The Beginning…

The recent decision to move to an all color format reminded me of RodMaker’s earliest days.  The very first three issues featured no color whatsoever – they were done entirely in black & white. The first two issues, were 24 page affairs, with zero advertising.

I found out pretty quickly that nobody was going to advertise in, nor subscribe to, a magazine that didn’t yet exist. Everyone I approached responded in like manner, “Show me a copy and maybe we’ll consider it.” Thus, I was forced to bite the bullet and produce, publish and mail the first couple issues entirely out of my own pocket. The result was worth it, however.

Volume 1 Numbers 1 & 2 are highly sought after by collectors today. A limited number were produced to begin with and they were mailed mainly to folks in the industry. Very few rod builders outside of some local guys obtained either issue. When the company that had printed them moved back in 2000, the original negatives and plates were lost. Thus, no reprints have ever been available, nor will they ever be.

A few years ago a builder advertised the pair on the RBO buy/sell page. He claims he received $600 for them. I don’t doubt him. Another builder told me just last year that he got $500 for the very first issue. There are thousands of custom rod builders out there that have every single issue of RodMaker ever produced, save for these two elusive issues. In fact, I don’t even possess my own copies. I wish I did. A few continue to exist but apparently are closely guarded by their owners and when they do turn up for sale, they cost a pretty penny.

Tom Kirkman

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