Description
This 5th Era Goodwin Granger Favorite GF1062 was crafted between 1938 and 1941. These Granger 10 footer’s are extremely scarce and are described in the Granger catalog as a Steelhead / Light Salmon rod.
This GF1062 Favorite is in Very Good, All Original condition. The A-grade Tonkin cane is a deep, rich caramel color due to Granger’s ammonia aging process. The varnish appears original with a few chips and bag marks from honest use. Smooth operating Goodwin Granger up-locking nickel silver reel seat marked “Pat April 12, 1938 / Pat No. 2,114,107 in two lines followed by “Made by / Goodwin Granger Company / Denver””. Chromium plated tip tops. Hardened steel guides. Reversed half-Wells “western” grip. Hard-drawn nickel silver ferrules are snug and pop when separated. Wrapped in black & white jasper tipped with gold with full gold intermediates. Original olive bag and aluminum tube with replica label. The tube is a bit unusual for Goodwin Granger, but is believed to be original to the rod as part of the last to leave the shop before the War.
The 1941 Catalog (pictured below) shows the Goodwin Granger Favorite 1062 as one of ten models offered that year. Also available were the 7633, 8040, 8642, 9043, 9050, 9053, 9652, 9653, and 9660.
ABOUT THE GRANGER FAVORITE
The Goodwin Granger Favorite was introduced in several advertisements in 1930 and the 1931 Goodwin Granger Catalog describes the Favorite as follows:
“The Granger Favorite is a beautifully balanced rod, with quick action, sensitiveness, and power. This rod is one of our most popular models, and although moderately priced, is definitely in the ‘high grade’ class, and measures up to the exacting standards of performance. It will meet the approval of any fisherman who knows and appreciates a really good fly rod.”
The Favorite (formerly The Goodwin Rod) was one of Granger’s most popular grades given its classic appearance and moderate price point—at $25, it was half the cost of the top-of-the-line ($50) Premier.
Goodwin Granger Favorite rods of the 4th Era were available in 7 1/2′ to 10′ lengths (3 oz. to 6.5oz.) and priced at $25. Tournament models were available in 9 and 9.5′ lengths. Each was outfitted with a sliding band reel seat with “GRANGER FAVORITE” inscribed between two knurled bands. Grips were Coke Bottle shaped. Windings consisted of black & white jasper tipped in gold with full intermediate wraps.*
Changes to the Favorite grade in the 5th Era included the new uplocking reel seat and a Western (Reverse Half-wells) style grip.
Production of the Goodwin Granger Favorite 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 Favorite grade beginning with the 1947 Catalog. It was offered in 7.5′ to 9.5′ lengths (3.75 oz. to 6.0oz.) and priced at $50. Interestingly, the 1947 W&M Catalog also shows two 9′ Tournament models offered in the Favorite grade. The Favorite grade was offered for sale until the last W&M bamboo rods were listed in the 1953 Catalog.
The Favorite is listed as a “High Grade” rod constructed with A-Grade cane matched from different culms.
The Favorite is the only grade in the Wright & McGill lineup to offer full intermediate wraps.* This unique trait gives these rods a timeless, classic appearance… and many Granger collectors consider this grade their “Favorite”.
*Prior to the introduction of the Favorite grade, predecessors with full intermediate wraps included the 1st Era Deluxe grade and 2nd & 3rd Era Goodwin Rod.
GOODWIN GRANGER ADVERTISING IN THE 5TH ERA WITH PATENTED REEL SEAT (1938 – 1942)
Goodwin Granger advertisements of the late 5th Era are 2x – 3x larger than their predecessors and were also produced in just one color (black). The headlines in these ads tend to focus on the inherent VALUE of Granger Rods.
The first ads in 1938 highlight the “Granger Patented Locking Screw Reel Seat”.
In March of 1939, the ads describe another “NEW CATALOG”. This is the 1939 Catalog with the SILVER cover. Two years later, Granger released the 1941 Catalog with the YELLOW cover.
All ads list “GOODWIN GRANGER CO.” as the business entity and the address is consistent at Grant Street, 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.
All ads shown here were scanned directly from their original publications.
