granger DeLuxe grade was first introduced in the 1st Era along with the Premier and the Special. The first recorded mention of the DeLuxe appears in Granger’s 1922 advertisements. DeLuxe rods from the 1st Era have an ornate signature wrap pattern and full intermediate wraps.
The DeLuxe grade name was changed in the 2nd and 3rd Eras to “The Granger Rod“—which was the top of the product line during that time period.
In 1930, the DeLuxe name was revived and used to designate the 2nd highest grade in the lineup behind the Premier. The 1931 Catalog describes the DeLuxe this way:
“The Granger DeLuxe is a truly high grade rod, ranking with the most expensive rods made. The rod is made by our own exclusive process, and meets the exacting standard or perfection we maintain for our very finest rods. It never fails to win the sincere approval of an experienced fisherman.”
Goodwin Granger DeLuxe rods of the 4th Era were available in 7 1/2′ to 10′ lengths (3 oz. to 6.5oz.) and priced at $35. There were no Tournament models in the DeLuxe grade. Each was outfitted with a sliding band reel seat with “GRANGER DELUXE” inscribed between two knurled bands. Grips were Coke Bottle shaped. Windings consisted of black & white jasper tipped in gold with 3 additional gold trim wraps.
Changes to the DeLuxe rods in the 5th Era included the new uplocking reel seat and a Western (Reverse Half-wells) style grip. The 1939 Catalog also introduces a new 2-piece 7′ model available in the Registered, DeLuxe and Aristocrat grades only.
Production of the Goodwin Granger Deluxe grade lasted until the company closed its doors during WWII in 1941.
Wright & McGill Rod Co. purchased Granger Rods in 1946 and resumed production of the DeLuxe grade beginning with the 1947 Catalog. It was offered in 7′ to 9.5′ lengths (3 oz. to 6.0oz.) and priced at $60. The DeLuxe grade made its final appearance in the 1952 W&M Catalog.
GOODWIN GRANGER ADVERTISING IN THE 4TH ERA (1930 – 1933)
Goodwin Granger advertisements of the 4th Era reflect a change in style and format. The earliest ads from 1930—and supported by the 1931 Goodwin Granger Catalog—introduce radical changes to the names of the Granger grades. The Denver Special and Colorado Special were replaced with simply a “Special”, The Goodwin Rod was renamed the “Favorite”, The Granger Rod was renamed the “DeLuxe”, and the former Tournament Grade became known as the “Premier”.
Ads from 1931 introduced a new writing style that describes how “YOU”—the buyer—will get the most out of “YOUR” Granger Rod. Prices range from $10 to $55 for a Premier Tournament Rod.
Ads from 1932 are the first of the smaller size—likely to save on cost. These ads also reflect a change in design style from previous ads. As far as we can tell, these are the firsts ad that use illustrations of people that a viewer may identify with.
To date, we have found no ads from 1933. The reason for this remains unclear.
All ads list “GOODWIN GRANGER COMPANY” as the business entity and the address is consistent at Grant St, Denver, Colo.
You might notice that a different street number was assigned to each publication on all Granger ads. This was done to accurately track the responses for the same ad across different publications.