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Goodwin Granger Favorite – GF8040

Grade: Favorite
Model: GF8040
Length: 8′
Weight: 4.0oz (4.7oz with Reel Seat)
Sections: 3/2
Ferrule Size: 15/10
Grip: Western
Reel Seat: PAT PEND, Nickel Silver Up-Locking
Tube: Original Aluminum with Partial Original Label (15%)
Bag: Original Olive Canvas 
Condition: Excellent+, Restored
Location: Longmont, CO
Status: Private Collection, Not For Sale

SKU: GF8040-2 Categories: , , Tag:

Description

This 5th Era Goodwin Granger Favorite is in Excellent+ restored condition. It has the classic black & white jasper silk wraps tipped gold with full gold intermediates. Varnish is excellent as one would expect in a restoration by Scott Whitman. All sections are full length. The butt, mid and one tip are original to the rod. This tip appears to have been expertly scarfed. The 2nd tip was crafted by Scott from original Granger bamboo and beautifully matched to the original sections. A new 6½” Western style cork grip was also fashioned to original specs. Smooth operating Goodwin Granger up-locking nickel silver reel seat reads: “PAT. PEND.” at the top and “Made By / Goodwin Granger Company / Denver” below that. Chromium plated tip tops. Hardened steel guides. Hard-drawn nickel silver ferrules are snug. Original olive bag and aluminum tube with partial original label (15% – shrink wrapped for protection).

The 1934 Catalog (pictured below) shows the Goodwin Granger Favorite 8040 as one of nine models offered that year.  Also available were models 7633, 8642, 9043, 9050, 9652, 9653, 9660 and 1062.

1934 Goodwin Granger Catalog
1934 Goodwin Granger Catalog

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 PATENT PENDING REEL SEAT (1934 – 1937)

Goodwin Granger advertisements of the early 5th Era are all on the smaller side, produced in just one color (black), and have a similar layout. Most of the body copy describes the qualities of EVERY Granger Rod and the enjoyment one gets out of using such DEPENDABLE equipment.

The first ad in 1934 introduces the Granger Champion grade. The Champion grade is also featured in the 1934 Goodwin Granger Catalog.

The last ad in 1937 announces the production of the “NEW 1937 CATALOG“. This is the 1937 catalog with the GRANGER GREEN cover.

All ads list “GOODWIN GRANGER CO.” 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.

All ads shown here were scanned directly from their original publications.
May 1934 Field and Stream
May 1934 Field and Stream
March 1936 Field and Stream
March 1936 Field and Stream
April 1935 Field and Stream
April 1935 Field and Stream
April 1936 Field and Stream
April 1936 Field and Stream
May 1935 Field and Stream
May 1935 Field and Stream
May 1936 Field and Stream
May 1936 Field and Stream
June 1935 Field and Stream
June 1935 Field and Stream
May 1937 Field and Stream
May 1937 Field and Stream