Monday, June 28, 2010
The Pilot - by H.R. Stewart Co.
I found this little doosie at the bottom of a tackle box last year and it wasn't until recently that I found out what it was. This is the H.R. Stewart "Pilot" the lure dates to 1903. I was able to find and actual ad for the lure from a hardware magazine.This ad comes to us from the Hardware Dealers Magazine Vol.23 1905
This Ad shows the Pilot at the bottom with some well-known lures of the time
Monday, June 14, 2010
Shoring up on Black Shore - Whew!
I sat around on a lazy, Rainy weekend to watch some of these recent auctions on some Heddon Lures in color "Black Shore" or Color code: XBW.
Here is a breakdown of some of these amazing sales.
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Vamp $272.oo
Lucky 13 sold at auction $297.00
Crazy Crawler with early brush box and flap rigging - sold at auction $177.00
Heddon Punkinseed XBW with early brush box and flap rigging - sold at auction $1,225.00Saturday, May 29, 2010
I'll drink to that!
Astonishing!
I watched this auction because I knew the outcome was going to be unpredictable... kind of like waiting for a car accident to take place. The end result was nothing short of amazing.
At the end of this auction this little bastard fetched a cool $2,024.99!
Analysis: This lure, in it's simplest form, is a RH Heddon Hi-tail. As a promotional item for Budweiser, a clear decal was added to the lure with the Anheuser-Bush logo and Budweiser logo as a "saddle" over the back of the lure. The box is correctly labeled and having the two together is a feat within itself.
Aside from the decal and the words "Budweiser Hi-Tail" on the box, this lure is a Boxed, RH, Hi-tail that would typically command a price of $60-110.00! as apposed to $2,024.99.
I am amazed!
I watched this auction because I knew the outcome was going to be unpredictable... kind of like waiting for a car accident to take place. The end result was nothing short of amazing.
At the end of this auction this little bastard fetched a cool $2,024.99!
Analysis: This lure, in it's simplest form, is a RH Heddon Hi-tail. As a promotional item for Budweiser, a clear decal was added to the lure with the Anheuser-Bush logo and Budweiser logo as a "saddle" over the back of the lure. The box is correctly labeled and having the two together is a feat within itself.
Aside from the decal and the words "Budweiser Hi-Tail" on the box, this lure is a Boxed, RH, Hi-tail that would typically command a price of $60-110.00! as apposed to $2,024.99.
I am amazed!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Muddy Waters - The basics of collecting and tackle sales
I've titled this post "Muddy Waters" because that is the best term I can think of when discussing collecting of lures and tackle to lay-persons and beginners in collecting or selling of tackle.
First off, let me start by saying that I do not consider myself an expert, nor do I frown upon those who are new to collecting. I am always willing to share what I know. However, I am continually frustrated with individuals who are not collectors, who know nothing about lures and tackle yet they bitch about others offering them "unfair prices" for tackle that they are attempting to sell.
First, I would like to talk to collecting....foremost condition!
Condition is everything! absolutely everything!
I have had people tell me, as an example "This lure is worth $60.00" but what they fail to understand is that this $60.00 is for a lure in EX+ to Mint condition without the box. When you tell them this astounding revelation, you get the funny looks of rejection....as if you told them their baby was ugly or something of that sort.
Condition, condition, condition. Very important.
Simply because you posses a certain lure doesn't make it valuable. period.
Conversely, simply because something is OLD doesn't mean that it is RARE or VALUABLE.
Secondly is type. This is easy. Some lures are rare simply because of the type of lure. An example would be Heddon's "Preyfish"...a short production run lure. Really doesn't matter what color it is, as long as rule #1 applies - Condition!
If it is in good condition or better, chance are it will fetch a good price, regardless.
Thirdly is color. How rare is Heddon's perch, color code "L".... not very.
Now ask me the same question about Heddon's yellow chrome, color code "NPY" and the difference in price is ten-fold!
Nuff said!
Now let's talk about those prices... and those who are clueless about what something is worth, yet think they are sitting on a gold mine.
I recently e-mailed an individual who had a large lot of tackle for sale. This person was looking for "serious inquires only" so, being a "serious" collector, I dropped him an e-mail.
(It's important to note that my e-mails have a custom footer that shows I own a website).
I asked for pictures of the tackle and the response I got was pretty interesting.
It starts like this: "Well If you are a dealer than I do not think you will give me a fair price" I already smelled a problem with the attitude.
This person continues: "I just have had so many people come and offer me a junk price". and then he adds this interesting bit of information: "I do not know the value of these lures, rods, reels, and fly rods".
So, I scratch my head.....You're saying that you don't know the price of these things, yet you have somehow come to the conclusion that others have offered you a "junk price"? How does a person even navigate this thought process.??
I have no willingness to even deal with a person of this nature, even if they have rare lures.... I simply bail on all dealings with people like this. experience has taught me this is an exercise in futility.
My response:
"If you have no idea what something is worth, or you have reservations about selling... there is always Ebay. Then you won't waste a collectors time and you won't need to feel like you are getting a "junk" price even though you don't know what something is worth.
My recommendation based on your own words, is for you to do some homework, find out the price of your goods and then put a firm, fair price on it."
I close by adding:
"Think of it this way....if you do not collect fishing tackle and you seldom fish and do not intend on using this gear yourself what does it matter? Something is better than nothing no?
just a thought."
And I guess that is as simple as I can make it....
Just wanted to share some of my frustrations ~ Chuck
First off, let me start by saying that I do not consider myself an expert, nor do I frown upon those who are new to collecting. I am always willing to share what I know. However, I am continually frustrated with individuals who are not collectors, who know nothing about lures and tackle yet they bitch about others offering them "unfair prices" for tackle that they are attempting to sell.
First, I would like to talk to collecting....foremost condition!
Condition is everything! absolutely everything!
I have had people tell me, as an example "This lure is worth $60.00" but what they fail to understand is that this $60.00 is for a lure in EX+ to Mint condition without the box. When you tell them this astounding revelation, you get the funny looks of rejection....as if you told them their baby was ugly or something of that sort.
Condition, condition, condition. Very important.
Simply because you posses a certain lure doesn't make it valuable. period.
Conversely, simply because something is OLD doesn't mean that it is RARE or VALUABLE.
Secondly is type. This is easy. Some lures are rare simply because of the type of lure. An example would be Heddon's "Preyfish"...a short production run lure. Really doesn't matter what color it is, as long as rule #1 applies - Condition!
If it is in good condition or better, chance are it will fetch a good price, regardless.
Thirdly is color. How rare is Heddon's perch, color code "L".... not very.
Now ask me the same question about Heddon's yellow chrome, color code "NPY" and the difference in price is ten-fold!
Nuff said!
Now let's talk about those prices... and those who are clueless about what something is worth, yet think they are sitting on a gold mine.
I recently e-mailed an individual who had a large lot of tackle for sale. This person was looking for "serious inquires only" so, being a "serious" collector, I dropped him an e-mail.
(It's important to note that my e-mails have a custom footer that shows I own a website).
I asked for pictures of the tackle and the response I got was pretty interesting.
It starts like this: "Well If you are a dealer than I do not think you will give me a fair price" I already smelled a problem with the attitude.
This person continues: "I just have had so many people come and offer me a junk price". and then he adds this interesting bit of information: "I do not know the value of these lures, rods, reels, and fly rods".
So, I scratch my head.....You're saying that you don't know the price of these things, yet you have somehow come to the conclusion that others have offered you a "junk price"? How does a person even navigate this thought process.??
I have no willingness to even deal with a person of this nature, even if they have rare lures.... I simply bail on all dealings with people like this. experience has taught me this is an exercise in futility.
My response:
"If you have no idea what something is worth, or you have reservations about selling... there is always Ebay. Then you won't waste a collectors time and you won't need to feel like you are getting a "junk" price even though you don't know what something is worth.
My recommendation based on your own words, is for you to do some homework, find out the price of your goods and then put a firm, fair price on it."
I close by adding:
"Think of it this way....if you do not collect fishing tackle and you seldom fish and do not intend on using this gear yourself what does it matter? Something is better than nothing no?
just a thought."
And I guess that is as simple as I can make it....
Just wanted to share some of my frustrations ~ Chuck
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Pilot
"The Pilot"
I found this little doosie at the bottom of a tackle box last year and it wasn't until recently that I found out what it was. This is the H.R. Stewart "Pilot" the lure dates to 1903. I was able to find and actual ad for the lure from a hardware magazine.This ad comes to us from the Hardware Dealers Magazine Vol.23 1905 Saturday, April 17, 2010
Stan Gibbs History
The Gibbs Story...Stan Gibbs, the creator of Gibbs Lures, began this company in 1946 when he first whittled unique wooden plugs that had the ability to attract fish. He began what is now the tradition of manufacturing quality wooden fishing lures with an outstanding record of consistently catching fish. More than a half century ago, Stan Gibbs took his love of fishing and turned it into a vocation.
His hand crafted fishing plugs that worked so well for him became the foundation products of this new enterprise. Names like Polaris Popper, Casting Swimmer, Pencil Popper, Needlefish, and Darter are still common names along the beach. Many others have been added along the way as new designs were developed and proven. Each plug had its own distinct characteristics but common throughout was the ability to cast considerable distances into the wind. Stan knew how important it was to reach breaking fish that were out of the reach of other lures.
For all of its 50 years of hand crafting saltwater fishing lures, Gibbs carries on the tradition of creating plugs from wood and other natural components despite the heavy competitive pressure from plastic manufacturers. This, we believe, sets us apart from those seeking to cut corners by producing a more synthetic product. Gibbs has been, and will continue to be a small, responsive family owned business dedicated to producing top quality lures with careful attention to details which have become synonymous with the Gibbs Lures name and
The manufacturing operation is now located in Cumberland, Rhode Island and owned by Dennis Ryan and Dan Smalley who continue to manufacture quality fishing lures the old fashioned way - by hand in the good old USA. The company has grown steadily since the earliest days when plugs produced numbered in the hundreds. Materials and methods of manufacture have also continually improved and yet still today each plug is hand carried through 50 or more manufacturing steps before shipping to our dealer's stores!
"Of utmost important to us, is our direct relationship with tackle shop dealers. In excess of 90% of these are also family owned, and maintaining this direct tie has been a vital element in our method of operation. We do not use distributors nor are we found in discount stores or mass marketing chains"
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