Hedd-Plug un-clogs the money!

Just wanted to post this wowzer that I just finished watching. A Heddon Hedd-Plug in a lunchtime special color. Sold at Auction for a whopping $500.00!

C.D. Mather Frog, Posted here because you wont see them often!!

Had to post this just for the hell of it. You may never get a chance to see one, so here is a good look at this awesome lure. Very mechanical, very neat!

More from the Runt Front - No Snags snag BIG Money

I followed these 2 auctions this week for Heddon No-Snag River runt Sinkers. Both were in Rare colors and managed to grab a pretty high price.
Here they are:

This XBW (blue shore) sold at $405.00

This no Snag in PAS (allen stripey) Commanded $836.51

Rare Runt Riot

This rare Heddon River Runt in red shore, color code XSK. I have never seen one in this color. Posted here for reference and your enjoyment.
Sold at auction for $350.00 Nice piece!!

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

Couple of other Quick Shots

Creek Chub Bait Co. Surface Dinger in Western Auto color "Yellow Skunk" $169.16

and then this awesome little bastard.....

Heddon Chugger in a rare color called "Yellow wing black-bird" $202.51

and the "reverse" of this same color "black-wing yellow bird"$550.00

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.

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 $1,225.00

I'll drink to that!

Bud_Hitail_2k024_99 (1)
Originally uploaded by ChucksTackleBox

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!

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

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

Stan Gibbs History

Stan Gibbs Lures are made right here in New England .

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 

50 years of hand crafting.

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"

Authentic Oscar Peterson Advertisement.

Incredible "Oscar Peterson's Decoys" Tin Sign

This tin-sign is an incredible piece and one that I suspect could complete a Peterson decoy collection. Raised-relief and most-likely dating to around the late 1930's to early 40's I simply cannot put into words how neat this sign is. Absolutely nothing wrong with this sign, no dents, not pits, no rust. Posted here for your enjoyment. - Chuck Brief history on Oscar Peterson as well as some examples of his work. Here.

Over the Edge Eger

I have never seen a large lure like this by Eger. This was an extremely rare lure from the 1930's and I am simply happy to see photos of one. This Eger "large game fish lure", Jointed Mammoth Lure, 3004-4 with the rare glass eyes hit the roof at $2,076.99
This one cam e complete in the original box a super combo and find.

ANTIQUES; Ice-Fishing Decoys Lure Other Species as Well

By RITA REIF

Published: February 16, 1992

Fish decoys -- lures without hooks vividly embellished with paints, glistening fins, glass eyes and iridescent glitter -- are the closest many collectors come to the sport that spawned them: ice fishing. Made since prehistoric times to attract fish so they could be speared through holes in the ice, these carvings evolved in the 20th century into witty, sometimes weird artifacts.

Ice fishing flourishes around the Great Lakes, the region that produced the majority of items in "Fish Decoys," an exhibition through March 28 at the American Primitive Gallery, 596 Broadway, south of Houston Street. Organized by Aarne Anton, the gallery owner, the show is the most ambitious dealer presentation of this folk art to date.

Of the 200 decoys, more than 150 were made before 1960. Except for three examples from Alaska that date to 2500 B.C, all are for sale. Among them are the American Indian carvings of the 19th and 20th centuries and decoys by major Midwestern craftsmen like Oscar Peterson, Hans Janner Sr. and Leroy Howell. Prices range from $90 each for several of the less decorative decoys to $12,500 for a 1930 spotted trout by Janner.

Fish decoys began to attract buyers other than sportsmen in the late 1970's. Mr. Anton, who has stocked decoys for a decade, said that anglers are still the most numerous collectors, but folk-art buffs of all kinds vie for the choicest specimens.

"Some buyers are vegetarians," he said. "I'm a Buddhist, and I wouldn't even consider catching or spearing a fish. When asked why I handle fish decoys, my answer is that I'm taking them out of circulation so they won't be used again."

Mr. Anton appreciates decoys for their variety, from the elaborately painted to those devoid of decoration, from the minnow-sized to those as large as sturgeons. He prefers the decoys of the Chippewa or Ojibwa Indians. "They're the plainest," he said. "Using the natural wood, the Indians stained or burned the surfaces. Some artisans hung bits of metal on the fins, and one decoy in the show is feathered."

Collectors often specialize in the works of certain carvers. Virtually none are signed, but many have been identified by specialists. "Oscar Peterson's decoys are among the more realistic," Mr. Anton said. "They have an aerodynamic shape and curvature that gives them a certain desirable movement in the water."

Howell's more stylized decoys, carved in abstract shapes and decorated with straight or wavy bands of solid color, also include fish patterned with large dots or flowers. "There's a linear quality to his carving and painting that reflects his trade as a house painter," Mr. Anton said. "He knew how to get sharp, crisp images. The eyes are always perfectly round, incised by a bullet shell."

Many of Janner's more sculptural fish are oiled or unfinished. Others are washed with a thin coat of paint that reveals the grain or are delicately adorned with impressionistic images. "In the water they seem alive," Mr. Anton said. "Janner favored walnut as a wood and used copper to make curvilinear fins that are unlike anyone else's."

In the exhibition, offbeat decoys outnumber the conventional carvings of bass, trout, pike, sunfish, shovelheads and suckers. Among the more unusual is a red and white fish hinged at the center to flip about in the water. A weathered, 29-inch-long sturgeon has eyes of screws and washers, a tin-can mouth and a tail wrapped with wire. There are fish with rocket shapes, leather tails, pearl eyes, mirrored sides and angel's wings for fins. One decoy is a bowling pin, painted orange with black spots fitted with tin fins and marble eyes.

"Others are carved or weighted so that they list to one side, as if wounded or sick," Mr. Anton said. "It's done to attract certain predators."

Prices for many fish decoys soared in the booming art market of the 1980's. Oscar Peterson's decoys, for example, which cost $200 to $300 in 1982, now range in price from $1,000 to $6,000. Prices also rose sharply in 1990 when "Beneath the Ice: The Art of the Fish Decoy," the first major museum exhibition on the subject, opened at the Museum of American Folk Art in New York. Two weeks before the show opened, a nine-inch-long Peterson trout sold at Sotheby's in New York for $18,700, a record at auction for a fish decoy. "Beneath the Ice" is on view through April 6 at the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, the final stop of its two-year tour.

"We sold more fish decoys than any other category of folk art in our stock at the Fall Antiques Show," Mr. Anton said. "Some people were discovering them for the first time, while others who bought one or two were doing what they do every year."

Heddon Magnum at a Maximum

Just a quick blurb about this recent e-bay auction for a Magnum Torpedo, Model 362, Color KCH in a vintage 1970's era Victor Comptometer box.
Hard to believe, but this one sold for $2,347.00!